How To Control Spiritual Gifts

Learning about our spiritual gift(s) is a fascinating subject because it allows us to learn something new about ourselves.

A spiritual gift is something God has chosen for you personally so that you can serve and use your distinctive aptitude to assist the church on earth advance.

God has chosen people to carry out his mission. For reasons only he knows and understands, he chose this course of action. From a human standpoint, we may question if this was the wisest move. After all, the sky is the limit when it comes to what God could have accomplished. He had the option of speaking to lost people through angels. He surely utilized them on a number of major instances in the Bible. Alternatively, God could have produced a particular breed of messengers who would never let him down—a breed of messengers who would never fail him “He needed a “sin-proof” instrument to faithfully broadcast his Word. God, for that matter, could have just stuck his head through the sky and shouted, “Hello, universe! You're not God, and I'm God!” God, on the other hand, has chosen men and women to carry out his mission among humanity.

We must make advantage of everything that Jesus Christ has made available to us as we seek to follow and be utilized by him. The gifts of the Spirit are one of Jesus' greatest gifts to his church and to us as individuals. Why has he lavished these blessings on us? The Bible says this about the crucial role they play in believers' lives:

Spiritual Gifts Help Us to Grow in Christ's Knowledge. Some people get infatuated with spiritual abilities rather than Jesus as a result of being sidetracked by them. Instead of signs and marvels following believers, Christians began to follow signs and wonders. This is an indication of immaturity spiritually. A. B. Simpson, a Christian author and pastor, wrote these wise words:

Spiritual gifts aren't the goal; they're the means to get there. They aren't toys to be enjoyed; they are tools to be used in construction and weapons to be used in combat. When we use them for God's glory rather than our own, we will be more effective.

Spiritual Gifts Should Be Employed. It is possible to squander a gift. However, by doing so, you defy God and deprive the church of a blessing. As a result, we must make use of the gifts he has bestowed upon us. Indeed, it must be an affront to God for us to dismiss a gift that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us by claiming that it isn't vital enough to use.

In the Body of Christ, each Spiritual Gift has a unique role to play. Every gift that God has given to the church, the body of Christ, is significant. Some gifts, like preaching, teaching, and prophecy, may appear to be more vital than others, like hospitality and service. All of these gifts, however, have been given by God to build up his church. None of these gifts should be dismissed or taken for granted.

So, what spiritual gifts has God bestowed upon his people? Here's a rundown:

ADMINISTRATION: The capacity to use planning, organization, and supervisory skills to guide a church or ministry toward the successful achievement of God-given goals.

APOSTLE: A person who is sent to spread the gospel to new places. You may have heard of missionaries who go to different places to help spread the gospel; these individuals are known as apostles. An apostle can also serve as a leader for other churches or ministries, as well as provide spiritual guidance.

DISCERNMENT: The ability to distinguish truth from falsehood by determining if a behavior or teaching comes from God or from an unholy source.

EVANGELISM: The ability to effectively preach the gospel message, particularly to nonbelievers.

EXHORTATION: The ability to provide encouragement, comfort, and support in order to assist someone in becoming all that God intends them to be.

FAITH: People who have this gift have such faith in God's power and promises that they can maintain their faith no matter what is thrown at them. They can also defend and advance their beliefs by standing up for the church and their faith.

GIVING: Those who have this gift are especially willing and able to share whatever resources they have without expecting anything in return.

HEALING: God's ability to repair others' bodily, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

HELPS: This gift allows someone to support or assist members of the body of Christ so that they can focus on ministering to others.

HOSPITALITY: The ability to make anyone, even strangers, feel at ease in one's own house or church as a way of discipleship or service.

KNOWLEDGE: This is a gift given by someone who actively seeks to understand the Bible. This individual might also appreciate examining scriptural facts.

LEADERSHIP: This ability identifies a person who can stand in front of a congregation, direct the congregation with care and attention, and motivate them to achieve the church's objectives.

MERCY: This is the defining characteristic of someone who is sensitive to the plight of others. It shows up in the form of compassion and encouragement, as well as a desire to help someone who is in need.

PROPHECY: The ability to communicate God's message to others. This can occasionally include foresight or visions of the future. This ability should only be used to encourage or warn others.

SERVING:A gift for identifying tasks that the body of Christ requires and utilizing existing resources to complete them.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES: The miraculous ability to communicate in a language other than one's own (one that has not been learned).

TEACHING: The ability to successfully teach from the Bible and transmit it to others for their spiritual growth and knowledge.

WISDOM: The ability to sort through facts and data in order to figure out what has to be done for the church.

It's worth noting that not every Christian believes God still bestows all of these spiritual abilities. Some believe that certain talents, such as speaking in tongues, were passed down just at a time in biblical history when they were needed and are no longer needed now.

