Spiritual Gifts

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

In my late teens, my best friends introduced me to their Dutch Reformed (Evangelical Protestant) church. Growing up Catholic, I found the lack of ritual and dogma refreshing.

I converted. In the process, I was introduced to the concept of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of building up the church and serving the community. These gifts are mentioned primarily in three key passages in the New Testament: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, and Ephesians 4:11.

Below is a detailed description of each spiritual gift and their scriptural references:

Prophecy: The ability to speak forth a message from God. This can involve predicting future events or delivering a message of encouragement, correction, or insight.

Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:11

Service (Ministering): The ability to identify and meet the practical needs of others in a loving and sacrificial manner. Romans 12:7

Teaching: The ability to explain and apply the truths of the Bible in a clear and understandable way, often involving a systematic presentation.

Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11

Exhortation (Encouragement): The ability to motivate, encourage, and console others in their faith and life. Romans 12:8

Giving: The ability to generously share resources, time, and money with others, often with great joy and without expecting anything in return. Romans 12:8

Leading (Administration): The ability to govern, organize, and guide others in various aspects of church life and ministry. Scripture: Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28

Mercy: The ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, and to offer practical help and relief. Romans 12:8

Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge to life in a spiritually insightful way, often providing practical solutions to problems. 1 Corinthians 12:8

Knowledge: The ability to understand and bring deep insights into the truths of God's Word. 1 Corinthians 12:8

Faith: The ability to trust God and inspire others to trust God, often in difficult or impossible situations. 1 Corinthians 12:9

Healing: The ability to pray and have God bring physical, emotional, or spiritual healing to others. 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

Miracles: The ability to perform acts that demonstrate God's power, which go beyond natural laws. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

Distinguishing between Spirits (Discernment): The ability to discern whether a spirit or teaching is from God, Satan, or human origin. 1 Corinthians 12:10

Tongues: The ability to speak in a language unknown to the speaker, often for the purpose of prayer or prophecy. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28; 1 Corinthians 14

Interpretation of Tongues: The ability to interpret and explain the message spoken in tongues for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30; 1 Corinthians 14

Apostleship: The ability to pioneer new churches and ministries and provide spiritual oversight, often characterized by extraordinary leadership and missionary work.

1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11

Evangelism: The ability to share the Gospel effectively, leading others to faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:11

Pastoring (Shepherding): The ability to care for and guide a group of believers, nurturing them in their faith. Ephesians 4:11

What are yours? Determining one's spiritual gifts involves a combination of self-reflection, seeking feedback from others, and actively serving within the church community.

Here are several steps one can take to discern their spiritual gifts:

Pray for guidance: Ask God to reveal your spiritual gifts. Seeking divine guidance can help align your desires with God's will.

Self-Reflection: Consider what activities and ministries bring you joy and fulfillment. Reflect on times when you felt particularly effective or close to God in service.

Understand the gifts by studying scripture: Familiarize yourself with the biblical lists and descriptions of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, Ephesians 4:11). Knowing the characteristics and purposes of each gift can help you recognize them in yourself.

Church Leaders: Seek guidance from pastors or spiritual mentors who can provide insights based on their experience and spiritual discernment.

Ask Trusted Believers: Consult with mature Christians who know you well. They can often see gifts in you that you might overlook.

Assessment Tools: Use spiritual gifts inventories or assessments, which are available in many churches and online. These tools ask questions about your interests, experiences, and inclinations to help identify your gifts. Here is a sample assessment. While helpful, these assessments should be used in conjunction with prayer and community feedback.

Volunteer in Various Ministries: Try serving in different capacities within your church. Experiencing different roles can help you discover where you are most effective and joyful.

Pay attention to the impact of your service on others. Gifts often become evident through fruitful ministry and positive feedback from those you serve.

Passion & Abilities: What activities and ministries are you passionate about? Gifts often align with your passions. What skills and talents do you naturally possess? Spiritual gifts often complement your natural abilities, but they also can transcend them.

Confirmation & Affirmation: Over time, gifts are confirmed through consistent use and the positive outcomes of your ministry.

Listen to affirmations from those you serve. Consistent encouragement and recognition from others can be a strong indicator of your spiritual gifts.

Be open to growth and patient: Be open to the possibility that your gifts may change or expand over time as God leads you into different areas of ministry. Spiritual gifts can develop and become more evident as you grow in your faith and maturity.

By taking these steps, you can better understand and identify your spiritual gifts, helping you to discover your connection to the divine and enabling you to serve God and those around you more effectively.