The Bible mentions a wide variety of spiritual gifts that God has given to believers in order to build up the church and spread the gospel. Though there are varying lists and definitions of the gifts throughout Scripture, some main categories emerge:
Gifts of Speaking and Teaching
These gifts relate to vocally proclaiming the gospel and explaining biblical truth:
- Prophecy – Speaking the words of God to others for their edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). This is often a spontaneous prompting of the Spirit.
- Teaching – Explaining and applying God’s Word for the building up and maturing of believers (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11). Teaching requires time and diligent study.
- Exhortation – Coming alongside other believers with words of encouragement, appeal, comfort, and counsel (Romans 12:8). The gift of exhortation exhibits hope, courage, and help.
- Word of Wisdom – Offering perspective and heavenly insight regarding difficult situations and decisions (1 Corinthians 12:8). This wisdom transcends human wisdom.
- Word of Knowledge – Providing specific truth that could only come through divine revelation (1 Corinthians 12:8). This knowledge transcends human knowledge.
Gifts of Serving and Leading
These gifts focus on practical service and administration in the church:
- Serving/Ministering – Recognizing and meeting the practical needs of others cheerfully behind the scenes (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28). Selfless service in physical ways.
- Leadership – Overseeing and directing the church through planning, delegating, and guiding (Romans 12:8). Leadership combines direction and humility.
- Administration – Organizing people, tasks, and resources effectively for the work of the ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28). Administration focuses on details.
- Giving – Contributing financially and materially to the work of the Lord with generosity and simplicity (Romans 12:8). Giving is Spirit-led, not obligation-driven.
- Mercy – Demonstrating compassion, care, and practical help to those in need (Romans 12:8). Mercy is love in action.
- Hospitality – Welcoming, inviting, and caring for guests with a warm spirit (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality makes people feel wanted.
Gifts of Faith and Prayer
These gifts express dependence on God through trust and intercession:
- Faith – Trusting God confidently for the impossible and unknown (1 Corinthians 12:9). Faith depends on God, not tangible proof.
- Healing – Praying for the miraculous restoration of the sick and diseased (1 Corinthians 12:9). Healing reveals God’s power.
- Miracles – Praying for God’s supernatural intervention in impossible situations (1 Corinthians 12:10). Miracles display God’s might.
- Discerning Spirits – Distinguishing truth from error and good from evil, especially regarding teaching (1 Corinthians 12:10). Discernment uncovers deception.
- Tongues – Praying in a heavenly language to praise God (1 Corinthians 12:10). Tongues transcend natural understanding.
- Interpretation of Tongues – Explaining the meaning of tongues so others can understand (1 Corinthians 12:10). Interpretation explains the unexplained.
How Spiritual Gifts Are Imparted and Employed
Scripture teaches some key principles about spiritual gifts:
- They are given freely and supernaturally by the Holy Spirit as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:11).
- Every believer receives at least one gift to use for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10).
- No gift is given for a believer’s private benefit but for the benefit of others (1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:12).
- Spiritual gifts provide a taste of what is to come in Christ (Hebrews 6:5).
- Gifts are given to equip believers for works of service and to build up the body (Ephesians 4:12).
- Gifts are interdependent within the church body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-8).
- Love must accompany gifts as the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 13).
- Gifts must be used orderly and properly (1 Corinthians 14:26-40).
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Here are some biblical keys to discovering your spiritual gifts:
- Earnestly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). Pray for wisdom and an open mind.
- Take a spiritual gifts inventory test and ask others their assessment.
- Consider your natural abilities and how they may or may not coincide with certain gifts.
- Step out in faith and begin serving in areas you may be gifted in.
- Pay attention to affirmation from others as you use your gifts. Look for fruitfulness when operating in an area.
- Listen to the conviction and prompting of the Holy Spirit within when utilizing certain gifts.
- Prayerfully experiment with different gifts until you sense God’s calling, passion, and empowerment in certain areas.
Cautions Regarding Spiritual Gifts
Since believers can misunderstand spiritual gifts or even use them with wrong motives, Scripture provides some cautions:
- Don’t be ignorant about gifts or quench their proper use (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20).
- Don’t confuse natural talents with true spiritual gifts.
- Don’t covet flashy gifts you don’t possess (1 Corinthians 12:11, 29-30).
- Don’t place gifts meant for serving as more important than others (1 Corinthians 12:21-25).
- Don’t minister spiritual gifts independent of biblical truth and love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
- Don’t confuse supernatural manifestations with the real filling of the Holy Spirit.
- Don’t use a gift you don’t possess or haven’t cultivated trying to impress others (Romans 12:3-8).
Embrace Spiritual Gifts as Tools for Ministry
When believers understand the various spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture, they can more effectively discover and employ the unique gifts imparted to them by God’s Spirit. Far from selfish ambition or pretension, spiritual gifts are meant for God’s glory and for building up others in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-16). As Christians serve others through the motivation of biblical love and the empowerment of the Spirit, they will fulfill their callings as the hands and feet of Christ on earth while also storing up eternal rewards in heaven (Matthew 6:1-4, 19-21).
The Bible compares the interdependent diversity of spiritual gifts within the church to the interdependent diversity of parts and organs within the human body. As each part relies on and contributes to the health of the whole body, so every spiritual gift and ministry contribution is needed for the mission and maturity of the church as the body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). An awareness and employment of spiritual gifts according to Scripture brings great enrichment and unity to the church as a whole (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 4:11-16).
Christians throughout the ages have exercised these gifts uniquely as the Holy Spirit led each individual while also profiting the whole body of Christ. As we use our own spiritual gifts to build others up in the present day, we carry on the example of Jesus and the early church to make disciples and spread the gospel until Christ returns (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).