Do You Know Your Spiritual Gifts?
When we are saved (i.e. born again), we all receive an equal measure of faith from God. Romans 12:3 [KJV] says “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith“. (My emphasis.)
This is saving faith – that is, faith (belief) that we have spiritually been born again into the Kingdom of God and believing in God’s promises.
This measure of faith is given to us by God – it is not something that is of our own doing – 2 Peter 1:1 [NLT] “This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.”
Not only has God given us faith, but He has also given us spiritual gifts to accompany such faith so that we may use such different gifts as the body of Christ (the church). “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5 [NLT]
Our duty is to exercise the faith that we have been given not only to live our lives in accordance with what the Bible teaches, but also in using spiritual gifts God gives us for the purpose for which God has them to us.
Romans 12:6-8 [NLT] says: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. Each one of us has a specific role to play and we have been given a spiritual gift to do so. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”
What Are the Spiritual Gifts that God has Given Us?
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 [NLT]
These spiritual gifts are given to each believer. 1 Corinthians 12:7 [NLT] “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” Note that the gifts are given to us so that we may help others in the body of Christ (i.e. the church), not for our own benefit.
What are the gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 [NKJV] says: “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another [different] kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
Gifts are not distributed in equal measure (like the measure of faith), but according to the will of the Holy Spirit. Some individuals may have more than one spiritual gift and may have stronger gifts than others.
1. Word of wisdom – a God given ability to speak wise advice (wisdom of God) led by the Holy Spirit, either in explaining the Gospel or in applying the Word of God to a specific situation. An example of the manifestation of such a gift would be in a gifted Christian counsellor.
2. Word of knowledge – the ability to speak knowledge of facts that can only be revealed supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. An example would be in Matthew 16:15- 17 when Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah. Matthew 16:15-16 [NLT] – “Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.'” This gift may be used by the Holy Spirit to bring a comforting word to a person who is going through difficulties and perhaps feeling helpless. The word of knowledge that is given to that person through a person with such a gift encourages the person going through difficulties by letting them know that God is aware and is with the person through all. God may declare to such person what is to come through the word of knowledge that is given.
3. Gift of faith – this refers to faith that comes from the Holy Spirit for the fulfilment of something specific. An example is in Matthew 14:28-31 in which Peter believed Jesus to walk on water. This gift may for example enable a pastor who is called to plant a church in a difficult environment to do so successfully in circumstances when all the “facts” would indicate that such project would likely fail (but the gift of faith enables the pastor to push through and galvanize others behind the vision and see it to fruition).
4. Gift of healings – this refers to the spiritual gift given to heal diseases / sickness when prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for others for healing.
5. Gift of miracles – this is a gift by the Holy Spirit to perform acts that defy natural laws when prompted by the Holy Spirit. An example of the performance of a miracle would be the miracle by Jesus in Mark 3:1-5 when He instantly restored the withered hand of a man in the synagogue.
6. Gift of prophesy – the gift of proclaiming a message from God in a particular situation or foretelling what will happen in future.
7. Gift of discerning of spirits – the gift of being able to tell what is from the Holy Spirit and what is not (i.e. an evil spirit). This is to prevent the devil from deceiving others in the body of Christ. For example, the Bible warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:14 – 15 [NLT] of unrighteous people posing as workers of Christ: “These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. Even Satan disguises himself an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” This gift enables the identification of impostors, stopping the deception of the devil.
8. Gift of tongues – the gift to either pray in tongues or speak in tongues (led by the Holy Spirit). The gift of tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. [1 Corinthians 14:22]
9. Gift of the interpretation of tongues – the gift given by the Holy Spirit to interpret what has been spoken in tongues in church [1 Corinthians 14:26-28] by another person (not what has been prayed in tongues, as such prayer is only to God and not to men – 1 Corinthians 14:2).
The gifts God has given us and His call on our lives cannot be withdrawn. Romans 11:29 [NLT] – “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” He expects us to fulfill His call with the gifts He has given us. Luke 12:47 [NLT] – “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished.” On the other hand, God will reward those who use their gifts well. [Matthew 16:27 and Matthew 25:14-30]
Do you know God’s call on your life?
If not, it all starts with receiving Jesus Christ into your life. The Holy Spirit will lead you into God’s call on your life and will equip you with the spiritual gifts to fulfill the call on your life.
If you would like to receive the gift of salvation that God has for you today, make a decision in your own heart that you want to be forgiven of your sins and that you wish to turn your back on a sinful life. Believe in the Kingdom of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ [Mark 1:15]. The Bible says if you confess with your mouth (i.e. actually say it) that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, you will receive salvation [Romans 10:9-10]. Salvation is open to any human being who calls upon the name of the Lord [Romans 10:12-13].
If you want to get saved right now:
First silently read the text in the paragraph below and make sure you understand it. It is a confession prayer you can use to get born again this very moment.
If in your heart you agree with the content of the statement below then, read it again, but this time say it with your mouth out loud as you read it:
“Father, I thank You that you sent Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to take my sins and my punishment. Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for me and that God raised You from the dead. Today I confess that You are my Lord and my Saviour. Father, forgive me of all of my sins. Thank You Father that today, by Your grace, I am born again, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Did you say the above prayer sincerely to receive Jesus Christ into your life? If so, please click on “yes” below to get guidance on what to do next.