What is my spiritual gift?

what does the bible say?

Spiritual gifts are talents and abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit to serve the church. In a body made of individual believers, it doesn't make sense for each person to have the same gift—a church made of all teachers, and no servants, would be ineffective. So the Holy Spirit distributes the different gifts so that all the needs of the church can be filled and all the people of the church can be cared for (1 Corinthians 12:11). Identifying our spiritual gifts requires prayer, input from others, and a willingness to serve where God leads, rather than relying solely on personal preference or tests. Gifts are flexible and can be used in different ways, so we should not limit ourselves to specific roles or avoid areas where we are needed. Ultimately, spiritual gifts are meant to build up the body of Christ and glorify God, not serve personal desires.

from the old testament

Spiritual gifts are mentioned in the New Testament.

from the new testament

Each member of the body of Christ has different gifts to use, such as prophecy, teaching, and acts of mercy, and they should be exercised with faith and humility (Romans 12:4–8).Of spiritual gifts, Paul says, "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7).The Holy Spirit distributes different spiritual gifts to different people so that all the needs of the church can be filled and that all the people of the church can be cared for (1 Corinthians 12:11).Paul ends his extended discussion of spiritual gifts with the segue "And I will show you a still more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31b) then immediately explains how any gift or talent or sacrifice without love is useless (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Regardless of gift, we must operate out of love.The apostles recognized the gift of service in the seven chosen to help with the distribution of food (Acts 6:1–6). Spiritual gifts are determined as we continue meeting practical needs and serving the Lord.Paul and Barnabas discovered their gifts as they were worshipping God (Acts 13:2–4). As we live for God, He makes our gifts known.The early church recognized the gift of leadership in leaders like Peter and James in Acts 15:13–19. Spiritual gifts are discovered and used within the body of Christ.Paul encourages Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14 to fan into flame the gift of God in him. We grow in our spiritual gifts as we continually surrender to God and seek to glorify Him.

implications for today

Faithfully stewarding our spiritual gifts is crucial if the church is to function effectively and efficiently. Having an idea of the ways God most often uses us to impact others can be extremely helpful in intentionally stewarding His gifts. Stewardship includes things like intentionally using our gifts for the good of the church and even seeking to grow in those areas. Spiritual gifts are given and enabled by God, but we also play a role in using and developing them. For example, someone with the gift of encouragement can seek out opportunities to encourage and take care to learn how others best receive encouragement.

How can we know what our spiritual gifts are? Often our passions in life will line up with our spiritual gifts, but not always. Paying attention to things we do naturally and well can give us an idea of how God has designed and equipped us. Being aware of moments when we sense that God is working through us and taking note of common threads can be useful. Often using our spiritual gifts brings us joy and feels energizing. Since these gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we often can also recognize that the fruit goes beyond our efforts and that it is God who is at work in the situation. God should receive the glory for the use of our gifts, not us.

Input from others can be helpful in identifying our gifts, as we may not realize when and in what areas we are having an effect for Christ. How do other people experience you? What do they most often ask you to contribute in any given situation? How do they most grow in Christ when around you? Simply trying various things and watching for how doing so impacts others and oneself can be a good exercise. There are also several books and tests available that can be used for input. Most importantly, ask God in prayer. He distributes the gifts, and we should be seeking Him for how He wants us to participate in His work in any given situation.

One thing to keep in mind is that spiritual gifts are not rigid. Gifts can be used in different ways. For example, not everyone with the gift of teaching will teach in the same way or same venues. Serving might look like stepping in to fill a need, even in a teaching role. Exhortation and encouragement can take on many forms, even including serving someone who needs a helping hand or serving alongside someone who is learning to live out generosity. We might even have or use different gifts in different seasons. In any season, our gifts should not limit our contributions to the church; neither should we artificially limit the use of our gifts.

No matter our spiritual gift, we serve the same God (Ephesians 4:4–7; 1 Corinthians 12:4–6). No matter our spiritual gifts, we are called to love Him and love others (John 13:34–35; Romans 12:9). Doing so may involve functioning outside our comfort zones at times, and we need to be willing to make that loving sacrifice (Romans 12:1–2). We also need to be intentional to use our spiritual gifts for the good of the body of Christ. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to serve the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–16), and every person in the body has a vital role to play (1 Corinthians 12:7). The concept of spiritual gifts should not lead to pride, laziness, jealousy, or fear (Romans 12:3–4). Instead, it should be a reminder of the abundant provision of God, the astounding reality that He invites us to participate in His work, the fruit He bears, and the joy He brings (John 15:1–17).