1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV 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.
The Holy Spirit bestows upon each Christian a distinctive array of spiritual gifts, forming a personalized gift matrix intended for various ministries within and beyond the Christian community. These gifts, including talents, aptitudes, and abilities, are entrusted to believers to serve others and edify the body of Christ. This article will explore what spiritual gifts are and answer the question: what does the Bible say about using spiritual gifts and talents and gifts to serve God? Let’s dive in.
What exactly are spiritual gifts?
Think of them as personalized superpowers bestowed upon every believer by the Holy Spirit. These gifts aren’t just random talents; they’re purposeful abilities designed to empower us to serve others and enrich the Christian community.
Whether it’s a knack for teaching, a gift of healing, or a talent for encouragement, each gift is like a unique tool in our spiritual toolbox, ready to be deployed to help achieve God’s plan.
These gifts aren’t just for our own benefit; they’re meant to be shared generously, like a beacon of hope and a taste of the kingdom of God wherever we go. In other words, every Christian isn’t just a member of the audience; we’re all key players in God’s grand plan, called to actively participate and contribute to the ongoing work of building up the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:7–12 says that God’s power—which will eventually heal the world physically, socially, and spiritually—is now distributed to us. The bottom line is that every Christian is in ministry; no one is merely a consumer of services; everyone is a distributor.
What, then, is service?
Picture serving as a dynamic dance of meeting needs and extending kindness to others. It’s not about neglecting your needs but weaving generosity into your life’s fabric. And here’s the exciting part: the Bible outlines several compelling reasons to dive headfirst into this adventure:
- First off, serving is like a crash course in self-discovery. You might think you know yourself pretty well, but it’s only when you roll up your sleeves and dive into various acts of service that you truly uncover your hidden strengths and passions.
- Secondly, serving is the ultimate community-builder. When you approach church life with a mindset of contribution rather than consumption, you’re not just a spectator; you’re an integral part of a vibrant, interconnected family. In the trenches of service, relationships deepen, bonds strengthen, and authentic community flourishes.
- And then there’s the unparalleled joy of making a difference. There’s something truly magical about seeing lives transformed and hearts touched through the simple act of serving others. It’s an infectious joy, a fulfillment that surpasses anything money can buy. And here’s the kicker: when you serve with a genuine heart, the blessings come back to you tenfold. It’s like a divine paradox—the more you give, the more you receive.
In essence, serving isn’t just a duty; it’s a privilege, a sacred calling. And it’s all rooted in the radical example set by Jesus Christ Himself. He didn’t come to be served but to serve, and his sacrificial love compels us to follow in his footsteps. So, let’s embrace the joy of service, let’s revel in the beauty of selflessness, and let’s discover the true essence of community as we journey together in serving others.”
Why are churches divided on spiritual gifts?
Why are churches sometimes at odds over spiritual gifts? Well, it often comes down to how they view certain gifts described in the Bible, like prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing.
Some churches think these miraculous gifts stopped being active after the time of the New Testament. Others believe they’re still active but in a different form. They might see prophecy as more like offering wise advice rather than direct messages from God.
Some churches believe these gifts are just as powerful today as they were then. They embrace things like speaking in tongues and miraculous healings as evidence of God’s ongoing work.
It’s a complex issue with different perspectives, but ultimately, it boils down to how each church interprets and applies the teachings of the Bible to their practices today.
How are spiritual gifts given out?
Spiritual gifts are given out in many different ways. Look at 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, which talks about various gifts. First, there are three main types of gifts:
- Prophetic gifts. These gifts help with understanding and sharing truths about God. These gifts are about speaking boldly and clearly. For example, there’s evangelism (Ephesians 4:11— euaggelistês) – helping people believe; teaching (1 Corinthians 12:29— didaskalos) – helping people learn; speaking (1 Peter 4:10-11— lalein) clearly and convincingly; knowledge (1 Corithians 12:8); discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) telling the difference between what’s true and what’s not; and prophecy (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10— prophetas) sharing messages of truth that are powerful and inspiring.
- Priestly gifts. Gifts that help with understanding and meeting people’s basic needs. These gifts are about showing kindness and being willing to give up something for others. Examples of these gifts are encouraging (Romans 12:8— parakaleo), motivating and counseling; helping (1 Corinthians 12:28—antilempseis) without taking over; healing (1 Corinthians 12:28—iamaton) – helping people feel better emotionally or physically; pastoring (Ephesians 4:11— poimenos) – helping people grow spiritually; serving (Romans 12:7— diakonia) – helping with practical things; sharing (Romans 12:8— metadidous en aplotati) – giving to others in a thoughtful way; and mercy (Romans 12:8— eleon en ilarotati) showing deep empathy and joy at the same time.
- Kingly gifts are about understanding where a group should go and what they need. They help others see and follow a clear vision, and they’re known for their wisdom and practicality. Here are some examples:
- Apostles (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28— apostolous): These are like the founders, who start new things.
- Leadership (Romans 12:8— proistamenos en spouda, literally “leading in zeal” ): They’re good at rallying people around a common goal.
- Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28—kuberneseis): They’re great at organizing tasks and making sure they get done.
- Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8 – logos sophias): They’re skilled at solving problems and giving guidance.
- Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9—pistis): This isn’t just believing in God, but also seeing a clear path to a goal.
Secondly, gifts often come together, not just individually. For example, in Ephesians 4:11, it talks about pastor-teachers, while in 1 Corinthians 12:39, it mentions those who are simply teachers. These gifts that come together might affect each other.
