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The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The 7 Gifts of The Holy Spirit
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to people to further their sanctification and help "complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them."
St. Thomas Aquinas preached that four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (fortitude, reverence, and fear of the Lord or wonder and awe) direct the will toward God.
In some respects, the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be likened to human virtues but a key distinction is that the virtues operate under the impetus of human reason (prompted by grace), whereas the gifts operate under the impetus of the Holy Spirit. Virtues can be used when one wishes, but the gifts operate only when the Holy Spirit wishes. If human virtues are likened to the oars of a boat; the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the sails.
St. Thomas Aquinas drew the following relationship between the seven Capital Virtues and the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
The gift of wisdom corresponds to the virtue of charity.
The gift of understanding corresponds to the virtue of faith.
The gift of counsel (right judgement) corresponds to the virtue of prudence.
The gift of fortitude corresponds to the virtue of courage.
The gift of knowledge corresponds to the virtue of faith.
The gift of piety corresponds to the virtue of justice.
The gift of fear of the Lord corresponds to the virtue of hope.
The seven gifts of the holy spirit are often represented as doves in medieval text, and especially figure in depictions of the Tree of Jesse which shows the Genealogy of Jesus. In many such depictions the doves encircle a bust of Christ.
Wisdom
The gift of wisdom gives the confirmed the gift to see the worlds though God's eyes and viewpoint. This will help us to understand the purpose of God's plan for us and for the world.
Understanding
With the gift of understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by all the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live.
Counsel ( Right Judgement)
With the gift of right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus.
Fortitude (Courage)
With the gift of courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or even physical harm and death. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil, especially with regard to goods or evils that are difficult.
Knowledge
With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God's Revelation, especially as expressed in the life and words of Jesus Christ. A person with knowledge is always learning more about the scriptures and tradition. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts.
Piety (Reverence)
With the gift of reverence, sometimes called piety, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the church. A person with reverence recognises our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit's instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father.
Fear of the Lord (Awe of God)
With the gift of wonder and awe we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Also known as knowing God is all powerful. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in its correct location with respect to God: we are the finite, dependent creatures, and He is the infinite, all-powerful Creator.
