Spiritual Gifts — How to Think About Them Today
Spiritual Gifts — How to Think About Them Today
Gifts Are Given to Serve the Church, Not to Build a Spiritual Résumé
Spiritual gifts are one of the most fascinating—and sometimes confusing— parts of the Christian life. Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit equips believers in different ways, but those gifts were never meant to create status, competition, or spiritual showmanship. They were given for one great purpose: to build up the body of Christ.
Christians can become strangely preoccupied with spiritual gifts.
What is my gift?
Do I have more than one?
Is my gift important?
Is someone else’s gift more spiritual than mine?
Do miraculous gifts still happen?
How do I know whether something is really from the Holy Spirit?
Those are reasonable questions.
But Scripture begins somewhere else.
Spiritual gifts are not first about discovering what makes us special. They are about how God intends to use us for the good of other people.
What Is a Spiritual Gift?
A spiritual gift is an ability or capacity given and empowered by the Holy Spirit for service in the life and mission of the church.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV
Notice the phrase:
“For the common good.”
That immediately gives us the purpose.
Gifts are not trophies.
They are not proof that one Christian is more important than another.
They are not spiritual decorations.
A spiritual gift is God’s provision for helping someone else.
The Holy Spirit Decides How the Gifts Are Distributed
“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
1 Corinthians 12:11, NIV
That means spiritual gifts are not assigned according to status.
Age.
Education.
Popularity.
Personality.
Or our ability to impress people.
The Spirit gives as He chooses. Our responsibility is to receive humbly and serve faithfully.
Spiritual Gifts Are Not Reserved for Pastors
One of the easiest mistakes in church life is to imagine that ministry belongs mostly to the people on the platform.
Scripture says otherwise.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.”
1 Peter 4:10, NIV
Each of you.
The church is not supposed to be a room full of spectators watching a few gifted people do ministry.
The New Testament picture is a body in which every member contributes something.
The Church Is a Body
“Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV
A body needs different parts.
An eye cannot become an ear.
A hand cannot replace a foot.
The diversity is not a defect.
It is the design.
The church becomes healthier when different believers stop competing and start contributing.
Some Gifts Are Visible. Others Are Quiet.
Public gifts tend to attract attention.
Preaching.
Teaching.
Leadership.
Music.
But much of the church’s strength comes from gifts that rarely attract applause.
Visibility and value are not the same thing.
There Is More Than One List
The New Testament discusses spiritual gifts in several places.
Prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy.
Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation.
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Broadly groups gifts around speaking and serving.
That raises an interesting question:
Are these lists intended to be exhaustive?
Probably not.
The lists overlap, but they are not identical.
Scripture seems more interested in faithful service than in giving us a perfectly complete catalog.
Is a Spiritual Gift Different From a Natural Talent?
Sometimes yes.
Sometimes the distinction is not as simple as we might think.
A person may naturally be a strong communicator and later use that ability in teaching.
Someone may have a natural gift for organization that becomes useful in church leadership.
Another person may discover an unusual capacity for encouragement after coming to Christ.
God is Creator as well as Redeemer.
He can use personality, experience, training, natural ability, suffering, wisdom, and spiritual empowerment together.
Do not become so obsessed with separating “natural” from “spiritual” that you fail to use what God has actually given you.
The Goal Is the Maturity of the Church
Paul explains that Christ gives gifts so God’s people can be equipped for ministry.
“To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Ephesians 4:12, NIV
And where is all of this heading?
“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature.”
Ephesians 4:13, NIV
Spiritual gifts exist to help people mature in Christ.
How Do You Discover Your Spiritual Gifts?
Some Christians become anxious about this question.
They want a test.
A label.
A definite answer.
Spiritual-gifts inventories can sometimes be useful.
But the New Testament does not tell Christians to begin with a questionnaire.
A better approach is often:
Gifts are often discovered while ministry is happening.
Where does your service genuinely help people?
Others may recognize strengths that you overlook.
