Gifted to Fit: One Body, Many Parts: Effectual Functioning with Gifts of the Holy Spirit

By Deborah C. Bradley LMFT

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Dr. D. has completed an exceptional book that compares functions in the human body and the Spiritual Body (the Church). She points out that God's creation is diverse; yet we see patterns of order and consistency in design, function, and purpose. Two of God's masterpieces--the human body and the Spiritual Body--also reflect these patterns of order and consistency in operation and purpose. Functioning in the healthy human body serves as a model for effectual functioning in the Spiritual Body.

Similar to blood and air in the human body, the life of the Spiritual Body requires active engagement with the Blood of Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. And just as diverse parts in the human body are designed to fit and work together in systems, diverse parts in the Spiritual Body are gifted by the Holy Spirit to fit and work together in systems to accomplish God's agenda. Effectual functioning in the Spiritual Body requires the use of all gifts as God intended. Knowing this, the devil uses confusion and attacks to restrict, divide, or destroy Body parts, thus slowing the growth and limiting the effectiveness of the Spiritual Body.

In Gifted to Fit, Dr. D. applies many years of study and insights to show us how clarity about functioning in the Spiritual Body can be life-changing for the reader. Spiritual knowledge and insights diminish confusion and produce growth and love for the Lord and His Body. For a spiritual part, knowing and understanding one's gift/gift-mix, responsibility, and fit in the Body increases the ability to be an effective, unrestricted fruit bearer for the Lord through the Holy Spirit. With increased clarity comes increased responsibility for performance; therefore, she challenges every spiritual part to know the Holy Spirit and to exercise his or her gifts faithfully and fearlessly in the appropriate gift system(s) to benefit others and fulfil God's eternal purposes for the Spiritual Body, which is the Body of Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885401470

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Gifted to Fit

One Body, Many Parts: Effectual Functioning with Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Deborah C. Bradley, LMFT, PhD

ISBN 979-8-88540-146-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-147-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Deborah C. Bradley, LMFT, PhD

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Biblical references are from the New King James Version (NKJV) and the English Standard Version (ESV).

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Introduction

Part One: Comparing Living Organisms: Human Body and Spiritual Body

1

The Human Body: God-Designed

Consistency and Differentiation

Structure: One Head, One Body, Many Parts

One Head

One Body, Many Parts

Support Teams

Internal Communal Environment

Homeostasis

2

The Spiritual Body: God-Designed

Consistency and Differentiation

Differentiating Markers

Structure: One Head, One Body, Many Parts

One Head

One Body, Many Parts

Arrangement of Parts and Systems

Order

Internal Communal Environment

Homeostasis

3

Comparison: Functioning in Both Bodies

The Head (Brain)

The Body

Head, Neck, Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis, Limbs

Skeletal System: The Bones

Muscular System

Nervous System: Spinal Cord, Nerves

Respiratory System: Lungs

Circulatory System: Heart, Blood

Digestive System: Esophagus, Stomach, Intestines, Liver, Anus

Urinary System: Kidneys, Bladder, Ureter

Endocrine System: Glands, Pancreas

Immune System: Lymph System, Spleen, White Blood Cells

Integumentary System: Skin, Nails, Hair

Reproductive System

Digestive, Nervous (Sensory), and Skeletal Systems: Mouth, Tongue, Teeth

Digestive and Circulatory Systems: Liver, Pancreas, Gallbladder, Blood

Digestive and Immune Systems: Greater Omentum, Lesser Omentum

Circulatory and Immune Systems: Veins, Arteries

Skeletal and Muscular Systems: Cartilage, Ligaments, Tendons, Joints, Ducts, Discs

Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems: Limbs—Legs, Feet, Toes, Arms, Hands, Fingers, Nails

Sensory, Nervous, and Integumentary System: Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Throat, Skin

