Here are some possible spiritual gifts taken from spiritualgifts.wordpress.com (a site I suggest you visit pronto), how to develop them, and, ultimately, how to use them (again, according to this site with a little rewording and additions from yours truly). Take a gander and know there is a difference between humility and self-deprecation so get to know your gifts, dang it!
Administration: Govern, pilot, direct, or steer.
Basically, this person knows how to get things done. Organization is key and when someone in the leadership role needs something done efficiently, they turn to you. However, be careful of becoming a bully, just because you’re great at making things happen doesn’t mean everyone else is going to work on your level.
You are going to be needed to organize events, meetings, help with finances and office administrations. Look for opportunities that will allow you to get the ball rolling as opposed to positions that require doing the same basic work day after day. When a pastor delegates, they delegate to you so be prepared, oh wait, of course you will.
Discernment: distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil.
It is up to you and your gut to help family, friends, small groups, and the church at large to make important decisions when it comes to spiritual battles. You cut to the quick and tell it like it is. Your understanding of the Will of God helps you to offer, with confidence, a decision that people can trust. But remember to keep your pride in check as mistakes are a part of being human and it’s important you freely admit yours. You can’t be right all the time but your insight will speak for itself and people will turn to you when tough questions arise.
Important opportunities to serve arise with this gift. Your ability to help the church make important decisions as well as settle any disputes may seem obvious but be open also to those who seek council for they will benefit immensely from your gift. Discernment does not come easy to most of us, who mull around questions of right and wrong until we are blue in the face so know that your gift will be much appreciated by many.
Encouragement: console, comfort, exhort, implore with others.
When you see someone who is down, your natural impulse is to pick them up, dust them off, and push them in the right direction. Many people know how and when to encourage but only people who have been given this gift take it to the next level. You make sure that those around you are aware of the hope and potential in every situation, no matter how difficult. You help to build morale and will be remembered by those who are hurting. Careful of a “quick fix” however and remember that true empathy is what is needed, not spiritual jargon.
You would also be a wonderful councilor, especially to those who need guidance through tough situations such as single parents, the sick, and the elderly. Some things cannot be “solved” but there is always a brighter side and you are the one to point that out and foster an attitude of hope.
Faith: persuasion, credence, or moral conviction.
Those of you with the gift of faith, much coveted among believers, believe with certainty that all things are done according to the will of God. You are “sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.” This wonderful gift allows you to step out in complete assurance of God’s control and supernatural ability no matter how impossible the situation may seem. You are a witness to believers and non-believers alike and your confidence gives hope. Remember that it is God’s will and not your faith that makes things happen so don’t get upset when things don’t go your way, because God’s ways are often mysterious.
Your faith will help the church make it through the difficult times in long term-projects. You would also do wonders in prayer groups and missions as a strong belief in God’s power is important in both. Get together with someone whose gift is to encourage, you two would make a dynamic duo!
Giving: impart, give over, share, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver, or grant.
Giving isn’t just about material things and if this is your gift you understand this better than anyone. You’re not giving things, you’re giving yourself. Whether it be your time, your abilities, your knowledge, or your love, you give generously. You also know that attitude is just important as action when it comes to sharing with others, giving cheerfully and without reservation. Be careful not to flaunt your gift however, seeking praise from others is an easy trap to fall into so make sure that you are giving to honor God even if no one ever notices.
Your gift will be best used with finances. Encourage the church to give where there is need and let your generous nature rub-off on those around you. You may be able to find resources to give, lend, and share with others that the leaders within your church may have never thought to offer. Also, I want to be your friend.
Healing: effect a cure through God’s supernatural power.
Right off the bat, when I read of the gift “healing,” I imagined laying hands on someone, yelling loud prayers towards the sky, and giving the blind sight. Though miraculous healing is absolutely possible through the Lord and does happen today, this is not what the gift of healing ultimately means. Those of you who have this gift are what we refer to as prayer-warriors. When people need healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, you are the one they want to see as you take it straight to the Big Guy. You have faith that the Lord can do wondrous things and through his power and love, people can be made well. Try not to be discouraged when things do not work out the way you hoped they would. God has a purpose that is not always easy to understand but we know that when his Will is being done, all is well.
