Back in 2011 I started my first church job as the Discipleship Coordinator. I have always loved growth and personality assessments to help others figure out their calling or purpose. I am Myers Briggs certified from a previous job and thought that working with spiritual gifts would give me even more insight into the human soul and purpose.
Today I discuss what spiritual gifts are, how you discover them and how you use them.
Unique Abilities
What exactly are spiritual gifts, you might wonder? They are the unique abilities, talents, and insights that God gives us to use to encourage and help others. Rather than the personality tests we take at work, to help us grow professionally. These gifts help other people grow by trusting us and our insights. Each of us is born with a set of spiritual gifts, though they may manifest in different ways and at different times throughout our lives.
Connect with Others
Spiritual gifts have the ability to connect us with others on a deeper level. When we embrace and share our gifts with others, we not only enrich our own lives but also uplift and inspire those around us. Our gifts have the power to heal, comfort, enlighten, and transform others.
How Many Gifts Are There?
Spiritual gifts are listed throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. According to various Bible resources, there can be anywhere from 7 to 21 depending on which part of the Bible you reference and how you interpret what the Bible says. Through my own research, I have found the 7 that are agreed upon by most Bible scholars and groups. These seven spiritual gifts are found in both Isaiah (old testament) and Romans (new testament). These are referred to by several names but the main point is the same.
Wisdom:
Firmly believing God’s power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose. This gift allows you to see things from God’s perspective. You have such confidence in God and His word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction.
Intuition:
This gift allows one to clearly distinguish truth by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error or human power. We commonly refer to this as a gut feeling or inner knowledge that guides decision-making. This gift helps us make wise decisions and know what is true. Discernment is the ability to perceive the truth or the spiritual significance behind people, situations, or messages. Individuals with this gift have a keen sense of insight and can often distinguish between what is genuine and what is deceptive or misleading.
Encouragement:
Using words of encouragement to comfort, console, and counsel others. Guiding people to help them be all God wants them to be.
Teaching:
Explaining and imparting biblical truths and principles in a way that deepens understanding and equips others for spiritual growth. Many pastors and church leaders have this gift.
Awe and Wonder:
Giving God your undivided attention with hope, awe or wonder. Having a joyful awareness of God’s grandeur with a grateful realization that only in Him do our hearts find true peace.
Service:
The desire and ability to serve others selflessly with love. Individuals with this gift often find fulfillment in acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion. They strive to make a positive difference in the world through their actions.
Leadership:
The ability to inspire, guide, and empower others on their spiritual journeys. Leaders with spiritual gifts often exhibit qualities such as vision, integrity, compassion, and the ability to foster growth and transformation in those they lead.
What does God say about spiritual gifts?
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10).
- Each believer is given at least one gift. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
- The Holy Spirit determines who receives which gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
- Each gift is equally valuable. (1 Corinthians 12:21-26)
- We are to use our gifts to serve others for the benefit of others. (Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:12)
- We are commanded to use our gifts. (1 Peter 4:10)
- Exercising our gifts will help us develop spiritual maturity. (Ephesians 4:13)
How to Discover Your Gifts
God will reveal our gifts through His Holy Spirit. People can pray and study what God says about gifts in the Bible. We should also remember God uses others to affirm our gift. You may also use a spiritual gift assessment tool to reveal your gifts.
Use Your Gifts
In Romans 12, Paul tells us how to live a Christian life. We have a choice about the way we live and the way we use the gifts God has given us. Paul encourages us to live in a way that glorifies God.
Spiritual Growth
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the spiritual gifts that lie within you. What unique talents and abilities do you possess? How can you share these gifts with the world in a way that brings joy, healing, and transformation? Remember, you are a divine being, infinitely worthy and infinitely capable. Embrace your spiritual gift(s), and watch as the world around you lights up with the radiance of your soul.