Part One Summary

Part Two: Functioning in the Holy Spirit

4

The Holy Spirit: His Time, His Gifts

His Time

His Gifts

Types of Spiritual Gifts—Not Talents

Gifts—Not Talents

Responsibilities of Gifts—Specific Outcomes

Spiritual Gift. Greek Word: function(s)

Exercise of Gifts: Women and Men

Women of God

Utility or Not

5

Spiritual Gift Systems Conceptualized

Systems and Gifts: Where and How Gifts Fit

Functioning in Spiritual Gift Systems

Office/Leadership Gift System (Acts 6:3–4; Eph. 4:11–16)

Outreach Gift System (Matt. 28:18–20)

Education Gift System (Growth) (Matt. 28:18–20; 2 Pet. 1:1–10, 2:1–3)

Distribution Gift System (John 6:63; 1 Cor. 16:1–2; 1 Tim. 6:7–19; 1 John 1:5–10, 3:4–24)

In-Reach Gift System (Acts 2:42–47, 4:32–35, 6:1–4, 20:34–35)

Protection Gift System (Matt. 7:15, 24:10–14; Acts 20:28–31; Eph. 6:10–20; 1 Pet. 5:1–11)

Evangelism Gift System (Addition) (Matt. 18:28–30; 2 Cor. 5:11, 17–21)

Expressions of Gifts within Systems

Where and How Gifts Fit

Relationship of Gifts and Offices

Offices and Assignments

Offices and Targeted Systems

Purpose of Gifts and Systems: Build and Advance

Tasks and Responsibilities of Gift Systems

Office/Leadership Gift System

Outreach Gift System

In-Reach Gift System

Education Gift System

Protection Gift System

Distribution Gift System

Evangelism Gift System

6

Functioning in All Seasons

Contributions at Any Age

Readiness for Ministry

Passing the Baton

We All Benefit

Summary

Part Three: Protecting, Preserving, and Perfecting the Spiritual Body

7

Protecting the Human and Spiritual Bodies

Total Dependence on the Godhead

Diet, Prayer, Vigilance, and Discipline

Diet and Prayer

Vigilance and Discipline

Attacks, Injuries, Diseases, and Self-Inflicted Wounds

Self-Inflicted Wounds

8

Preserving the Human and Spiritual Bodies

Community, Interdependence, and Collaboration

Community

Interdependence

Collaboration

Lanes, Transparency, and Communication

Lanes

Transparency

Communication

Courage to Act

9

Perfecting (Maturing) the Spiritual Body

Spiritual Foci: The Church Is Eternal

Led by the Holy Spirit

Changing Paradigms

Culture of Spiritual Activities

Fruit of the Spirit and Fruit-Bearing

Summary

Part Four: Combatting Spiritual Attacks

10

Spiritual Deterrents: Hiccups, Blockages, Injuries

Many Foul Spirits

spirit of Fear

Doubt

Timid

Runner

spirit of Bondage

Never-Bend (NB)

Procrastination (Cras)

Secrecy

Unclean spirit

Cover-up (Q)

Meddler

Malice

spirit of the World

Pride

Know-it-All (KiA)

Gamer

(a spirit) Lust

Mammon

Self-Interest (SeI)

Greed

(a spirit) Seducing

Gullible

Toss

Follower

Unhealthy (Foul) Attitudes and Behaviors

Incompetent and Unprepared

Lazy and Unwilling

Church Business and the Business of Church

Nontransparency and Avoidance

The Boys Club Mentality

11

Spiritual Diseases: Food and/or Functioning

spirit of Error

Deception

Lies

Neglect

spirit of Infirmity (Disabling)

Disrupt

Detract

Apathy

Evil/Wicked spirit

Scripture Warp

Scripture Whip

Suppress

spirit of Anti-Christ

Confusion

Division

Position-for-Sale (PoS)

12

Spiritual Directives: Gifts as Offense and Defense

Strategies to Protect the Word (What Is Consumed)

Sowing Seeds of Truth

Strategies to Protect the Work (How It Functions)

Working Together in Love

Strategies to Protect the Worth of the Body (Whose It Is)

Walk in the Spirit

When to Confront, Expose, Restore, or Remove Parts

Restoring Parts Who Stray

Removing Parts Who Refuse to Reconnect

Consistent Stand for Truth

Part Five: Reflecting on Fit: Which Gifted Part Are You?

