HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

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One of the most intriguing and impactful topics in Christianity is spiritual gifts. These divine abilities, bestowed upon believers, allow us to serve God’s kingdom in unique and powerful ways. My very first article, “The Ascension Gifts of the Five-Fold Ministry,” remains one of the most popular writings on our website, with thousands of views and numerous positive ratings. This topic resonates deeply with believers because discovering and using spiritual gifts is central to living a fulfilling and impactful Christian life.

In this article, we will explore how you can discover your spiritual gift, based primarily on 1 Corinthians 12. This chapter lays a foundational understanding of spiritual gifts, their purpose, and how believers should approach them.

1 Corinthians 12:4 – “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.”

The first key point is that spiritual gifts originate from the Spirit of God. They are not natural talents or learned skills but divine endowments given to believers by the Holy Spirit. Only those who are indwelt by the Spirit of God— believers —can receive spiritual gifts. This means that spiritual gifts are not something you can achieve on your own or earn by merit. They come from one source: the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit Who is the source of spiritual gifts also unites the body of Christ. Though there are different kinds of gifts, they all come from the same Spirit, emphasizing the unity and diversity within the church.

Ephesians 4:8 and 1 Peter 4:10 make it clear that spiritual gifts are not for self-promotion or personal gain. The purpose of these gifts is to serve others, especially the body of Christ. Jesus, the ultimate servant, set the example for us to follow. In the same way, the gifts He bestows are meant for service.

1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” Therefore, using your spiritual gift selfishly or for personal benefit, such as for money or status, is a misuse of God’s divine empowerment. Balaam in the Old Testament is a tragic example of someone who misused spiritual power for personal gain. Similarly, those mentioned in Matthew 7:21-22 performed mighty works in Jesus’ name but did so for wrong motives and were ultimately rejected.

You must not use your gifts to earn money for personal gain. Remember that you have those gifts not because of your own, but because those are the abilities of the Spirit of Christ living in you. Without Christ, you don’t have those gifts. Therefore, making your gifts as your source of income is just like making Christ as your source of income. NEVER DO THAT. Remember, freely you receive freely you must give.

The beauty of a gift is that it is given freely, without the recipient earning or contributing to it. Romans 11:29 emphasizes that “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”, meaning that God doesn’t take them back, even when we misuse them. This emphasized the generosity and grace of God. However, it also shows why some people may use their gifts for selfish purposes—they have been given freely, and once received, they are not taken away.

The Spirit alone determines who receives which gift. As 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” Spiritual gifts are about God’s purposes, not ours. They are distributed according to His will, not based on our qualifications. That’s why we must use them according to His will.

Your spiritual gift is also tied to your specific calling and position in the body of Christ. Paul uses the metaphor of the body in 1 Corinthians 12 to explain that each believer’s gift represents a distinct function within the Church, much like different parts of a body serve different roles.

For example, if your gift is teaching, you are called to feed the body of Christ spiritually, much like hands feed a physical body. If your gift is serving, you might be compared to the feet, helping to mobilize and move the body. Each part has a vital role, and when every part functions correctly, the body thrives. However, if someone tries to operate outside their gift—like a foot trying to grasp as a hand—it leads to dysfunction and ineffectiveness. Our gifts determine our calling and position in the body of Christ.

Many believers make the mistake of trying to operate in a gift they do not have. For example, someone with a gift of teaching might be pressured into speaking in tongues because their pastor says it’s necessary to speak in tongues because it is the evidence that the Spirit of God is living in you. This causes confusion and spiritual frustration. Recognizing your gift and embracing it is essential for fulfilling your role in the body of Christ. Don’t be someone else that you are not in the Body.

There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts, not just the more commonly recognized ones like performing miracles, healing, speaking in tongues, etc. Unfortunately, many people believe that only these “spectacular” gifts are genuine spiritual gifts. But 1 Corinthians 12:28 tells otherwise. There are many other gifts such as teaching, helping, serving and governing, are just as important.

Diversity in gifts is crucial because the church needs various functions to thrive. Each gift serves a purpose, and each is necessary for the well-being of the body. This is why 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 asks us, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Do all work miracles? Do all speak in tongues?” The obvious answer is no—different people have different gifts and therefore, different functions and positions in the Body of Christ.

A great example is Martin Luther. Many modern believers might question whether Luther had any “miraculous” gifts like healing or prophecy, especially when compared to someone like brother William Branham, known for his healing miracles. Yet Luther’s gift was teaching, and through his gift, he delivered a world-changing message that reformed the church and wounded the head of the beast (Revelation 13:3). And that is the exact gif that should operate that time. Not healing or miracles since the Church is battling false doctrines and teachings.

Isaiah 59:19 tells us that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against him. This standard is often established through the gifts God gives to His people. For example, Martin Luther had a bold, fiery personality—exactly what was needed to stand up to the Roman Catholic Church during his time. Someone with a gentler temperament, like brother William Branham, would not have been as effective in that historical context. God trains each of us for His purposes, preparing our personalities, gifts, and abilities to be effective in executing His plan.

Though spiritual gifts are given freely, they can be nurtured and developed over time. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 encourages believers to “stir up” the gifts God has given them. This implies that gifts can be sharpened, honed, and strengthened as we use them in service to God and others.

2 Peter 1:10 also encourages us to make our calling and election sure. By regularly exercising our gifts, we grow in them and become more effective. Gifts, like skills, improve with practice. This is why people with the gift of teaching often excel in their teaching over time if they regularly use those gifts. While those with the gift of service become more effective at meeting the needs of others if they always put them in practice.

It’s important to note that while we can enhance our gifts, we don’t need to boast or proclaim them. Just as a carpenter doesn’t go around telling everyone he’s a carpenter, we don’t need to announce our spiritual gifts to everyone. Instead, we should let our actions speak. We must point them to our ministry in the Body. Just like our Lord Jesus said in Matthew 11:4-6 when asked by the disciples of John the baptist if He is indeed the Messiah that they are waiting. The Lord did not tell them “Indeed I am”. Instead, he told them: “Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” He pointed them to His ministry.

Discovering your spiritual gift begins with seeking God in prayer and studying His Word. Ask God to reveal the gift He has given you and to help you understand how to use it for His glory. Look at the areas where you naturally excel and where others recognize your strengths. Often, your gift aligns with what you are passionate about and what you find yourself doing naturally in service to others.

Ultimately, your spiritual gift is not about you. It’s about the Body of Christ and how you can serve the church. When you operate in your gifts, you fulfill your calling and contribute to the overall health of the body of Christ. Embrace your gifts, develop them, and use then to bring glory to our Lord.