What is My Spiritual Gift? The 7 Spiritual Gifts & How to Identify Your Spiritual Gift
Have you wondered, what is my spiritual gift? What does the Bible say about spiritual gifts and why is it important to identify your spiritual gift?
When I first learned God offered spiritual gifts the next question was what is my spiritual gift? And then I thought how amazing that the creator of the world has gifts for me!
Spiritual gifts are better than any gift we can imagine. They provide us with tools to fulfill our destiny in life.
I decided to dig deeper to understand what is my spiritual gift and how to identify and develop my spiritual gifts.
The thought of a gift usually makes us happy. Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a gift?
The best gift I have received is, my family. My children and husband are treasures designed and given to me by God. But I realize these precious people do not really belong to me…they are shared not given.
But spiritual gifts are given to each of us to experience God to the fullest and to bless those around us. When we understand what is my spiritual gift it connects us intimately to our creator. And helps us fulfill our God-given purpose.
Spiritual gifts are willingly given by God without any expected payment from us; His love and grace are demonstrated in this humble gesture.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
What are Spiritual Gifts?
You may be someone who knows what are spiritual gifts, or you may be new to the concept. But even if you know the answer to what is my spiritual gift, you may have never fully identified or developed your spiritual gift.
My family always joked that I was born talking and singing almost to the point of annoying my own mother! So it makes sense that one of my spiritual gifts is teaching. But that is not always how spiritual gifts work out.
Spiritual gifts are revealed once we take a step of faith and believe in Jesus. The Holy Spirit begins to live through us. We embrace our new identity in Christ and our whole world changes. In turn, God uses our gifts to bless others and reveal the love of Christ.
I was never a professional teacher. But once I began pursuing God, my spiritual gift of teaching was revealed. It is fulfilling to know I am in harmony with His will and calling when I am using communication to lead others to the wonder of a life with Jesus.
A true understanding of what are spiritual gifts is demonstrated when we passionately use our God-given abilities to lead others closer to Christ.
“My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My true disciples.” John 15:8 AMP
“When we minister to others through our gifts, we are tapping into the inexhaustible energy and motivation of God. When we exercise our gifts, the Holy Spirit works through us. We experience an extra measure of energy and joy.”
What is My Spiritual Gift?
The Bible discusses many spiritual gifts and abilities given to Christ-followers through the Holy Spirit. When we read the Bible and pray, we discover a beautiful blueprint of spiritual gifts. In order to answer the question, what is my spiritual gift, it helps to start with an explanation of each gift.
But before we discuss the seven spiritual gifts and move toward identifying, what is my spiritual gift, we need to discuss love.
Love is the gift everyone has available to share with others. Without love, the rest of the spiritual gifts will not matter. Jesus is most interested in our desire to fulfill HIs greatest call on our lives, to love God, and to love others as we love ourselves.
“Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” Matthew 22:37-40 MSG
“Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 LB
What are the 7 Spiritual Gifts?
Although a life with Christ offers more gifts than we can imagine, let’s focus on what are the seven spiritual gifts discussed in the book of Romans also referred to as motivational gifts.
“We have gifts that differ according to the grace that was given to us—if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; or the one who teaches, in his teaching; or the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who gives, in generosity; the one who leads, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 TLV
What is My Spiritual Gift? The 7 Spiritual Gifts
1. Spiritual Gift of Prophesy or Perceiving
The spiritual gift of prophecy is speaking on behalf of God. There are many prophets in the Bible who spoke prophetically. I personally encountered a person in my church who had the spiritual gift of prophecy. He would pray quietly and at times speak a message he felt the Holy Spirit was directing him to share. This is a precious gift from God that is to be used gently and carefully.
2. Spiritual Gift of Service
The spiritual gift of service is coming alongside others to make an impact on humanity and the kingdom of God. It seems everyone should be called to service which is true, but the spiritual gift of service is demonstrated by an eager willingness to always serve. I have met many people with the spiritual gift of service and it is easy to see when someone performs service for the benefit of others. Working beside others and demonstrating the spiritual gift of service, strengthens our faith, our relationships, and changes lives.
3. Spiritual Gift of Teaching
The spiritual gift of teaching is the desire to speak and write to lead others to Christ or help Christians grow in their faith. There are many great teachers but people with the spiritual gift of teaching have a deeper purpose to touch hearts, minds, and souls. The spiritual gift of teaching equips others to live a transformed life in Christ. Teachers help others when they feel discouraged, drained, or disillusioned in their faith and/or life.
4. Spiritual Gift of Encouragement or Exhortation
The spiritual gift of encouragement is when we use words of affirmation that are sincere and based on what someone needs to hear and not empty flattery. The spiritual gift of encouragement inspires and uplifts people to keep going and turn primarily to God, not other people, for answers and peace.