13

Your Gift/Gift-Mix, Responsibilities, and Fit

Your Gift/Gift-Mix

Confident about Gifts and Fit

Uncertain about Gift and/or Fit

Questions to Prayerfully Consider

Responsibilities and Fit

Assorted Gifts That Fit

14

Opportunities in the Spiritual Body, Workplace, World

Doing Good: The Body

Doing Good: The Workplace and the World

Openings: Rooms

List of Spiritual Gifts

Disciplines/Occupations

Roles

Venues

15

Call to Action: Assessment and Fit

Assessment: Fit in the Body

Leadership

Equipping the Body

Spiritual Parts

Your Gifts Will Make Room

Call to Action

Epilogue

Epilogue: Personal Reflections

Appendices

Table I: Comparison: God's Masterpieces

Table II: Human Body Systems and Functions

Table III: Structure: Human and Spiritual Body

Table IV: Spiritual Gifts

Table V: Spiritual Body, Gifts, and Functions (Responsibilities)

Table VI: Spiritual Gift Systems Descriptions (See Chapter 5)

Table VII: Comparison: Spiritual Systems, Human Systems, Intended Outcomes

Table VIII: Spiritual Offices: Assignments

References

About the Author

Acknowledgements

To the Precious God-head—Father, Son, Holy Spirit: To You belong the glory and honor forever. This book would not be possible without the intimate and wondrous guidance of the Holy Spirit.

To my precious children—Lenette C. and Victor A. Brown, Leonard C. Bradley, III: Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, and cheer-leading all the way—from start to finish of this book.

To a special man—W.J. Brown: Thank you for your love and support. You added your voice to the cheering team and also encouraged me to complete the book.

To my family and my spiritual village, including my spiritual sister (Toi Jackson): Thank you for your ongoing encouragement as you anticipated the arrival of this book.

To Traci-Ayn Reynolds, Megan Andrews, and the Christian Faith Publishing Family: Thank you for your dedication and patience along this publishing journey.

Hallelujah! My soul rejoices!

Prologue

Jesus said, Thou art Peter… Upon this rock [Peter's confession of faith in Jesus] I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18, NKJV).

I was baptized into the Body of Christ in October 1984 at the Fortieth Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee. As I grew in the Faith, I was deeply grateful to God for His grace toward me and His provisions for me. Like many others, I realized that God had richly blessed me, and I wanted to use the gifts and abilities He had given me to serve Him. I wanted to meaningfully contribute to the work of the Body of Christ. However, I became increasingly aware of the constraints (implicit and explicit) placed on the roles and functions of members, especially women in the Body of Christ.

Some interpretations of the Word make it difficult to distinguish human mandates (traditions, culture, and personal biases) from God's mandates. I have spoken with members (women and men) who want to do something for the Lord but don't know what to do or how to begin. There are limitations and barriers—both real and imagined. Although some constraints are by God's design, many are not. Lack of clarity and traditions of men create undue burdens in the Body of Christ.

I saw that the world gladly finds ways to utilize (and pay for) the gifts and talents of members of the Body in order to accomplish worldly agendas. In the workplace, the world fully embraces and pays for the use of my gifts and talents. I wondered how I and all members could fully serve the Lord within the Body of Christ to accomplish spiritual agendas—limited only by God's constraints.

Throughout the years, I developed a growing fascination with Paul's use of the human body to illustrate work and unity in the Body of Christ.