What needs repeatedly draw your attention?
A gift does not eliminate the need for training.
“That’s Not My Gift” Can Become an Excuse
Spiritual gifts do not erase ordinary Christian responsibilities.
You may not have a special gift of mercy.
You are still called to be merciful.
You may not have a special gift of evangelism.
You are still called to bear witness to Christ.
You may not have a special gift of giving.
You are still called to be generous.
You may not have a special gift of encouragement.
You are still called to encourage.
A spiritual gift may describe where God has especially equipped you. It does not cancel the ordinary commands of Christian discipleship.
Gifting Is Not the Same as Maturity
This is one of the most important truths in the whole discussion.
The Corinthian church had many gifts.
Paul says:
“You do not lack any spiritual gift.”
1 Corinthians 1:7, NIV
Yet the church also struggled with:
You can be gifted and immature at the same time.
Do Not Confuse the Gifts of the Spirit With the Fruit of the Spirit
Gifts describe capacities for service.
Fruit describes Christlike character.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22–23, NIV
Gifts differ among believers.
Fruit should grow in every believer.
A dramatic gift without love is not spiritual maturity.
Paul Places Love in the Middle of the Gifts Discussion
First Corinthians 12 discusses gifts.
First Corinthians 14 discusses gifts.
Between them sits one of the most famous chapters in the Bible.
“If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV
That placement is not accidental.
Gifts without love become noise. Love gives gifts their proper direction.
Paul’s Answer Is More Practical Than Competitive
The Corinthians seemed fascinated with spectacular gifts.
Paul repeatedly redirects them toward what builds up other people.
“Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:12, NIV
The best gift in a particular moment may simply be the one that most helps the person in front of you.
Christians Disagree About Whether All Gifts Continue Today
This is where the cessationist and continuationist debate enters the conversation.
Cessationists generally believe certain miraculous or revelatory gifts had a special foundational role in the apostolic church.
Continuationists generally believe those gifts remain available according to the Spirit’s will.
Faithful Christians can be found on both sides.
Whatever position we hold, every spiritual claim must remain subject to the authority of Scripture.
Handle Claims of Revelation With Great Care
Few phrases should make Christians more cautious than:
“God told me.”
If God has clearly spoken in Scripture, we can say so confidently.
But personal impressions require greater humility.
Better language may be:
“I believe the Lord may be leading me this way, but I want to test that carefully.”
Scripture commands discernment.
“Test them all; hold on to what is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21, NIV
Public Worship Still Requires Order
Whatever one believes about tongues today, Paul establishes clear principles.
Worship should build up the church.
People should understand what is happening.
Interpretation matters.
Disorder is not proof of spiritual freedom.
“Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
1 Corinthians 14:40, NIV
The Holy Spirit does not need confusion in order to prove that He is present.
Pray Boldly Without Making Promises God Has Not Made
Christians should pray for healing.
God can heal.
God sometimes heals dramatically.
Yet faithful Christians also get sick.
Paul himself experienced weakness.
Timothy had physical problems.
Trophimus was left sick.
We should therefore reject the idea that every sickness proves inadequate faith.
Pray with confidence in God’s power and humility about God’s providence.
Spiritual Language Can Be Used to Manipulate People
Claims of gifting do not place anyone above accountability.
Be cautious when someone:
Genuine spiritual gifts do not need manipulation to survive examination.
How Should We Evaluate the Use of Spiritual Gifts?
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
1 John 4:1, NIV
Talent Does Not Remove the Need for Character
Churches sometimes excuse unhealthy behavior because someone is gifted.
“But he is such a good preacher.”
“But she is so effective.”
“But look how many people follow him.”
Scripture does not allow charisma to replace character.
The qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 overwhelmingly emphasize character.
A gift may make someone influential. Character determines whether that influence is trustworthy.
Being Gifted Does Not Mean You Have Nothing Left to Learn
A gifted teacher should study.
A gifted leader should grow in wisdom.
A gifted musician should practice.