• Did any of the above descriptions strike a chord with you as you read them? It's possible that's the gift or gifts you've received.
• You can ask your Christian friends to tell you about the gifts they see in you—they can frequently see what you can't and can tell you about the skills God has given you.
• You can pray about it; if we ask God to guide us toward whatever gifts He has given us, he will do so.
• Some churches provide classes to help you find your spiritual gifts. Check with a church leader to see whether this is something they provide.
• You can also take an online spiritual gifts exam, which you can locate by searching online. But a word of caution: these tests aren't always accurate, so take the results with a grain of salt and keep praying for the answer.

While we're pursuing our spiritual gifts, it's easy to lose sight of Jesus. They can easily become idols to us, therefore don't let this distract you from the only person who matters.

Furthermore, once we identify the gift or gifts we possess, we may become pigeonholed within them. You don't have to be a pastor just because you have a gift for teaching! Each gift has various applications, and your mentors, friends, and church leaders may assist you in determining how to effectively apply those remarkable God-given abilities.

You may also discover that your gifts evolve over time. For example, you can discover that you gain the gift of faith as you grow in your religion. This just indicates that your faith in Jesus is growing stronger, and you're getting more secure in sharing your beliefs. However, as we grow older, gain insight, have new experiences, and continue our walk with the Lord, our spiritual abilities will alter as well. Consider it as a software update from God!

Start using your gift(s) to praise God once you've determined which one(s) you have. You are furthering the Kingdom of God by volunteering in a ministry or around your church with your spiritual gifts. That is true regardless of how minor the task appears to be.

You'll be shocked at how fortunate your time will be if you find a location to serve (volunteering is frequently referred to as “serving”) that utilizes at least one of your abilities. You may have noticed how simple it is for you; God has given you a divine gift that you are naturally gifted at, and it just comes naturally to you! You might be shocked by how much you appreciate exercising your new gift muscle as well.

Ask a leader at your church where volunteers are needed and explore what would be a good fit for your skill set. If you have the gift of mercy, for example, a hospital or jail ministry would be a good fit for you. Alternatively, if you have a natural sense of hospitality, greeting new people or setting up for events can be the greatest fit. You might be an excellent complement to a prayer ministry if you have the gift of exhortation.

Remember that your gifts can be used in a variety of ways, so don't feel obligated to do something just because it appears to be appropriate for your gifts on the surface. If an assignment isn't bringing you delight, look for anything else to accomplish. Joy is a good indicator of what your gift is; if an activity makes you happy, you've discovered your expertise and fit.

Now go find out what gifts God has given you and put them to good use in the Kingdom!

The New Believer's Bible is specifically created to aid new Christians in reading, studying, and comprehending the Bible. It has features that aid Christians in growing and deepening their faith while also laying the groundwork for their new life in Christ.

Where to Put Your Spiritual Gifts to Work: Practical Advice on Finding Your Ministry Niche

What is the highest spiritual gift?

Wisdom is regarded as the earliest and most important of the gifts. It affects the intellect as well as the will. It both illumines the mind and instills an inclination to the divine, according to St. Bernard. “The latter is a view taken by the mind, while the former is an experience undergone by the heart; one is light, the other love, and so they connect and complete one another,” Adolphe Tanquerey OP defined the distinction between wisdom and understanding. The theological virtue of charity is perfected by a wise and compassionate heart.

How do you recognize a spiritual person?

The first evidence of a spiritual person is their lack of fear. When you have a fear or a chronic worry, that fear takes over your life and you are unable to be in the present moment. Fear of public speaking, fear of heights, and fear of bugs are the three most common fears among Americans. Many people, however, are terrified of death, rejection, loneliness, failure, illness, or making poor judgments. Spiritual people understand how to yield to forces beyond their control. In this way, they are similar to children in that they know how to ignore their minds and live fearlessly.

How do you get spiritual discernment?

Because every decision must be made in line with God's will, Christian spiritual discernment can be distinguished from other types of discernment. Christian discernment is defined as a decision-making process in which an individual discovers something that can lead to future action. God leads the individual through the process of Christian spiritual discernment to help them make the greatest decision possible. In Christian spiritual discernment, the greatest approach to arrive at the best option is to look for internal and outward indicators of God's action and then apply them to the situation at hand. Christian discernment also places a strong emphasis on Jesus and making decisions that are consistent with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament. Christian discernment differs from secular discernment in that it focuses on God and Jesus while making decisions. Ignatius of Loyola is widely regarded as a master of spirit discernment. Ignatian discernment is named after Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), who developed his own distinct method of Catholic discernment. Ignatian discernment focuses on perceiving God in all aspects of life and uses a series of Spiritual Exercises to help people make better life decisions. The Spiritual Exercises are intended to assist those who are confronted with a significant life decision. Identifying the issue, spending time to pray about the choice, making a wholehearted decision, discussing the choice with a mentor, and lastly trusting the decision made are the seven steps of discernment to be followed.

