Discover the spiritual gifts God has given you and learn how to use them to serve Him and others.
Have you ever felt like God had given you a special ability to serve others and glorify Him? All of us have been blessed with spiritual gifts - the divinely empowered abilities that allow us to fulfill our unique callings in life.
In this post, we will explore what spiritual gifts are, how to determine them, and their uses for serving God and others.
What are Spiritual Gifts?
As a believer in Christ, I firmly believe that we all have spiritual gifts. Biblically, these spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit as we are guided and empowered to fulfill God's divine purpose for our lives. Understanding and embracing our spiritual gifts can be a daunting yet immensely rewarding journey, so it is important to understand what they are.
Types of Spiritual Gifts
There are over 22 gifts mentioned in the bible. Here we will examine the following eight:
Wisdom
Wisdom is a gift from God. It is something that can be called upon in times of need and used to make better decisions and choices. Those who possess this gift understand their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the dynamics of a given situation or circumstance, allowing them to make wise choices that benefit all involved parties.
Wisdom can also be used in our everyday lives as we endeavor to grow closer to God. Learning more about His word and seeking out advice from spiritual mentors can help us develop a greater understanding of how wisdom works within us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
When we seek out His guidance, He will always provide us with the spiritual gift of wisdom that we need to make wise decisions.
Knowledge
The spiritual gift of knowledge is one of the most profound gifts that can be bestowed upon a person. It offers an understanding of concepts and ideas that can often elude others. When used by wisdom, knowledge gives the ability to see past superficial appearances and access deeper truths.
Furthermore, it enables one to share their insights with others, helping them develop a better understanding of life’s mysteries. Those who possess this special ability need to use it responsibly because knowledge comes with great responsibility.
Discernment
Discernment is a spiritual gift that allows a person to gain insights into the thoughts and intentions of others. This gives them the ability to navigate difficult situations with wisdom and accuracy, instead of blindly trusting the perspectives of those around them. Having discernment as your spiritual gift means that you can recognize truth from error, good from evil, and have an innate understanding of people’s motivations.
With this gift, it is important to use it wisely and not allow yourself to become judgmental. Discernment should be used as a tool for guidance rather than criticism.
Faith
If faith is your spiritual gift, it means that you are blessed with an extraordinary capacity for trusting in something bigger than yourself. You know that even when the material world can’t provide answers or solutions, something powerful beyond our understanding will eventually rise up to show us the right path.
You have an unshakeable belief that no matter how dark and overwhelming things may seem, God's plan will ultimately unfold in ways we cannot possibly imagine. Having faith gives you the strength to persevere and to keep an open heart in all circumstances.
Healing
If healing is your spiritual gift, it means that you are blessed with an understanding of how to use the power of love and compassion to bring physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. You recognize the importance of tending to both the body and the soul to help someone find deep healing.
You understand that beyond medicine and treatments there lies a world of energy, intention, and trust which can help alleviate suffering. Having this gift also means you have a strong connection to the natural rhythms of life – knowing just when something needs support or when it is time to let go and allow healing to take its course.
Teaching
Having the spiritual gift of teaching means that you can articulate truth in a way that others can easily understand. This gift allows you to effectively explain complex ideas and share wisdom with those around you. Your teaching is driven by the desire to bring clarity and insight into difficult topics, so those listening can grow and be encouraged in their faith journey.
Being patient and understanding of others is important when using this gift - resist the temptation to become too opinionated or judgmental. With this gift, it is important to discern wisely which topics are suitable for teaching, so as not to lead people astray from what is true.
Serving
Serving is often seen as one of the most important and rewarding spiritual gifts. Serving involves providing service to others, either directly or indirectly, in a way that helps them feel supported, valued, and understood. It can involve anything from making a meal for someone who is feeling down to volunteering at a homeless shelter.
When we serve, we demonstrate our faith in action – showing our love for God by serving those around us. When serving becomes our spiritual gift, it brings with it a sense of purpose and joy as we use our gifts to help others and make an impact on the world.
Leadership
If you have been blessed with the spiritual gift of leadership, it is important to recognize and use this gift in a way that honors your faith. The role of a leader is to bring people together to achieve a common goal while still considering the individual values of each person. Leadership requires compassion, patience, emotional intelligence, and creativity; but most importantly, displaying strong moral character and ethical decision-making.
When leaders operate out of their faith, using their spiritual gifts for the greater good, extraordinary things can be achieved. A spiritual leaders must strive for justice and mercy in all aspects of their work and embody these qualities in order to make a positive impact on those around them.
How to Determine Your Spiritual Gifts
One way to discover your spiritual gifts is through prayer. Ask God to reveal any spiritual gifts He has given you, and then spend time in quiet reflection. Pay attention to any ideas that come to mind during this time, and look for guidance in the scriptures. You can also ask close friends and family members who know you well what they see as your spiritual gifts, or seek out wise counsel from a pastor or mentor. You can even take a spiritual gift test here.
When looking for confirmation of your spiritual gifts, it is important to be aware of the subtle clues within yourself and around you that may point you toward your specific purpose. Trusting your intuition and being mindful of signs can help lead you down the right path.
Uses for Your Spiritual Gifts
Your spiritual gifts are not just for you – they can be used to serve others in your church and community. Serving with your spiritual gifts is a way to use the unique talents God has given you to bless those around you. Look for opportunities to use your gifts in service, such as leading worship, teaching Bible classes, or providing comfort during times of need. Involvement in these activities will help you grow spiritually and bring joy to yourself and others.
You can also find ways to reach out beyond your immediate circle of friends and family, by volunteering at a homeless shelter or food pantry, helping organize mission trips, or finding creative ways to contribute within the church community. By bringing your valuable skills and talents into the service of a greater cause, you become an integral part of transforming lives for Christ.
In Summary
Spiritual gifts are a special blessing that we all have within us but may not know how to access and use them. With self-reflection, you can go on an adventure to uncover which spiritual gifts you possess. There are so many ways to discover this - from reading scripture, taking spiritual gifting tests, seeking out the advice of others or looking for clues in your own life.
Once you do, the possibilities of how to use them become infinite. Recognize and embrace all gifts bestowed upon you and shine brightly with your unique talents and abilities!
Share in the comments how you determined your spiritual gifts, and how you are using them – we can’t wait to hear!