Countless words have been written about our spiritual gifts, along with countless quizzes and surveys designed to help believers pin down these individualized gifts that God might have for them. I don’t think it has to be quite that complicated, if we firmly grasp the basics.
Basic 1 – the purpose of spiritual gifts
God grants us spiritual gifts so we can love others with them and further His Kingdom. The Apostle Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts places them squarely in this context. See 1 Corinthians 12:4-31, where he was addressing the misuse of gifts in the Corinthian church. When in verse 31 he says he is going to show them a far better way – his very next words are the famous love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. And this marvelous text teaches us that gifts are useless without obedience to the foundational commandment of loving your neighbor.
So with that type of all-encompassing agape love firmly in our minds, let’s read Paul’s very next words that follow the love chapter:
Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and encouragement. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. But I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. And greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates, so that the church may receive edification. — 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
The Corinthians were not using the gift of tongues properly, which was the gift demonstrated at Pentecost, where people of all languages could hear Peter’s words in their own native tongue. There are some reports of this gift still being manifested – I know of two people who did not speak English who clearly heard a gospel presentation in their own tongues, and were saved! Note that the people doing the speaking were not aware they were being heard in a foreign language (just like at Pentecost). Anyway, Paul appears to be arguing against a “gibberish” tongue that made no sense to anyone. The Corinthians were apparently desiring more “showy” gifts. But Paul was crystal clear about the “better” gift. He wanted people to seek to prophesy.
Now it’s important to understand that the primary meaning of “prophecy” as a spiritual gift is simply to speak the truth of God’s Word to others. The “foretelling” aspect of prophecy, in earlier times, served to give us the prophecies recorded in the Bible, but now the canon of Scripture is closed. This spiritual gift is not telling the future, but proclaiming God’s truth as it applies to various circumstances.
Basic 2 – different spiritual gifts are vital to the Body
Paul addressed gifts in two other passages – Romans 12:4-8 and Ephesians 4:11-16. All three of these teachings celebrate the “unity in diversity” that is individually gifted disciples serving one Body, in love.
Let’s look at these individual gifts. First – they do overlap some, which makes sense because the bestowing of a specific gift on an individual will look different than the same gift bestowed on another person. What’s more, God may grant a person more than one gift, and an individual’s gifts may change in different seasons of life.
Second, a spiritual gift is not necessarily a talent or a skill, like singing or sports. Author Joel Rosenberg says a spiritual gift is “the ability to touch and help change people’s lives with supernatural effectiveness, using the tools of God’s Word and God’s love.” A great definition!
We can look at the various lists of gifts a number of ways. John MacArthur divides them into speaking and serving gifts, and notes which were primarily for use in the early church (for instance, apostles, which generally refers to those who personally interacted with Jesus). The ESV Global Study Bible site offers a chart that’s a helpful visual aid - check it out here.
Based on the categories in the chart, you can see that MacArthur’s category of speaking gifts includes prophecy (which could include evangelism and wisdom); teaching (which could include knowledge and shepherding); and exhortation (encouraging and motivating others). The service gifts include service/helps; discernment; giving; mercy; faith; and leadership/administration.
Again, these gifts are all to be used to serve others and build the Body of Christ.
Basic 3 – taking action is how we find our gift(s)
Start by asking God to show you what He’s given you. You already know what you’re good at, what skills you have, what talents you have. Ask him if those come into play.
While you’re seeking God’s guidance on that – the next step is to do something. Serve somehow, without worrying about what your gifts are. This is the best way to discover your gifts – start taking action to serve and love others, and your gifts will bubble to the surface. After all, the early church had no “spiritual gift inventories.” From an article entitled How (Not) To Discover Your Spiritual Gifts:
…it has been popular to use spiritual gift inventories and questionnaires to help believers discover their spiritual gifts. The major problem with these tools is that they’re an abstraction; we can take those tests and try to discover our gifts without being involved in the life of the local church. When used this way, spiritual gift inventories are artificial and even misleading. They’re artificial because we don’t and can’t discover how God has gifted us in isolation from others… Rather, if you get involved in the lives of others in your church and love as Jesus commanded, then you will discover your gift… Knowing our strengths and gifts helps us to focus on the ways we can be most helpful to other believers. If you don’t know your gift yet, don’t worry. It’ll become clear as time passes, and asking other believers can help you discern your gift. We’re often in a great hurry to find our gifts, but God isn’t. He has a purpose and plan to use you in the life of your church, and it will become clear as you serve Him and others. — How (Not) To Discover Your Spiritual Gifts by Thomas Schreiner
Asking God and other believers is great advice, as is jumping in and serving, either in your local body or in some other Spirit-led form of service. You will see where your touch is most powerful! And in the meantime, you’ll stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, which is always good (spiritual) exercise. The ultimate goal is to love one another and love our neighbor, all to His glory.
Bonus material!
As you become more aware of your gift(s), you may find this blog helpful. It offers articles to people exercising specific spiritual gifts.
And here’s another excellent article that makes the case for serving rather than fretting about your specific gifts.