Is there any value to a spiritual gifts test/inventory/assessment?
Introduction
The Bible does not specifically mention spiritual gifts tests, inventories or assessments. However, it does have much to say about spiritual gifts and how believers can discern, develop and use them for God’s glory. This approximately 9000 word article will examine what the Bible teaches about spiritual gifts and evaluate whether formal spiritual gift tests or inventories can be useful for Christians today.
What are spiritual gifts?
The Bible mentions spiritual gifts in several places, most notably Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. These passages reveal that:
– Spiritual gifts are special abilities God gives to believers by the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of building up the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:7, 11).
– There are different kinds of gifts distributed to different believers as the Spirit determines (1 Cor 12:4-11, Rom 12:6-8). Common gifts include teaching, service, giving, leadership, mercy, evangelism, prophecy, discernment, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues.
– No gift is given to every believer, but every believer is given some gift(s) (1 Cor 12:29-30, Eph 4:7).
– Spiritual gifts are to be used in love to serve others, not oneself (1 Cor 13, 1 Pet 4:10).
– God distributes gifts according to His sovereign will and design for the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:18).
In summary, spiritual gifts empower believers to accomplish God’s work on earth in ways aligned with their design, for the purpose of unity and building up the church. Gifts are given by grace, cannot be earned, and are to be used in service to others.
Are spiritual gift inventories biblical?
Scripture does not explicitly endorse or condemn spiritual gift tests or inventories. However, several principles can guide evaluation of their merits:
Potential benefits:
– They can raise awareness about spiritual gifts and their purpose.
– They may help believers consider how to serve based on personality, interests, and experience.
– They can stimulate reflection on how God has gifted someone.
– They may aid identifying blind spots or areas for growth.
Potential drawbacks:
– They are not directly mentioned in the Bible.
– They could lead to pride over certain gifts.
– They may encourage cookie-cutter service rather than Spirit-led ministry.
– They tend to categorize gifts, whereas gifts likely overlap.
– Interpreting and applying results can be highly subjective.
– They cannot truly discern or bestow spiritual gifts.
– Results may discourage those lacking “high profile” gifts.
– People may rely on tests rather than Biblical exhortation to nurture gifts.
In summary, spiritual gift assessments may have some benefits but also many drawbacks. At best, they provide helpful starting points for self-reflection. At worst, they propagate unbiblical views of gifts. As with many tools, spiritual gift assessments require Biblical discernment and wisdom in their use and interpretation.
How does the Holy Spirit determine spiritual gifts?
The Bible indicates several key facts about how the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts:
– Gifts are distributed according to the sovereign will and grace of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:11, 18).
– The Spirit allots gifts “as he wills,” not based on human desire, effort or timing (1 Cor 12:11).
– God arranges gifts within the body of Christ as He designed, just as He arranged each part of the human body (1 Cor 12:14-20).
– The manifestation of any gift is “for the common good” of believers (1 Cor 12:7).
– Gifts aim to build up others, not glorify oneself (Eph 4:12).
– God distributes gifts “to each one individually just as He determines” (1 Cor 12:11).
– The Holy Spirit is the ultimate giver and determiner of gifts based on His perfect knowledge, wisdom and authority.
In summary, the Holy Spirit sovereignly determines spiritual gifts based on His will, grace, design, and purposes. Though mysterious, this should give believers confidence in how the Spirit gifts the body of Christ. Human effort does not ultimately control spiritual gifts.
What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
Scripture reveals several key purposes of spiritual gifts:
– To build up and strengthen the church (1 Cor 14:12, 26; Eph 4:11-16)
– To show love and serve others (1 Pet 4:10; 1 Cor 13:1-3)
– To overcome sin and grow in godliness (Eph 4:13-16; Rom 12:1-8)
– To participate in God’s mission and calling (1 Pet 4:10-11)
– To bring unity and cooperation in Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:1-6)
– To bring glory, obedience and worship to God (1 Pet 4:10-11; Rom 12:1)
– To display God’s grace, wisdom and power (1 Cor 12:4-6; Eph 3:10)
– To edify and build up the church (1 Cor 14:26; Eph 4:11-16)
In summary, spiritual gifts have the divine purpose of serving others, unifying the church, spreading the gospel, glorifying God, and fortifying faith. They enable collectively doing God’s work in ways impossible through individual effort alone.
Should every Christian take a spiritual gifts test?
There is no biblical command for every Christian to take a formal spiritual gifts test or inventory. Scripture emphasizes discovering gifts through service, wise counsel, and concentric spiritual growth. Principles from Scripture can help believers evaluate if a gifts test would be beneficial:
Reasons to consider a test:
– To spark reflection on areas of effectiveness
– To reveal blind spots in using or identifying gifts
– When unsure where to serve or roles to fill
– When new to faith or seeking direction from God
– To gain outside perspective and feedback
Reasons to exercise caution:
– When relying heavily on results to decide ministries
– If leads to pride, comparison, or discouragement
– When used to fulfill expectations or social pressure
– If used to excuse lack of spiritual growth in certain areas
– When caring more about label than pursuing a gift’s purpose
In summary, spiritual gift assessments are neither commanded nor forbidden. With prayerful wisdom, they may in some cases assist believers in discerning gifts or spur self-reflection. But they should not eclipseBiblical commands for serving and growing in faith with whatever gifts one has.
How can you discover your spiritual gifts without a test?