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one Body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. (Rom. 12:4–8 ESV)

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one Body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:12–13 ESV)

What can we learn from Paul's analogy? The human body is an amazing example of diverse body parts existing and functioning purposely as one organism. The Body of Christ can do the same. When we look carefully, there are many similarities in the structures and functioning of the human body and the Spiritual Body that must be understood if we are to effectively and powerfully accomplish God's agenda in the world. This is the purpose of the Body of Christ!

The structure and functions of parts in the human body are consistent—regardless of time in history, geographic location, changing cultures, value systems, language, height, size, or skin color. Other than reproductive organs and their functions that differ but complement each other in males and females, all human body organs are designed and arranged to function in the same way. Likewise, structure and functions of parts in the Spiritual Body are also consistent. To me, Paul's analogy is a God-inspired prescription for harmonious functioning in the Body of Christ—anytime in history, anywhere in the world.

In 1994, the Lord placed the idea for this book on my heart. Thoughts continued to develop as the years passed. These thoughts and other ideas were written on pieces of paper and stored in boxes in my garage to be reviewed later, but the need to write this book did not go away. The Lord would not let me forget. Recent events in the Body of Christ highlighted the urgency to write and finish this book.

The Body of Christ is a spiritual organism with many diverse parts. I am a Spiritual Body part. My gifts are intentional. I have a gift and function within the Body of Christ. I am gifted to fit.

It has taken twenty-seven years to complete this book. It could not have been done without God, the Holy Spirit. His guidance continues to be phenomenal. I pray that you will know where and how you fit in the Lord's Body. And when you know, contribute fearlessly, fervently, and faithfully.

The Body needs you, and each part matters. There are varieties of gifts—same Holy Spirit; varieties of service—same Lord; varieties of activities—same God, overall and through all (1 Cor. 12:1–7). Heterogeneity of gifts, services, and activities are necessary to accomplish God's agenda.

We need each other. Unity in the Holy Spirit demands that we work harmoniously together. What are your gift(s), responsibilities, and medium of service? If I were to juxtapose systems in the human body and the Spiritual Body, which gifted part are you, and where are you gifted to fit?

Introduction

This book is about effectual functioning in the Spiritual Body, i.e., the Church, which is the Body of Christ. In the following pages, I compare the functioning of two of God's masterpieces—the human body and the Spiritual Body—to help illustrate healthy functioning in the Body of Christ, and to add to your knowledge and understanding about your fit and purpose in the Body of Christ. Just like each part in the human body is made to fit, each part in the Spiritual Body is gifted to fit.

Effectual functioning in the Spiritual Body requires the use of all gifts as God intended. Knowing your purpose, based on your gifts will help to determine what you do and the system in which you function. Location (arrangements) and contributions in systems do not indicate status or importance. We are one, male and female, in Christ (Gal. 3:28).

God created, set in motion, and loves these two organisms: the human body and the Spiritual Body of Christ; therefore, Satan continues to do everything in his power to attack and/or destroy them. Two of the devil's most effective strategies are (a) misinformation or confusion about gifts and functions and (b) minimization of the Presence and work of the Holy Spirit. By examining functioning in the human body, we can learn a lot about the work of the Holy Spirit and functioning in the Spiritual Body.

Functioning in the human body provides a clear template for performance, attitude, outcomes, unity, and growth in the Spiritual Body as God's purposes are fulfilled in the world. We must not be deceived by demonic schemes of misinformation, mystification, misunderstandings, messes, misses, and/or minimization. But first, let me provide some context.

God created the human body (male and female) and its many parts (Gen. 1:26–27). King David, the psalmist, declared, For You formed my inward parts, You knitted me together in my mother's womb… I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13, 14). Human beings were created with a free will, along with God's will and purpose for them—family, worship, growth, maturity, reproduction, dominion, glory, and fellowship with Him. In the beginning, God had fellowship with man and woman.