For instance, one preacher might have a gift for public speaking, linked with encouragement, making their sermons more uplifting (1 Peter 4:11). Another preacher might be more dynamic and prophetic, while another might focus more on teaching. The same goes for counselors.
This means that a preacher or counselor cannot meet all needs or connect with all people. But we’re better suited to help some more than others.
Thirdly, there are different “kinds of service” (1 Corinthians 12:5), which means your gifts might be better suited for some situations than others. Some might work better with children, others with adults, some in large groups, others in smaller settings, etc.
Lastly, there are different “kinds of working” (1 Corinthians 12:6), which suggests that some gifts have more power or effectiveness than others. This means that some people might have a stronger ability to use their gifts than others.
In short, every believer has a unique combination of spiritual gifts. These gifts come in different combinations and are suited for various situations and tasks. Additionally, each person has different levels of ability to use these gifts.
Moreover, our life circumstances and the situations we encounter can bring out different aspects of our gifts. So, when you consider all these factors together, each person’s ministry can be as unique as their fingerprint.
This means there are certain things in life that only you can do, and there are people out there who only you can reach. Spiritual gifts are tailor-made for your purpose in life.
To put it simply, spiritual gifts are like tools in your toolbox, specifically designed to help you fulfill your mission in life.
What is the difference between Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Fruit?
When we talk about spiritual gifts, it’s essential to understand the distinction between them and spiritual fruit, as well as natural talents.
Firstly, spiritual fruit refers to the qualities that should characterize every believer’s life, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These traits reflect who we are as Christians.
On the other hand, spiritual gifts are special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to believers to serve and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). These gifts are what we do in ministry.
While every believer should demonstrate spiritual fruit, not everyone will have the same spiritual gifts. In fact, only Jesus had all the spiritual gifts. This means that spiritual gifts should not be confused with spiritual fruit.
Furthermore, spiritual gifts can sometimes be mistaken for spiritual maturity. For example, someone may have the ability to touch lives through their gifts, but their personal spiritual growth may not be as evident. This highlights the importance of discerning between the two.
Additionally, it’s possible for unregenerate individuals to possess natural talents that God uses for His purposes, even within the church. However, their lack of genuine spiritual transformation may eventually become apparent (1 John 2:19).
In essence, while spiritual fruit reflects who we are as Christians, spiritual gifts are what we do in service to others, and God can also utilize natural talents. Still, they do not necessarily indicate genuine spiritual maturity.
What is the difference between Spiritual Gifts and talent?
Every person possesses talents and abilities, as well as spiritual gifts. Christians understand that these gifts are meant to strengthen the church community. This means that Christians not only need to consider how their talents prepare them for various tasks but also how their spiritual gifts equip them for specific forms of ministry in Jesus’ name.
It can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between “natural talents” and “spiritual gifts” because ultimately, they all originate from the Spirit of God (Exodus 31:1–11; Isaiah 45:1–7; James 1:17). God can take a talent and use it for spiritual purposes to help others or the church, but this isn’t always the case.
Sometimes, God transforms a seemingly average talent or ability into a spiritual gift. In contrast, at other times, a remarkable talent in a Christian may not be used spiritually.
As we exercise our spiritual gifts, we must also be mindful of two common pitfalls: “gift cop-out” and “gift projection.” Each spiritual gift is also a responsibility given to all Christians.
While not everyone may have the same gifts, all believers are called to participate in various forms of ministry. “Gift cop-out” occurs when someone avoids a task by saying they’re not gifted in that area.
“Gift projection” happens when someone compares themselves to others or expects others to excel as they do. It’s important to remember that diversity is a strength in the church, and we shouldn’t try to mold everyone into our own image or preferences.
How do we discover spiritual gifts?
The process of discovering our spiritual gifts isn’t clearly outlined in the Bible, and there are challenges with following any prescribed steps to uncover them.
One common approach mirrors secular aptitude tests, where individuals assess themselves to identify their strengths. However, this method assumes a deep self-awareness that many of us lack. Furthermore, church roles often require a combination of gifts rather than just one or two.
In reality, discovering our spiritual gifts involves a combination of factors coming together:
- Association: What human needs do I naturally gravitate towards? What interests and passions do I have?
- Capability: What am I skilled at? What tasks or roles do others recognize me as effective in?
- Possibility: What service opportunities are available to me? What needs are present in my community or church?
When these three factors align, it becomes apparent that God has equipped and called us to fulfill a specific role or direction in our lives.
How do spiritual gifts apply in a church context?
In a church context, we can apply this process by focusing on the third aspect: Opportunity. Rather than overanalyzing whether a particular role fulfills us, we should start by identifying the tasks in the church that need to be done and simply jump in to serve.
The key is being proactive and willing to fill the church’s ministry gaps. By trying out different roles and serving in various capacities, we gain valuable experience and insight into what God blesses.
Instead of relying solely on our proven abilities from our day jobs or our deepest affinities, we should prioritize serving where there is a need, even if it’s outside our comfort zone. This approach allows us to discover latent gifts that we may not have been aware of otherwise.
As we continue to serve and gain experience, we can more effectively assess our associations and capabilities and begin to specialize in areas where we feel called and equipped. This process may vary depending on the opportunities available in the church, but the principle remains the same: start by serving where there is a need, and specialization will naturally follow over time.
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