When one seeks the understanding of spiritual gifts, the first thing you may ask yourself is, What are spiritual gifts? There are many research definitions of what Spiritual gifts are. The one I found most candid is
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“A Spiritual gift is the spiritual ability given to a believer at conversion to enable him/her to serve God.”
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A lot of people wonder what their spiritual gift(s) are. To figure them out you must go back to the definition of spiritual gifts.
You must be converted (meaning you must become a believer of Jesus Christ having a spiritually converted mind as you are now born again). 1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV states, “But the natural man recievieth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
You must have a spiritual mind to recognize your spiritual gift(s) and know how to operate in them. To recognize your gift, you need guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to reveal your spiritual gift. As John 14:26 KJV states, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
"Spiritual gifts are not natural, they are spiritual, so He that teaches you how to recognize and operate in your spiritual gift(s) is the Holy Ghost."
It is essential for Christian believers to know that their spiritual gift(s) will not only help them grow spiritually but it will also edify the church with spiritual growth. Some believers may not recognize their spiritual gifts until years after conversion as they grow spiritually mature. When the term spiritual gifts are spoken some people tend to think of a pastor, evangelist, singer, or teacher. This mindset leads many in the body of Christ to believe that since they do not fit into one of these positions, they assume that they are not gifted and have no place to serve.
God gives all His children spiritual gifts; we are all servants for God. A workman needs tools to do their job although they may have different skills to effectively perform their assignment, so is the need for believers to have spiritual gifts. God blesses Christian believers with spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit which helps them to know their place in the ministry and win more souls into the body of Christ. These gifts are used as the spiritual driving force to build the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts are used in many ways to edify the church such as; encouragement, revealing truth, healing, ministering, teaching, hospitality, prophesy, discernment, spiritual knowledge, words of wisdom, understanding, counsel, intercessory prayer, interpretation, and etc. The bible tells us that there are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:4-5). Our gifts are used to serve others as it says in 1 Peter 4:10.
Being used in the power of spiritual gifts requires great humility. Why? Because great works can come behind the power and operation in spiritual gifts, and sometimes pride which is one of the most common attacks of the enemy will sneak in the hearts of believers. One must always focus on God and walk in the Spirit with constant prayer to avoid the misuse of spiritual gifts.
There are many ways one can misuse their spiritual gifts. It starts with falling away from the guidance of the Holy Spirit and then other dilemmas such as manipulation, selfish and personal gain, false prophesy, the love of money, jealousy, pride and etc. God solely gives gifts by his choice only. The bible tells us that God knew us before we were born in Psalms 139:15-16. Therefore, God gives each person a unique gift that they can flow extremely well through obeying the Holy Spirit. Just because one might have spiritual gifts does not mean they are guaranteed to go to heaven. Many will do mighty works and yet God will say to them He never knew them in the day of judgement according to Matthew 7:21-23. How do we recognize that the gifts are true? 1 John 4:1-5 KJV states, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Satan sends his people to deceive many believers with gifts. Some believers even start focusing more on the gifts that are operating in the church rather than the giver of gifts which is Jesus Christ.
Desiring other people’s gifts and not being satisfied with the gift that God has given you is like your right leg being jealous of your left leg although all of your body members have an important objective to do in one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12 states, “Though there are many parts to a body, all those parts make only one body.”
"It is wrong to be jealous of the operation of spiritual gifts within others in the body of Christ. Believer’s focus should always be towards accomplishing the work of Jesus Christ and Him alone. Some may have one gift and others may have multiple spiritual gifts."
Some ministries have an organized platform of natural gifts where the music, singing, and preaching all sounds very illuminating, as it may draw huge crowds of people. However, it is important that the gifts are anointed. It is the anointing that breaks the yokes of bondage where people can get delivered and set free rather than just having a good time in church Sunday to Sunday. The anointing makes the difference between natural and spiritual gifts. Where there is no anointing, there is no power, where there is no power, people can not grow spiritually.
I hope this article helps your understanding of spiritual gifts. May you continue in your knowledge and faith of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
-Kathy Brownlow