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Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV).
We have spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible teaches that these gifts are a unique aspect of the Christian faith. Other religions offer instruction for hard works with their scriptures, while the Bible teaches that the Spirit gives us gifts and power to serve God.
Below is a definition of spiritual gifts from Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, written by C. Peter Wagner:
A spiritual gift is a special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the context of the Body.
But what are the specific spiritual gifts? How do we find them? How should they be used?
What are the gifts of the Spirit?
Memorize: 12, 12, 4, 4. Now repeat: 12, 12, 4, 4.
There are four lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. In these four chapters, we find 20 distinct gifts:
Prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues, apostle, helps, administration, evangelist, and pastor.
Note: Many believers are multi-gifted.
How do we find our gifts?
Scripture says, “For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Someone once told me, “Find your calling (or your passion), and you will also find your spiritual gift.” I would agree, as God doesn’t call us to a ministry in which he won’t equip us for this service.
I recently took this simple (and free) online test for spiritual gifts: www.giftstest.com.
The test indicated my gifts as evangelist, leadership, wisdom (sometimes questioned), and pastor—none of which surprised me since I’ve been walking in these gifts for over 50 years.
How should our gifts be used?
The Apostle Paul uses the illustration of a physical body while teaching about spiritual gifts and says:
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).
Obviously, a body without a foot or head would be ineffective or dead! While emphasizing spiritual gifts in Ephesians, Paul writes:
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3, ESV).
There is nothing more exciting than knowing and working through the spiritual gifts that God has given us!
Two books have been helpful with my understanding of spiritual gifts, one older and one newer.
The older, Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, was written in 2002 by C. Peter Wagner, and the newer, Understanding Spiritual Gifts, was written in 2020 by Sam Storms.
And remember: 12, 12, 4, 4!