Why does God give spiritual gifts?

The New Testament has a number of listings of spiritual gifts, the majority of which are found in the Pauline epistles. Although each list is distinct, there is some overlap.

The charismata were prophesied in the Book of Joel (2:28) and promised by Christ (Mark 16:17–18), according to Christians. This promise was realized on Pentecost Day and as the church spread around the world. Paul devoted much of his First Epistle to the Corinthians (chapters 12–14) to spiritual gifts in order to rectify misuse surrounding spiritual talents in Corinth.

Two Greek phrases are translated as “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12. The word pneumatika (“spirituals” or “things of the Spirit”) appears in verse 1. The word charisma is used in verse 4. The word comes from the Greek word charis, which meaning “grace.” The terms diakonia (translated “administrations,” “ministries,” or “service”) and energemata (“operations” or “inworkings”) are used in verses 5 and 6 to describe the nature of spiritual gifts. The term “manifestation (phanerosis) of the Spirit” is used in verse 7.

Christians interpret spiritual gifts as enablements or capacities conferred by God on individuals, based on these scriptural texts. These cannot be earned or merited because they are freely supplied by God. These are activities or manifestations of the Holy Spirit, not of the gifted person, even though they are carried out via persons. They are to be used for the benefit of others, and they are given to the church as a whole rather than to individual members. The gifts are distributed in a variety of ways; no single person will have all of them. The church is edified (built up), exhorted (encouraged), and comforted through spiritual gifts.

Many think that there are as many gifts as there are needs in the church of Christ, despite the fact that Paul did not mention all of the Spirit's gifts. The gifts have been categorized in the past based on their similarities and differences with other gifts. Some categorize them into three groups based on Old Testament offices. Any gift that involves teaching, encouraging, or rebuking others is considered “prophetic.” Mercy and concern for the poor are examples of “priestly” gifts, as is intercession before God. Gifts involving church management or government are referred to as “kingly.” Others classify them as “gifts of knowledge” (words of wisdom, word of knowledge, differentiating between spirits), “gifts of speech” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and “gifts of power” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy) (faith, healing, miracles). The gifts have also been divided into those that promote the church's inner growth (apostle, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, teaching, word of wisdom/knowledge, helps, and administration) and those that promote the church's outer development (apostle, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, teaching, word of wisdom/knowledge, helps, and administration) (faith, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues).

What does the Bible say about using your gifts?

As responsible stewards of God's mercy, we're called to use our gifts to serve others in 1 Peter 4:10. Peter was especially referring to spiritual gifts like prophecy and healing in that context. Those are supernatural skills that God bestows on each Christ believer, but the principle of benefiting others extends to talents as well. God does not provide for us solely for our personal advantage. After all, we've been given the opportunity to bless others (Genesis 12:2).

How do I know if I have a spiritual gift?

Accepting that intuition is a part of your personality is the first step in realizing it. The more you trust that you have this fundamental capacity, the more powerful your intuition gets. The stronger the messages get, and the easier your life will ebb and flow, the more you enjoy the fact that you are already receiving direction.

Consider whether you've experienced any of the following experiences and what you can do to help your life journey by encouraging them in a more powerful, positive, and meaningful way.

Have you ever heard the saying that everything happens in threes? It's critical to pay notice when there are trends in your life.

Six months after arriving in Los Angeles, I received a call from a friend who said he would be in town in three weeks and wanted to hook up with me. When I was thinking about him two weeks later in preparation for our plans, I didn't reach out since I assumed he would contact me like he had the previous time. I had several thoughts about him and even had a dream about him. After the dream, I awoke with the realization that I needed to call him that day. Instead, when I got on social media that morning and saw numerous posts in response to his suicide, I was taken aback.

I've learnt my lesson; now, if I think of someone three times (or even fewer), I pay attention and pick up the phone to call them. The individual on the other end of the line is usually happy to hear from me.

Because sleep is our most creative and vulnerable condition, dreams and visions are most easily manifested.

My mother once had a dream that my father was about to die, and she awoke at 2 a.m. She instantly said a few prayers and attempted to sleep again after this nightmare. As it turns out, my father was climbing Mt. Hood in Oregon at the time, and he stepped into a crevice, causing an avalanche that nearly killed him. We don't always understand why we have dreams, but if you have them frequently, it's crucial to pay attention to them.