5. Spiritual Gift of Giving
The spiritual gift of giving is when we generously pour out our resources to others. The spiritual gift of giving has no agenda to be recognized or receive payment and praise but flows naturally. This is a beautiful gift to witness because it has a profound effect on people’s real needs. We can all offer what we have utilizing the spiritual gift of giving and become better givers as our faith grows.
6. Spiritual Gift of Leadership
The spiritual gift of leadership is equipping and empowering others to complete God’s work. I have seen the spiritual gift of leadership demonstrated many times. People with the spiritual gift of leadership get things done without it feeling pushy, manipulative, coerced, or selfish. We need strong leaders in all aspects of life, but there is a difference between secular leaders and leaders with the spiritual gift of leadership.
7. Spiritual Gift of Mercy or Compassion
The spiritual gift of mercy is using our resources to provide help and justice to the underprivileged. Mercy was demonstrated so well in the life of Mother Teresa. Although I did not know Mother Teresa, her work with the poor and her writings lead me to believe she had the spiritual gift of mercy.
Once you know the seven spiritual gifts and filter them through a lens of love, understanding what is my spiritual gift becomes clearer. You can trust that God will direct your steps on how to decide the best usage of your gifts.
“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:13 NLT
How to Identify Your Spiritual Gifts
Everyone has spiritual gifts that are part of their identity in Christ.
When learning how to identify your spiritual gifts it helps to start by taking a test on the seven spiritual gifts. There are many types of tests available. Find one to take so you can begin to understand what is my spiritual gift.
Taking a test on how to identify your spiritual gifts is a pathway to uncover layers of information about who you are in Christ and how you can be used to spread the good news of Jesus’ love.
Before you take an assessment on how to identify your spiritual gifts, here are four tips.
4 Tips to Learn How to Identify Your Spiritual Gifts
- Pray Specifically when Identifying what is my Spiritual Gift
When we pray specifically for the holy spirit to guide and be revealed in our answers it helps us avoid camouflaged selfish desires.
- Be Self-Aware when Identifying what is my Spiritual Gift
Self-awareness accompanied by prayer helps us answer the questions to reveal what is my spiritual gift honestly and with consideration.
- Check Expectations when Identifying what is my Spiritual Gift
Sometimes we see spiritual gifts in others that we would really like to have. But if we take the test with certain expectations, it becomes inaccurate. Don’t miss out on your unique gift comparing yourself to others.
- Create a Plan to develop your Spiritual Gifts
Once we get our results on what is my spiritual gift, we can’t let our spiritual gifts go unused or box us in. Share your gifts with a close friend or spiritual mentor. Ask God to help you learn how to actually express and use your spiritual gifts.
Any time we take an assessment of our spirit, it can be used for growth and transformation. A spiritual gifts test is not the authority God is. It is just a tool to help us gain insight and direction.
It is exciting to identify your spiritual gifts and get to work for God!
“Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others, just as other people were given gifts for your benefit. God planned it this way so we would need each other. Have you taken the time to discover your spiritual gifts? An unopened gift is worthless.”
Rick Warren
How to Develop Your Spiritual Gifts
To learn how to develop your spiritual gift it is helpful to first identify and understand your gift and then analyze and study how you can use it to glorify God.
It is tempting to be lured into using and developing your spiritual gifts for personal gain or let fear paralyze your ability to step out in confidence.
“In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 GW
When you focus on how to develop your spiritual gift it serves as an antidote to pleasing others and seeking validation outside of how God sees you. Developing your spiritual gift helps you embrace and pursue your God-given identity and live more authentically.
The movie Chariots of fire is based on the runner, Eric Liddell, a Christian and gifted athlete who competed in the 1924 Olympics. In the movie, Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
When we develop our spiritual gifts, we too can feel God’s pleasure!
What is My Gift from God?
Your greatest gifts from God are His love for you and His offering of His son Jesus. God chose to send Christ so that we can have eternal life with Him. But that is just the beginning of what a life in Christ offers.
What is my gift from God? It is an infinite promise of hope, peace, and an eternity with Him when we chose Jesus.
From our new identity, we are filled with His love and sense of adventure. We can then use our gift from God to reach others with the same promise of new hope.
When we understand what is my spiritual gift it is the best way to help others understand their spiritual gifts as well.
“For this reason, I remind you to keep alive the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 GNT
Before you go—have you answered the question, what is my spiritual gift? If so, how are you utilizing your gifts to glorify God? Do you have tips on how to identify your spiritual gifts?
Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