And then man and woman sinned and cut off fellowship with God (Gen. 2:16, 17, 3:1–24; Rom. 3:23). However, God the Father already had a plan for redemption and restoration for the human race. The plan provided eternal life with God through the process of spiritual rebirth. This rebirth adds the individual to a spiritual family and renews fellowship with God. Both creation and redemption had the participation of all Persons of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:1, 2, 26, 27; John 1:1–14; Gal. 4:4–5).

God the Son fulfilled the plan of redemption for humankind (John 3:16, 17; John 1:9–13; Col. 1:13–14). Removal of sin required the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22), and Lord Jesus's death on the cross paid the price for sin. He made it possible for anyone to be saved from the power of sin and eternal death. Anyone who is willing to hear, believe and obey—to experience a spiritual rebirth—is added to God's spiritual family. The indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit is given to each born-again person as the guarantee of eternal life (John 3:3; Eph. 1:13–14).

It is God's will that no one should perish (John 3:16; 2 Pet. 3:9); therefore, the opportunity is continuously offered to participate in God's plan and be added to His family—one Spiritual Body of fellow believers, fellow spiritual parts. However, it is important to note that not any spiritual body will do. Not just any body labelled spiritual will satisfy God's requirement.

God, the Son—the Lord Jesus established one Spiritual Body—the Church, the called out group of believers who make up the Body of Christ (Matt. 16:18–19; Eph. 4:4–6; Col. 1:18). Therefore, Church, Body, and Body of Christ will refer to the one Spiritual Body whenever it is used in this book. A person is added to the one Spiritual Body through belief in Jesus Christ—His birth, death, and resurrection—and obedience by baptism into the one Spiritual Body He established (John 3:3; Gal. 3:27–28). This is the process of rebirth. This is the message of reconciliation (Col. 1:18–23; 2 Cor. 5:11, 18–21).

Each human added to the Spiritual Body is transformed into a spiritual member or spiritual part (2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:9–10). This is a spiritual process executed by God the Holy Spirit. His continued indwelling Presence is the power that energizes, transforms, and enables a Christian to live and function as a new creation—a functioning spiritual part in one Spiritual Body in the world.

God's will and purpose for the Spiritual Body is consistent with His original will and purpose for the human body—family, worship, growth, maturity, spiritual reproduction, dominion, glory, and eternal fellowship with the Godhead, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. After spiritual rebirth, the work continues. The Church is the collective Spiritual Body of Christ that fulfills God's will and purpose in the world, as each part grows, matures, and is continuously transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus (Eph. 4:15–16). The Church continues the work that Lord Jesus began, until He comes again.

Human beings are essential in fulfilling God's plan through diverse physical and spiritual activities. Observing and understanding how a human organism operates with many distinct parts can provide insight and guidance into how one spiritual organism (comprised of translated and transformed human organisms) can operate with many diverse spiritual parts. When functioning well and according to God's design, both the physical (human) and the spiritual (Church) bring honor and glory to God.

Knowing these critical facts, Satan works to confuse, tear down, and/or kill both the human body and the Spiritual Body (individually or collectively) so that God's purposes are not accomplished (John 10:10; 1 Pet. 5:8). The devil launches a steady onslaught that takes many forms (Eph. 6:12). Misinformation, confusion, and disbelief are powerful and effective demonic strategies that can immobilize purposeful activities. Therefore, an important goal of this book is to help lessen some of the confusion, and provide insights into how the Spiritual Body can function more effectively—even when attacked. My overarching purpose is to bring honor and glory to God.

Please note that this book's primary focus is functioning in the Spiritual Body—how we must exist and work together in the Body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This book is not necessarily about the appearance of the Spiritual Body. The Spiritual Body can look pretty on the outside and still be torn up, burnt-out, and unhealthy on the inside due to malfunctioning and chaotic functioning, i.e., body parts operating out of purpose and design. Adhering to God's design and operating as God intended will provide the look and appearance that God planned. And God's look often does not fit nicely into human's perception of form, function and/or beauty.

By comparing the functioning in both bodies—human and Spiritual, it is my hope and prayer that one or more of the following will occur:

You will gain insight about gifts and their responsibilities in the Body.

