Spiritual Gifts (Part 1)

As we find that we are made to worship God, and as we strive to do exactly that, some of the neatest things begin to happen to us. Those things that begin to happen to us is that God himself empowers each of us uniquely to serve him. I want to look at this empowerment of the Spirit in two parts. First let’s look at what scripture has to say on the subject. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-8

The apostle Paul is saying here in this passage that if we have given ourselves over to the true worship of the Lord Jesus that we should expect that God will gift us with spiritual gifts. I do not expect here to fully treat the subject of Spiritual Gifts, but I do want to point out that scripture is clear that God will gift us for service in the ministry. The list of spiritual gifts varies depending upon who is making the list, but for the purpose of this lesson we will look only at those mentioned in this particular passage of scripture. Paul lists many gifts here from prophecy, to teaching, and even giving financially. But what makes a gift a gift rather than a natural ability or talent?

To understand the answer to this question we need to look at a few factors. For example I have in my experience often seen that God has given the gift of teaching to someone, who before they were a Christian couldn’t teach a dog to pant, but after Christ are really quite exceptional teachers. This was clearly something that the Spirit of God changed in them, and gave them the necessary skills to do. Others may have been shy and reclusive, and perhaps still are, but when approached about preaching they jump at the opportunity and love to preach the Word of the Lord.

The next factor we can look at to discover if it is a gift or talent is to see if people seem to be helped in their spiritual walk when we exercise this. For example a man may be a great math teacher, but when he teaches about the things of God it doesn’t really seem to help others. Probably for him teaching is a talent, and he may someday learn to use that talent for God’s service, but it was not necessarily a Spiritual gift.

The next factor we need to look at in discovering our gifts is to the elders and other leaders in our church. If, by chance, we think that we have the gift of evangelism we can look for those in leadership to confirm to us that they have seen that gift operating in our ministry. God sets godly leaders over each of us to encourage us and help us in learning to walk more effectively and serve God in increasing ways.

The last thing that I want to discuss about discovering Spiritual Gifts is experimentation. Do you think that God may have given you the gift of teaching? Then experiment by asking the elders and or Pastor of your church to allow you to teach a Bible study, or Sunday School class. Do you think that you have the gift of service? Then experiment by serving others and seeing if God uses it. Do you think that God has given you the gift of prophecy? Then seek opportunities to preach the Word. In all of these things do not be discouraged if you fail. I believe strongly that I have the gift of evangelism, but not every time I share the gospel does someone get saved. It takes time, patience, prayer, and daily Bible reading to develop the ability to listen to the Spirits leading as you seek to use the gifts that God has supernaturally endowed to you.