In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. – Romans 12:6 NLT
When my daughter turned thirteen, she received a special gift. I gave her a charm with a heart and a key attached. She attached the heart to the bracelet, but I kept the key to her heart. Several years later, she and her future husband stood at the marriage altar. I then handed him the key to her heart. Three children and 22 years later, her husband still holds the key to her heart.
When you became a born-again believer, God also gave you special gifts. Not only did you receive the gift of eternal life, but He also gave you a particular spiritual gift to be used in serving Jesus. Our spiritual gifts are not primarily about discovering a special ability that makes us impressive. But your gift is about discovering how God has equipped you to serve Him and build up the lives of other people.
The New Testament contains several passages on spiritual gifts, especially Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-13, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. The challenge we face is discerning our spiritual gift. Here are a few steps you can take to discover the spiritual gift God has given you through the Holy Spirit.
Keys to Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
1. Start with prayer. Ask God directly to help you understand your spiritual gift. You can pray something as simple as: “Lord, show me how You have gifted me. Help me recognize the ways You are already working through me, and give me the opportunities to use those gifts for Your glory and for the good of others.”
There is no need for a dramatic revelation. Often the gifts become apparent as you faithfully serve.
2. Pay attention to what seems to come naturally. Ask yourself a few simple questions:
- What activities give me a sense of purpose rather than simply draining me?
- Do I naturally encourage people when they’re discouraged?
- Do I enjoy teaching or explaining God’s word?
- Am I naturally organized, able to lead, or able to bring people together?
- Do I have a strong desire to give and meet practical needs?
- Do I notice hurting or overlooked people?
- Do I have a strong desire to share the Gospel?
One important indicator of your spiritual gift is that it produces spiritual fruit.
3. Ask mature believers who know you well. This can be extremely valuable. Ask a pastor, small-group leader, or spiritually mature friend: “What strength or spiritual gift do you see God developing in me? Where have you seen me be most helpful to others?”
4. Use a spiritual gifts assessment. There are questionnaires that help you identify areas worth exploring. They can be useful, but they’re not a biblical test that can definitively tell you the gift God has given you. That truth comes from the Holy Spirit.
5. Try serving in different ways. This is probably the most important practical step. Then ask: “Where did I see God use me?” However, you don’t have to wait until you figure out your gifts before serving. Serving is often how you discover them.
6. Remember that gifts are for serving. Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12 is especially helpful. The church is compared to the body, and all its parts are important. If your gift mostly happens behind the scenes, that doesn’t make it any less spiritual than preaching or teaching,
A Final Word
Don’t be surprised if you discover that you possess more than one gift or if the way you serve changes during different seasons of life.
Prayer
Father, I want to be a faithful servant. Show me, through your Spirit, my spiritual gifts, and help me use them to serve others to Your glory and praise. Amen.
Dig Deeper:
1. Ask yourself: What do I seem to do naturally that helps other people? What do people often come to me for help with? What activities give me a sense of joy or purpose? Where do I seem to make a difference without trying especially hard?
2. Ask 3-5 trusted mature believers who know you well: What strengths or gifts do you see God using in my life? Have them identify specific examples of how they’ve seen you serve.