You will increase your understanding and confirmation of your gift/gift-mix.

You will be clear about your role(s) and responsibilities as a spiritual part.

You will know where and how you fit in the Body.

Most importantly, you will be more keenly aware of the very critical role of the Holy Spirit in your life and that of the Body of Christ. Subsequently, you will seek ways to exercise your gifts in the work of the Body or find ways to function even more effectively for the Lord—anywhere. And you will no longer wonder about your role and your gifts because you will know that you are gifted to fit in the Body of Christ.

I have arranged this book into five major parts to help facilitate these objectives:

Comparing Living Organisms: Human Body and Spiritual Body

Functioning in the Holy Spirit

Protecting, Preserving, and Perfecting the Spiritual Body

Combatting Spiritual Attacks

Reflecting on Fit: Which Gifted Part Are You?

Part One

Part One: Comparing Living Organisms: Human Body and Spiritual Body

Both the human body and the Spiritual Body are living organisms with specialized parts. The human body is a physical organism comprised of individual body parts with properties designed by God to perform and produce specific outcomes, while the Spiritual Body is a spiritual organism comprised of individual members with spiritual properties given by the Holy Spirit to perform and produce specific spiritual outcomes. To remain consistent when discussing body parts, I will use parts and spiritual parts interchangeably throughout this book to refer to members of the Spiritual Body.

Most of us have some understanding of how the human body is arranged and how it works. We know that each body has one head, and the head of each body gives directives for the activities of the many parts in that specific body. Many of us happily exist knowing that the many parts within our individual bodies work together for the health of the body. This is the same pattern for the Spiritual Body.

We can understand how the human body works, yet become so confused when it comes to the working of the Spiritual Body. This is exactly what Satan wants to do—keep the Spiritual Body and its individual parts confused about who they are, what they should be doing, and how they should be working together. He also tries to keep the Body ignorant about the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

In his letters to the Churches at Rome, Ephesus and Corinth, Apostle Paul described the Church as one body with many members (Rom. 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 12:12, 14, 20). He noted that Jesus is the Head and the Church is His body (Eph. 1:22, 23; Eph. 4:15, 16; Col. 1:18, 24). Paul points out that each part is valued because of its role and function, and each part contributes to the health of the entire Spiritual Body (1 Cor. 12:21–26).

In part 1, I describe similarities in designs of the human body and the Spiritual Body—how each is arranged (structure); what is in it (composition); how each one is supposed to work (function); and how God maintains a pattern of order, constancy, and continuity amid diversity and change. I have also illustrated the comparison in the appendices (tables I and III). Since this book is about functioning in the Body of Christ, much more attention will be given to the Spiritual Body.

1

The Human Body: God-Designed

The human body is a beautiful and complex living organism. It has aesthetic components and inherent worth. God created and designed it that way. It can reproduce after its kind—another human body, but the exact same body cannot be replicated. Each human body is a masterpiece.

The body has parts of varying sizes, shapes, functions, textures, and colors. Some parts are external (skin, limbs, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, breasts, etc.). Yet there are numerous unseen parts in the body (e.g., the Greater Omentum)—parts we may never know unless we take the time to read and understand the human body.

Many of us know where major organs (heart, lungs, stomach, liver, skin, etc.) are placed in and on the body; what they do for the body; when and how they are supposed to work. But we may be unaware of the critical contributions of many unseen or unacknowledged parts. Not knowing that they are there or failing to acknowledge them does not lessen their value or their contributions. They continue to work, quietly performing—similar to unsung heroes/heroines.

Many parts are not pretty—especially nonvisible or internal parts, but they are very effective. I must admit I was startled by the look of the greater omentum, yet very grateful for its protective role in my body. One of its functions is to protect parts of the abdomen from other diseased and/or inflamed organs. Forms and appearances of body parts align with their purposes.

Within the human body, there is division of labor.