Pray, pray, pray. Privately and as a part of a group, pray for healing within your family, church, community, and beyond. Also, take your gift to the streets and visit places that could use your faith in healing and prayer such as local convalescent homes and hospitals.
Helps: giving assistance, bringing relief, to participate, strongly lay hold of, exchange
The important part of helping in this sense is not simply the act of giving but the act of receiving as well. The interchange between you and another person while you help them also helps you. Those with this gift understand that it is about building a relationship and sharing of yourself, the biggest part of being a helper. Remember to be patient with those who do not have the same automatic impulse to help those in need but be an example to them through your actions and love. Also, do not be afraid to say no. The word “no” is not an easy phrase to utter for many helpers but you run the risk of burning out if you neglect your own needs. Lastly, people may become co-dependent, allowing yourself to become a crutch is ultimately hurting, not helping, others.
Use this gift to mentor others as well as volunteering your time in those areas that the church simply needs a helping-hand. There are numerous opportunities for this type of gift all over the community and it will be greatly appreciated by many.
Teaching: communicate the truths of the scriptures so that those that hear it put it to practice
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but I’m gonna explain it anyway. If you have the gift of teaching, you have the overwhelming desire to make the Word of God known to others so that they can apply that knowledge to their own life and situations. With persistence, something you have in abundance, difficult truths can be made easier to comprehend over time. The real excitement for you is to see realization in the faces of those you share with. Concepts they may not have otherwise grasped becomes alive and meaningful because of your insight and desire to share what you know. But be careful not to rely solely on your own skills and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Also, like the other gifts, pride can always muddy the water so be sure to keep yourself humble, remembering that it is God working through you.
Teach. In whatever circumstance arises. Allow the Lord to guide you, whether with a small at-home bible study or within a church of your own. Sunday school classes or joining an education committee are also great ways to share this gift. Remember that you can use your gift not just in the church, but within your community also, secular schools can use your strong Christian character as well.
Leadership: rule, preside, or stand over
The importance of you Leaders is not only the fact that you recognize a need but you also are able to see a solution. You are the captain of the ship and it is your passion that helps others reach their goals. Your direction and oversight promotes growth and your ability to delegate gets things done by making use of all the gifts within your family, church, community, and workplace. Power, prestige, and pride will plague you more than the others. Be careful not to see yourself as Top Dog, this may create rivalry and the undue pride attached to it may cause more harm than good.
Consider positions such as pastor, teacher, department heads or become involved in leading para-church projects.
Knowledge: to know something experientially, intuitively and in the present – impressed cognitively by God
Knowledge is all about experience. The longer you know the Lord and follow His word, the more knowledge you will gain and the easier it will be for Him to speak through you. You have a desire to “seek out, investigate, and personally experience the meaning of God’s word.” You have a lust for learning and it is this yearning to constantly get to know Him better that drives your gift. You openly share your knowledge with others and delight in the impact this knowledge has on each one of our lives. You know truth and seek it with a fervor that is extremely important in the church today. Remember what the apostle Paul says, “If I have knowledge without love, I am nothing.” Do not become prideful or insensitive to others opinions.
If you have this gift you likely have the gift of teaching as well. Giving your knowledge and understanding to others is important and highly beneficial to the church. The field of Theology and Apologetics could also use a mind like yours to help further the Faith. Your understanding, offered in contemporary terms, may help some skeptics out there to see the truth or further solidify those who already believe but lack the depth of knowledge you have attained.
Mercy: to be led by God to be compassionate in attitude, word, and action
Mercy is about action, not pity. You see someone in need, have empathy for them, and take action to right the situation. Your caring nature and insight into people’s feelings, emotions, and troubles allows you to better serve those around you. This will speak inside and outside of the church as an attitude of mercy is so important in the spread of Jesus’ message. Showing mercy creates healing and fosters an attitude of love, something much needed in our current society. Be careful not to look for immediate solutions and, as a result, ignore the long-term issue. Mercy is ongoing and many problems and situations that require mercy are ongoing so be prepared for the long-haul.
