Spiritual gifts are different from natural talents. Talents are innate. Everybody has talents with which we are born. Only believers directed by the Holy Spirit or God’s Spirit have spiritual gifts. For example, the talent of musical ability can be transformed into a spiritual gift. The purpose of a spiritual gift is to equip, serve, and unite the church in love for the good of all. The following are nine (9) spiritual gifts that have been discussed.
1. The Gift of Faith
The gift of faith is the ability to act on the will of God as it is found in His Word. If you have this gift, you believe that God can and will intervene in the affairs of the world. Part of this intervention is through prayer and the spirit’s power. It is found in I Corinthians 12: 9. Paul, in Ephesians 2: 8-9 states that people are saved by grace through faith.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of faith:
- If you believe that God can and will intervene in the affairs of this world.
- If you can respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading even when the purpose is not clear.
- If you desire to do the will of God even when great difficulties can be faced.
- If you can see the hand of God upon events that happen.
2. The Gift of Healing
The gift of healing is physical and spiritual. It is God’s given ability purposely to assist people to recover physical, mental, or spiritual health through the direct manifestations of God. For example, the biblical view of man does not separate physical, mental, or spiritual health. Healing occurs through prayers. The gift of healing is listed in I Corinthians 12: 9 and 12: 28. If you read through the book of Acts, we can see where Jesus and His disciples had healed many people who came to them.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of healing:
- If you are concerned about those who suffer physical, mental, or emotional sickness.
- If you have faith and call God to heal it is so.
- If you can use God’s power to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.
- If you cast out the demons of people with the power of divine choice.
3. The Gift of Miracles
The gift of miracles goes beyond an ordinary power that is known. It brings about a wonder. It is the ability to present and perform miracles through divine power. Elijah‘s experience on Mount Carmel is a good example of a miracle. In John 14: 12, Jesus said that the disciples would perform even greater, miraculous works. Christians should be careful and be clear that what is called miracles should be evidence of God’s work.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of miracles:
- How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
- You have the gift of healing:
- If you believe that God can do impossible things in a time of need.
- If you have experience with miraculous answers to prayers.
- If God uses you as his instrument in a supernatural way.
- If people to whom you ministered give testimony that God miraculously worked in their lives.
4. The Gift of Spiritual Discernment
The gift of discernment is the ability to know which actions and teachings are of God. Through this gift, you will be able to distinguish between divine, human, and satanic powers. Through it, you can test truths or falsehoods by Biblical authority, not feelings or emotions. In II Corinthians 11: 13-15, Paul teaches that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. His servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. The gift of spiritual discernment is mentioned in I Corinthians 12: 10.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of spiritual discernment:
- If you are deeply convinced that all powers are from only God and he is in control of all.
- If you are sensitive when a person is in submission to the Holy Spirit’s control.
- If you can sense and understand the true motivation of people.
- If you can extraordinarily discern truth and recognize false teachers.
- If you understand that evil forces can control people.
5. The Gift of Speaking in Tongues
This gift is listed in I Corinthians 12: 10 and 12: 28. It is the ability to speak in other languages or utterances inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit. This mostly occurs during fervent prayers and praise and worship. The speaker in tongues does not understand what he or she utters. But care must be taken for the tactics of the devil. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14 about the misuse of this gift in the Corinthian Church.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of speaking in tongues:
- If you can speak an inspired message of praise through the use of unintelligible speech.
- If you can make utterances to expose the plan of the devil.
- If you can speak God’s message to help the Church and also speak in tongues to help yourself
- If you speak in strange tongues.
6. The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues
The gift of interpretation of tongues is a completion of speaking in tongues. It is the ability to clarify the messages of the person who speaks in tongues. Even Paul states this clearly in I Corinthians 14: 26-28, and the gift is mentioned in I Corinthians 12: 10 and 12: 30.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of interpretation in tongues:
- If you can understand what the person who speaks in tongues is saying.
- If you can distinguish between tongues inspired by the Holy Spirit and tongues falsely given by Satan.
7. The Gift of Apostleship
In the Bible, Paul was called Apostle purposely because he saw Jesus in a vision (I Corinthians 9: 1). The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus were called the Apostles (Mathew 10: 2). Acts 1: 21-26 describes the requirements of an apostle and the replacement of Judas in the original twelve by Matthias. Also, Barnabas and Pau were mentioned as the Apostles in Acts 14: 3-4 and had been chosen by the Holy Spirit sent forth by the Church with a message (Acts 13: 2-3).
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of apostleship:
- If you are ready to move to a new area after a church has been established.
- If you feel a special concern for the growth and maturing of the new churches which have begun.
- If you are deeply desiring to start new Bible study groups and new churches.
- If you are interested in taking the gospel message where it has never been heard before.
- If you have faith to overcome enormous afflictions, opposition, persecution, problems, and the like
9. The Gift of Evangelism
The gift of evangelism is found in Ephesians 4: 11. It is the ability to understand people’s lost condition and present Christ in such ways that people will come to salvation in Christ Jesus. Through this gift, you will have the boldness to present the gospel to all people. Philip in Acts 8: 5 and 12 preached the gospel.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of evangelism:
- If you have a continuing desire to witness Jesus to all people everywhere.
- If you are aware of God’s love for all people and his desire they become his children through personal salvation.
- If you can present the gospel so that it is clearly understood, and do so at every opportunity.
- If your message centers on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and his coming again.
- If you find it easier to witness Jesus Christ and present the gospel to lost persons in such a way that they accept the Lord and his salvation.
- If you can assist other people to become effective witnesses.
9. The Gift of Pastoring
This gift is also known as the gift of shepherding. It is the ability to build up, equip, and guide believers in spiritual growth and service. This gift is found in Ephesians 4: 11. Here is the only time the word pastor is used in the New Testament but shepherding and its work are listed many times. The gift of pasturing or shepherding is broader than the only work in the churches today because other gifts such as encouragement, mercy, wisdom, etc. were attached to this gift. Priscilla and Acquilla in Acts 18: 24-26 performed the work of shepherding. Also, Paul in Acts 20: 1-2 was a shepherd or pastor to the churches.
How do you know that you have this spiritual gift?
You have the gift of pastoring or shepherding:
- If you desire to help other people bear burdens.
- If you are sensitive to the divine call to shepherd God’s people by example and by word.
- If you can teach other people to grow and mature spiritually.
- If people seek your counsel through his leadership ability.
Conclusion
The spiritual gifts have not been exhausted. These remaining nine (9) spiritual gifts solve the issues of quarreling, divisions, ignorance, etc. in the church of God.