This might be a vision you see when talking to someone, a foreshadowing like the ones stated above in dreams, or just a random image that comes to mind.

Let's assume you're pulling out of the driveway and suddenly feel uneasy, and you have a mental vision of an accident in your head. You can then decide whether to wait till you feel comfortable or take a different route to work. Premonitions are frequently a type of communication intended to safeguard you from harm.

You thought you were getting up at 5 a.m. every morning to go pee, but it could be something else. Waking awake between the hours of 3 and 4 a.m. on a regular basis is a strong indication that spirits are trying to speak with you. This period is known as the “spiritual” or “connecting hour.” Sit up and allow yourself to receive messages if you consistently wake up at the same time every morning. They are warmly welcomed.

Children are the most conscious of the spirit realm, and they frequently refer to imaginary pals or villains in their nightmares. We reach a state of rest while we sleep “Delta and Theta” states are comparable to those we experienced as children. If there are spirits out there attempting to reach you, they may try to gently wake you up at first, but if that doesn't work, they may resort to nightmares.

I used to have nightmares every night when I initially came to Venice Beach. Worse, the lights were flickering and I was hearing strange noises. To say the least, I felt exceedingly uneasy. I ended up completing a spirit clearing with one of my paintings and, to my surprise, discovered who the spirit was in the process. My neighbor's mother, it turned out, had died when she was just 17 years old, looked exactly like me, and was also an artist. EEEEEk! I was terrified by everything. Looking back on this time in my intuitive journey, I would have most likely attempted to connect with her to figure out why she was in my area. But I was too uncomfortable at the time and wanted her to leave.

This is a highly frequent tendency among many people who are generally unaware of it. Frequently, we are experiencing experiences that are not ours, but rather those of someone we know. It could even be unrelated aches and pains or illnesses.

That used to happen to me on a regular basis. I was just driving from Los Angeles to Portland and began to feel tremendously afraid every time I passed a semi truck, as if they were trying to shoot me as I went past. I kept questioning it since it was the most unsettling experience I'd ever had. Isn't it true that I wasn't supposed to go to Portland? Later that evening, I learned that my girlfriend's parents had been kidnapped in Brazil and that gangs had erupted over the city. I had apparently been experiencing her family's concerns and emotions, and as soon as I realized what was going on, I felt at ease. When this happens, though, take a deep breath and exhale, clearing your mind of all unwanted emotions.

When I'm talking to someone and asking them a question, I frequently have an answer in my head before I even hear their response.

Voices are heard by certain persons. Some people get a thought in their head, while others get a response in their heart. It makes no difference how the signals reach you; what matters is that you are aware of them. When you identify this gift, it can be extremely beneficial in all aspects of your life.

Recognize when you're in a good mood and when you're in a bad mood. Let's assume you envision yourself laughing hysterically with your friends… What sensations do you have in your body as you recall this event? Then imagine yourself having the worst day of your life, whatever that means to you, and pay attention to what your body is telling you. The good and bad feelings will become more obvious as you ask your being questions on a regular basis. Then you'll be able to be yourself “Oracle” and stay in touch at all times. Instead of feeling nice and comforting, it could feel like pressure or even frigid. It's up to you to make sense of the situation.

I get a tingling sense a lot when somebody share something fantastic. When working with clients, I may have the similar sensation when releasing imprisoned emotions, beliefs, and other issues. Tingling and tickling sensations usually cause your body to move, even if it's just a momentary dance. The jumping sensation is usually automatic, and you react to it. Even when I'm writing something good, I'll occasionally be tingling the entire time. Tingling is magical to me; it's when everything is on point and spectacular. The sensation is the body's way of expressing itself “Yes!” says the universe.

You may start to feel a pressure between your brows before you realize you have an intuitive skill. This is your 3rd Eye, and it's a place where you can get messages and instruction. This experience will be strongest in those who are clairvoyant and can hear messages. Then it's a matter of checking in and sharing or “Consider how you're preparing to receive the visions. Some people can see the colors of other people's chakras through their third eye.

If you want to improve your intuition, consciously invite in the experiences listed above. You can express thanks for the experience as you grow more aware of the varied scenarios. It's almost as though you're becoming aware of your subconscious. It's a delicate line, to be sure, but it grows stronger with practice, just like any other muscle. You may also enhance the rate at which guidance and messages arrive to you.

Because it demonstrates your faith and believe in the guidance process, acknowledgment and thankfulness are the quickest ways to improve your intuitive talents.

Finally, it's critical to understand where the advice is coming from. It's critical to make requests that only the highest beings and light send you messages and guidance. Another choice is to seek the highest level of insight and truth. You'll be better protected this way, especially against nightmares and voices. You don't want advice from those who don't have your best interests at heart.