How To Identify Your Spiritual Gifts

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

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 seen how simple it is for you; God has given you a heavenly gift that you are naturally gifted at, and it just comes effortlessly 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 characteristics 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 are the 9 spiritual gifts?

A spiritual gift, also known as a charism (plural: charisms or charismata; Greek singular: charisma, plural: charismata), is a supernatural ability bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Followers think that these are supernatural graces that individual Christians require (and that were required in the days of the Apostles) in order to fulfill the Church's mission. In the strictest sense, it is a theological word for the special graces bestowed on individual Christians for the benefit of others, as opposed to personal sanctification graces such as the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The word of knowledge, enhanced faith, healing gifts, miraculous gifts, prophecy, spirit discernment, various kinds of tongues, and tongue interpretation are examples of these skills, which are often referred to as “charismatic gifts.” The gifts of apostles, prophets, teachers, aids (associated with service to the destitute and sick), and governments (or leadership abilities) are also associated with various Church ministries. Individuals are given these gifts by the Holy Spirit, but their mission is to build up the entire Church. They're mentioned in the New Testament, namely in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. Spiritual gifts are also mentioned in 1 Peter 4.

The gifts are tied to both “natural” and “miraculous” abilities, both of which are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The two primary theological viewpoints on their nature are that they have long since ceased or that they continue (Cessationism versus Continuationism).

How do I find my gifts and talents?

So you've run out of options? Hello, and welcome to the crowd. It's no wonder that, with continual peer pressure from social media to identify ourselves in 140 characters or fewer, who we really are gets lost in the shuffle. But how can we figure out what our strengths are and how to apply them once we've gotten away from those flashing screens of identity-makers? With these ten simple techniques, you can identify your talents and begin using them right away:

What are the 12 gifts of the spirit?

“Charity, joy, peace, patience, compassion, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity,” according to Church tradition.

What is the gift of vision?

People today are groaning for God's people to step forward, claim their rightful place in God's Kingdom, and step up to the plate. But how can someone achieve that if they don't even have a vision for their own life? Father God wants you to understand why you were born and what your true role is on this planet! For you, he has a destiny – a plan. I'm not sure how individuals exist outside of Christ's canopy when they are surrounded by hopelessness, uncertainty, moral decay, trauma, and dread. Just pay attention to the people in the post office or in the break room at work. There are a lot of people who don't have a clear vision for their lives and don't know how to get one. Others have a vision, but they are mired in a quagmire of confusion or past transgressions, unsure of what to do next. Then there are individuals who had a vision but gave up on it due to disappointment, failure, or discouragement.

So, how does a person regain their life's vision? Our life aren't some sort of divine experiment with a cruel God, but rather a Providence-directed mission to fulfill the precise reason you were born. God wants us to rediscover our passions and believe in our dreams. Your vision is waiting for you to take action! Let's take a closer look at this concept known as vision, which controls our own fate.

Ask yourself this question if you take a time to be quiet and take a fearless look at your life. Is your life a reflection of who you are and who you've always wanted to be? Are the folks who work next to you every day aware of the person you've always wanted to be? Maybe you feel like it takes everything you've got just to get through each day with your current responsibilities. Are you linked to the Source in such a way that you know exactly what you're supposed to be doing right now? Are there gifts and talents within you that you have yet to discover or have been dormant for a long time? What is your ambition? What is something you've always wanted to do? What do you believe God has called you to accomplish that you are currently not doing? Never give up on your ambitions! Vision is the ability to glimpse the future before it occurs.

God gave us vision so that we wouldn't have to rely solely on what we can see. Sometimes the terms vision and revelation are used interchangeably. To reveal means to reveal something that was always there but couldn't be seen from the outside.

Consider the following analogy. A spruce cone's destiny is to become a tree. You may see the tree within the seed if you have confidence. Because you recognize the seed's potential, you have a mental image of it. The same can be said of you and me. God created us for a reason, and it's already completed in God's eyes, because God sees us in the same way we see a spruce cone. He understands that He has given us the ability to see it through. Faith is the substance of what you aspire to achieve, the proof of what you can see when others can't. Your ideal is, in fact, your reality. Think about it! What do you notice about yourself?

I am convinced that if you don't have a vision, you will only rehash the past's disappointments and failures. As I counsel my clients, I occasionally see it. It's what we call “the comfortable.” Because it is all we have ever known, fear can lead us to embrace the same misery over and over again. As a result, vision is essential for breaking free from previous patterns.

Simply looking around will reveal that you are surrounded by people who are busy but not necessarily effective or satisfied. As a result, they spend their lives toiling away, following the same old patterns and never making any progress. Perhaps you have similar feelings about yourself.

Many people's dreams never come true because they can't make up their minds whether or not to pursue them. Long-term indecisiveness destroys one's vision and saps one's enthusiasm in life. People who can't make a decision are often the happiest people on the planet.

How do I pray to receive the Holy Spirit?

Then Peter addressed them, saying, “You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit if you repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. Because the promise is to you and your offspring, as well as to everyone who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls.” Acts 2:38-39 is a passage from the book of Acts.

What is the procedure for receiving the Holy Spirit's gift? How can one “be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual melodies, singing and making music in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks continually for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:18-20)?

“Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Peter says in his Pentecost sermon.

It takes no significant spiritual effort on our side to be filled and directed by the Spirit of God. Before the Holy Spirit enters us, we do not need to pray a specific prayer or live a holy and sinless life.

God kindly beckons us sinners to turn from our sins to Christ Jesus for forgiveness and everlasting life through the good news of Christ's innocent sufferings and death for the sins of the world (cf. 2 Thess. 2:13-14). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sinfulness and complete failure to live up to the demands of God's perfect Law (cf. John 16:7-11; Rom. 3:9-20,23); however, the Holy Spirit consoles us by assuring us that our sins have been atoned for in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again, and that we are forgiven and counted righteous by God through faith in Jesus' name (cf. Rom. 3:24-26; Psalm 32:1ff.; 51:1ff.).

We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we believe this and trust in Christ as our Savior, being baptized in His name and according to His instructions for the remission of our sins (Matthew 28:19). He enters our hearts, educates us about Jesus through God's Word, and strengthens and keeps us in the true and saving faith (cf. John 14:16-18, 23-28; 16:13-15).

And He who has “started a good work” in us will continue to reside in us and “finish it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, our risen and ascended Savior, we thank You for bestowing the gift of the Holy Spirit upon us — for leading us to repent of our sins, be baptized in Your name, and for dwelling in us by Your Spirit so that we may be kept and preserved in the true and saving faith unto eternal life. We pray for the sake of Your agonizing sufferings and death in our place, as well as Your triumphant resurrection. Amen.

Your actions match your plans

You develop large goals and then follow through with the necessary actions. The big intentions you have for yourself and the routines you follow every minute of every day are inextricably linked. You make the tiny, previous plans that you know will bring you there when you outline your major plans. You're enthralled by every step of the process because it's all leading to you realizing your vision for your life and your place in the world.