Scripture suggests several ways to discern spiritual gifts without formal assessments:
1. Experiment with different areas of service (Rom 12:6, 1 Cor 12:4-6). See what brings joy and effectiveness.
2. Examine your God-given passions and abilities (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6).
3. Seek wise counsel from mature believers (Prov 11:14, 15:22). Ask them where they notice your strengths and potential gifts.
4. Assess the needs around you (1 Cor 12:7). Look for gaps your gifts may fill.
5. Pay attention to affirmation from others (1 Tim 4:14). Consider ministry feedback.
6. Diversify your Christian service and training (2 Tim 3:16-17). God may reveal gifts through varied experiences.
7. Stay faithful in small things first (Luke 16:10, Matt 25:23). Gifts often emerge through demonstrated faithfulness.
8. Evaluate your heart motivations (1 Cor 13). Are you seeking self-glorification or serving God and others?
9. Desire to grow the church (1 Cor 14:12). God reveals gifts as we seek edification over recognition.
10. Pray for wisdom and clarity (James 1:5). God promises to provide wisdom to those who seek it.
In summary, intentionally pursuing diverse forms of service, heeding wise counsel, and praying for wisdom can help reveal spiritual gifts over time – no inventory required.
What are the most important spiritual gifts?
Scripture never ranks spiritual gifts but values them all as integral to Christ’s body. All gifts, big or small, work together for God’s purposes (1 Cor 12:12-26). However, the Bible emphasizes some foundational motivations and actions behind all gifts:
– Faith – Using gifts to serve God despite difficulty or unbelief (1 Cor 13:2).
– Hope – Employing gifts to point others to eternal hope in Christ (Rom 15:13).
– Love – Letting love shape the use of all gifts (1 Cor 13:1-13).
– Service – Following Christ’s model of serving humbly (Mark 10:45).
– Perseverance – Continuing to glorify God with gifts despite trials (Rom 5:3-5).
– Generosity – Stewarding gifts to generously bless others (2 Cor 9:6-15).
– Unity – Utilizing gifts to unify the body of Christ (Eph 4:3).
– Good works – Demonstrating gifts through good works that lead others to praise God (Matt 5:16).
While all gifts matter, God cares most that believers exercise gifts according to Christlike character. The Spirit determines which gifts each receives, so all are equally important.
Should I ever re-take a spiritual gifts assessment?
There is no biblical command to re-take a spiritual gifts assessment. However, believers are called to continually grow and mature in using the gifts God has given them. Reasons it may be helpful include:
– After a season of intentionally developing certain gifts
– When serving a new ministry, church, or context
– After life changes like baptism, marriage, parenthood, or retirement that open new opportunities
– When struggling to identify how to serve or feel dissatisfied
– To gain wider counsel and perspective over time
– To assess growth in giftedness and effectiveness
Before re-taking an assessment, pray and reflect. Consider if it is due to dissatisfaction with previous results, confusion over gifts, or a healthy desire to steward gifts. Retests should not become an end in themselves. Nor should they substitute for pursuing growth according to one’s current understanding of their gifts.
How do I know if my spiritual gift assessment accurately identified my gifts?
There is no infallible way to confirm spiritual gift results. Assessments are fallible human tools attempting to capture divinely ordained gifts. Several principles can help determine if a gifts inventory accurately identified someone’s gifts:
– Does it align with your understanding of your design, personality, and effectiveness?
– Is it confirmed by trusted Christian friends or mentors who know you well?
– When serving in these areas, do you experience joy, fruitfulness, and affirmation from mature believers?
– Does it contradict or conflict with clear patterns in your life experiences and service?
– Does it encourage deeper faith, love, and humility rather than pride or selfishness?
– Does it provide good counsel on areas needing growth or redirection?
– Is it helping you identify meaningful ways to build up others in Christian love?
– Is it spurring you to share the gospel, make disciples, and bring glory to God?
Rather than demanding perfect accuracy, view assessments as conversation starters to aid reflection. Evaluate results based on whether they are illuminating areas of growth and opportunities to build up Christ’s body.
What does the Bible say about using your spiritual gifts?
Scripture gives abundant exhortation about properly using spiritual gifts. Believers are called to:
– Use gifts diligently and eagerly, not lazily (Rom 12:6-8)
– Exercise gifts to serve others, not themselves (1 Pet 4:10)
– Accept gifts humbly as undeserved grace, not sources of pride (1 Cor 4:7)
– Seek to excel at using gifts, not neglect them (1 Cor 12:31, 14:12)
– Develop gifts through practice, wisdom and obedience (2 Tim 1:6; Matt 25:14-30)
– Use gifts in unity with the rest of Christ’s body (1 Cor 12:12-27)
– Employ gifts motivated by love, not selfishness (1 Cor 13)
– Depend on God’s power and strength to exercise gifts (1 Pet 4:11)
In summary, believers must seek to steward their gifts well for the glory of God, guided by His word and Spirit rather than personal agendas. Right motivation and faithfulness matter more than the specific gift.
Conclusion
In conclusion, spiritual gift inventories or assessments can have some benefits but must be approached with caution and wisdom. Scripture contains no commands or examples endorsing formal tools for identifying gifts. Believers should focus less on pinpointing their spiritual gifts and more on pursuing growth in Christlike character and serving others in love. With prayerful dependence on the Spirit’s leading, diverse experiences in ministry, and wise counsel from fellow Christians, believers can discover their gifts over time. The ultimate aim is not self-discovery but rightly exercising whatever gifts the Spirit has bestowed to build up Christ’s church worldwide.