Your gift would best be served within your immediate community as your attitude of mercy and love will speak to believers and non-believers alike. Visitations with the sick, elderly, homeless, and other organizations that help build up the community. There are so many groups of people out there that are often forgotten yet it is these groups that Jesus has specifically asked us to reach out to. Your gift will help fulfill the role we are meant to play as born-again Christians.
Miracles: a force or power
This one is tricky as we don’t see as many miracles now-a-days as we did back in Jesus’ time. That does not mean that miracles do not happen or that people do not possess this special gift. On the contrary, this gift belongs to those who realize that man can only do so much and those situations that seem impossible are only made possible through God’s supernatural ability to intervene. Those of you who have been blessed by this gift recognize when God is needed in a situation and ask Him to display His power. Again, be careful of pride and false-claims. This can get you in to heaps of trouble, but you already knew that.
It is your job to create an atmosphere of worship, praise, and Holiness. Your strong belief in God’s supernatural power is an important part of keeping the church alive and well. Through support and prayer you can keep the fire alive.
Prophecy: prediction, inspired speaker, to speak under inspiration
Paul says that prophecy for us in the New Testament era is meant to edify, encourage, and comfort believers. Those of you who possess this gift are able to speak “on God’s behalf with authority on the Christian experience.” It is your tough job to warn us of God’s judgment and make it applicable to our day, age, and culture. You help to apply the scripture to our lives as they are now and keep us accountable not unlike philosophers of Ancient Greece though it is important to remember that your insight and ability comes from the Lord alone.
Use your gift to keep the church on their toes, making sure that they remain accountable and do not stray from the true teachings of the Lord. With a speaking or writing ministry or a leadership role within the church, you can accomplish these goals.
Service: aid, relieve, help, attend, wait on people through menial duties
This is an excellent gift as it is given widely throughout the Christian community. The Lord says, “The greatest will be servant to the rest.” We are all called to serve but it is you special individuals that make it an absolute blessing. You have a great attitude about serving no matter how mundane or tedious the task. You are just happy to help. The church is in need of true servants like you who bring joy to your work and volunteer because you know it is the right thing to do. Bravo. Be careful of overworking yourself. Not everyone volunteers for the type of tasks you're willingly raise your hands for and this means that there is a lot of work to do and very little hands to help. Do what you can and encourage others in a loving way to pick up the slack.
The need is endless and can range from organizing events to cleaning carpets. No task is too big or too small. You can do it all. Do work!
Wisdom: ability to apply biblical spiritual knowledge to living a Godly life
The wise among us are able to use God’s word and apply it to different situations. With this gift, you are able to discover the best approach to a problem according to the will of God. It is also your job to make the truth of the Bible relevant for everyday decision-making. Your love to read, meditate, and commune with God gives you a wisdom that benefits the church in many ways. Don’t run the risk of giving generic advice, however, and focus on each situation as it’s own unique issue.
You’re pretty much needed anywhere understanding is appreciated. There are very few ministries that will say, “You know, I don’t really think we need any wisdom in the project but thanks anyway.” Spread your wisdom around and let those around you benefit.
Phew! That’s all of ‘em. I realize that was ridiculously long and I truly apologize for the length. Actually, I take that apology back cuz chances are no one actually read all of that. Oh well, at least read the next part to see how you can discover your own gifts.
I took the test offered on the website above and found that my spiritual gifts lean toward:
Giving, Teaching, Healing, and Helps.
I feel those are pretty accurate. I scored low on things like Administration and Leadership which I also feel is right on the money as I prefer to work behind the scenes. You can also take this simple test by clicking on the link above and following the simple instructions.
These are the “gifts of the Holy Spirit” and each is attainable by all, we only have to ask:
Wisdom - desire for the things of God, and to direct our whole life and all our actions to His honor and glory
Understanding - enable us to know more clearly the mysteries of faith
Counsel - warn us of the deceits of the devil, and of the dangers to salvation
Fortitude - strengthen us to do the will of God in all things
Knowledge - enable us to discover the will of God in all things
Piety - love God as a Father, and obey Him because we love Him
Fear of the Lord - have a dread of sin and fear of offending God
"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith." - Romans 12: 4-6
The “in proportion to his faith” part is a whole other blog, one I’m probably not qualified to write, but you should definitely think it over.
-Age
