How to know your spiritual gifts

Do you know your Spiritual gifts? 

Once we truly understand the purpose of our lives, we will be more eager to serve Him no matter how busy we are. Yet, it could be challenging to do that if we know nothing about our gifts. 

Besides, we are all children of God, but how come others excel in their calling, and some do not? It is probably because they have not discovered their spiritual gifts. 

One of the books I have read mentioned that maximizing our gifts from God is the only way to have an abundant life. For instance, Pastor Rick Warren used his God-given gifts in writing and speaking, now we see him successful in his field.

Moreover, Don Moen, one of the greatest Christian singers I know, used God’s gift, and now we love to hear his songs for worship and healing.

We can all be like them in the specific gifts God has given us. We just have to know what those gifts are. But first, we must understand what it means to say Spiritual Gifts.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

God has given each Christian spiritual gifts once they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These gifts were given by God’s abundant grace through faith, just as our gift of salvation. 

There are three kinds of spiritual gifts. We do not possess these, but God’s supernatural ability manifests in our lives in His ways. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work. Now, to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

In this Scripture, Apostle Pau explains that we all possess various gifts. Some are given the Spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit, meaning they are to serve in the ministry. These are the apostles, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and helpers in God’s ministry.

Furthermore, God has given the Spiritual gift of manifestation, such as having the message of wisdom, knowledge, and faith. These people also have the gifts of healing and miraculous powers. They could also determine spirits and interpret the message from speaking of tongues.

Lastly, God has given His children the gift of motivation. They are gifted in prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, and leading others to Christ.

How do you know your Spiritual gifts?

If God sees your willingness to do more for Him, He will make His way to let you know your Spiritual gifts just as He did to Jabez. 

Although he was named after his mother's pain, God blessed him because he wanted to do more for God.  

So, let us dig into some ways to find or discover our Spiritual gifts.

Ask yourself questions

Before knowing our gifts, we must evaluate ourselves and ask these questions:  Is there anything that resonates in your soul as you study the gifts from the Bible? What do you enjoy doing? What is the Holy Spirit telling you? What ministry in your life is God’s blessing? And What gifts do others see operating in you?

Knowing the answer to these questions could help you determine your Spiritual gifts. Others may suggest you take a spiritual gift check to evaluate yourself more. 

Ask others what they see in you

Confirmation is essential to determine our spiritual gifts. Sometimes, we cannot see what others may see in us. We can ask our church leaders and pastors to tell you what gifts they think you have. 

Moreover, confirmation from others gives light to our spiritual giftedness. Those who see you serving the Lord can often identify a spiritual gift in us that we might think they just tell us for the sake of flattering us.

So, instead of taking our gifts, we might not recognize and maximize them.

Pray and seek for God’s help

If you want to know your spiritual gifts, you must ask who created you. Prayer is essential. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover your gifts and how you could use them for God’s glory. 

The more you know your creator, the more you discover your identity and gifts from Him. 

Read His words

God uses the Bible to talk and give revelation to us. He helps us discover our gifts through the Scripture. Always allot time reading and meditating on His words. 

Furthermore, the Bible is not just for instructions but also for revelations of who we are and what God has given to us when we accepted Him in our lives.

Our connection to God is always a two-way kind of communication. We talk to Him through prayer, and He replies through the Bible.

Fear not, and just do it

Fear is one of our greatest hindrances to knowing and excelling in our spiritual gifts. Some of us have already discovered our spiritual gifts but are afraid to try. They could be worried about what others would say if they fail at some point.

However, we would never know if we did not try. One of my managers told me that if a great opportunity is offered to me and I still do not know how to do it, just say “Yes” and then learn it afterward. 

The same is true with our spiritual gifts, God is offering you something great even if you still do not know how to use them. Accept it with gratitude and trust that God will guide you every step of the way as you use those gifts effectively for His name.

Do not focus on yourself

Sometimes, we can discover our best qualities by not focusing on ourselves but on how we can work and help others. Jesus Christ never focused on Himself while He was here on earth. Instead, His whole focus is serving and preaching to others. 

When we do that, we will see that we have so many Christlike gifts. 

Look up to those people who inspire you

There could be successful people whom you look up to. Use them as your inspiration to discover and be the best at your spiritual gifts. Do not envy their success and gifts instead, use them as examples that if they can do it, you can also do it for God’s glory. 

Consider your family background

Sometimes, your gifts run in the family. I have seen many pastor’s kids who become like their parents. Check out your family’s history, and you may discover more gifts that you share with your family. 

It is one easy way to know your spiritual gifts.

Accept and learn to be great at your gifts

No one is born excellent at their spiritual gifts already. As we accept our gifts from God with gratitude, we must be willing to learn and be trained on those gifts. 

The church is the best place to learn and excel in those gifts. Pastors and church leaders are called to equip you and use your spiritual gifts effectively. 

Spiritual Gifts benefits the Kingdom

Our talents benefit ourselves, but our Spiritual gifts benefit the Kingdom. 

Natural talents are physical abilities to do special things, such as carpentry, mechanical and artistic skills that benefit us. However, our spiritual gifts are for the sake of God’s glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. 

More so, Natural talents are often how spiritual gifts can be used. It is still connected with our spiritual gifts. For instance, you are a good speaker, and God would use that natural talent for you to evangelize and motivate His people.

We are given those gifts to use for Him and His people.