A gifted evangelist should learn to communicate clearly.
A person gifted in mercy should still develop discernment.
Paul told Timothy:
“Fan into flame the gift of God.”
2 Timothy 1:6, NIV
Gifts are given by grace, but faithful stewardship often requires work.
Spiritual Gifts Do Not Expire When We Reach a Certain Age
Our physical abilities may change.
Our season of life may change.
The way we serve may change.
But usefulness in the body of Christ does not end at retirement.
Years of experience may deepen:
Some of the church’s most valuable gifts are carried by people who have walked with God for a long time.
Do Not Dismiss Younger Believers Either
Paul told Timothy:
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.”
1 Timothy 4:12, NIV
The church needs generations serving together.
Older Christians need younger Christians.
Younger Christians need older Christians.
The body becomes stronger when generations stop competing and start learning from one another.
Do Not Wish You Were Somebody Else
The foot does not need to become the hand.
The quiet servant does not need to become the preacher.
The teacher does not need to become the musician.
The administrator does not need to become the evangelist.
God has arranged the body intentionally.
“God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
1 Corinthians 12:18, NIV
Envy makes us despise the place where God may actually be calling us to serve.
Do Not Think the Church Cannot Function Without You
Gifting can produce pride.
Success can produce pride.
Praise can produce pride.
Paul asks:
“What do you have that you did not receive?”
1 Corinthians 4:7, NIV
If the gift was received, boasting makes no sense.
A gift is grace before it is achievement.
Never Underestimate the Ministry of Showing Up
Sometimes spiritual gifts sound mysterious.
But much of Spirit-empowered ministry looks wonderfully ordinary.
Do not overlook ordinary faithfulness while waiting for extraordinary ministry.
Spiritual Gifts Are Not Mainly Private
The language of spiritual gifts in the New Testament is overwhelmingly corporate.
The body.
The church.
One another.
The common good.
Building up.
Serving.
If your gift never blesses anyone else, you may have misunderstood what spiritual gifts are for.
Gifts Can Be Used Through New Tools Without Changing Their Purpose
The apostles did not have websites, livestreams, podcasts, email, or social media.
We do.
Technology can extend:
The tools change.
The purpose does not.
Technology is useful when it helps us serve people rather than merely build an audience.
Your Gift Is Not a License to Become a Lone-Ranger Christian
Some gifted people become frustrated when churches do not immediately recognize them.
That frustration can turn into independence.
“I don’t need the church.”
But spiritual gifts were given precisely for the body.
“So in Christ we, though many, form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others.”
Romans 12:5, NIV
A genuinely spiritual gift should make us more useful to the body, not more independent of it.
See a Need. Serve.
You do not need perfect certainty about your spiritual-gift profile before doing something useful.
Someone needs encouragement?
Encourage them.
Someone needs a meal?
Bring one.
Someone needs prayer?
Pray.
Someone needs to hear the Gospel?
Speak.
A ministry needs help?
Help.
Gifts are often discovered in motion, not while waiting for perfect certainty.
What Might God Be Asking You to Do?
The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts to Glorify Christ
Jesus said of the Spirit:
“He will glorify me.”
John 16:14, NIV
That means the ultimate test of spiritual gifting is not:
“Did people notice me?”
It is:
“Did this help people see, trust, obey, and love Jesus?”
The Spirit gives the gifts. The church receives the benefit. Christ receives the glory.
Your Gift Is Not About You
That may be the simplest way to think about spiritual gifts.
They come from God.
They are given by grace.
They differ from person to person.
They require humility.
They require discernment.
They should operate in order.
They should be developed faithfully.
They must never outrun Christian character.
Your gift is not your identity.
Jesus is.
Your gift is one way He has equipped you to love and serve His people.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”
1 Peter 4:10, NIV
Discover what God has given you.
Develop it faithfully.
Use it humbly.
Test everything by Scripture.
Build up the church.
Love people well.
And let Jesus get the glory.