What are Spiritual Gifts?
Defining Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are supernatural graces given by the Holy Spirit to believers to serve God, build up the Church, and fulfill Christ's mission. These gifts are not personality traits, acquired skills, or hobbies (although God can use all of these things as well). Spiritual gifts are empowered by the Spirit and reveal His presence as He ministers through a person.
The Greek word used for “gift” in the New Testament is charisma, which shares a root with charis, meaning “grace.” Spiritual gifts are graces; undeserved and unearned abilities that demonstrate God’s love and power at work in and through His people.
The New Testament gives lists and shares several types of gifts, with some overlap and some variation:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Cor 12:12-31
1 Corinthians 14:1
Romans 1:11
Romans 12:6–8
1 Peter 4:10
Where Do We Learn About Spiritual Gifts?
Biblical passages make it clear that there is a variety of gifts, and they are intended for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). The exact number or classification of gifts may vary by tradition or denominational expression, but what remains central is the source and purpose of the gifts.
Source: Holy Spirit is a gift who gives gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Purpose: To glorify God and strengthen the church (1 Peter 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:7)
Who Has Spiritual Gifts?
Every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 12:11). The Apostle Paul emphasizes that each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).
There are no spiritual “have-nots” in the body of Christ.
This means that:
New believers can receive and walk in spiritual gifts.
Spiritual maturity is not a requirement for receiving a gift, but how you steward the gift does reflect your maturity.
Gifts are not earned, inherited from parents, or passed down through being ordained for ministry. Gifts are distributed as the Spirit wills (1 Corinthians 12:11).
You may not fully recognize your gifts at first, and that’s okay. The journey of discovering and using them often unfolds over time, through prayer, personal reflection, and feedback from your faith community.
The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
It’s important to remember the purpose behind spiritual gifts. They are not about performance, spiritual hierarchy, or to be used as a form of entertainment. The purpose of the gifts is deeply relational and missional:
1. To Glorify God
The ultimate goal of every gift is to glorify God. As Peter puts it, “If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised” (1 Peter 4:11).
2. To Build Up the Church
Spiritual gifts are meant to strengthen, equip, and encourage the body of Christ. They are not for personal ego, but for communal edification (Ephesians 4:12-13). When each member contributes their gift, the Church grows in strength, unity, and maturity. It’s imperative to be involved within a local church — you’re a part of the body!
3. To Advance God’s Mission
Whether evangelizing, leading, serving, or praying with great faith, the gifts of the Spirit propel the Church forward in making disciples and revealing the Kingdom of God on earth (see Acts 1:8, Acts 2).
Types of Gifts
Activities & Tasks
alternatively called “motivational gifts" or "serving gifts”
Helping
Acts of Service
Administrating
Exhortation
Generosity
Leadership
Acts of Mercy
Spiritual Gifts
Words of Wisdom
Words of Knowledge
Prophecy
Faith
Gifts of Healing
Working of Miracles
Distinguishing Between Spirits
Speaking in Various Kinds of Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues
It’s essential to remember that some gifts may appear “natural,” such as helping, while others seem more “supernatural,” like miracles. But all are Spirit-empowered and vital.
Service in Ministry
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Shepherd /Minister
Teachers
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Want to dive deeper into how God has uniquely gifted you? Join the Gifted Course! Get equipped to operate confidently in your supernatural gifts and to walk in the fullness of knowing Christ. Unwrap Paul’s theology of spiritual gifts in this 6-session online course studying 1 Corinthians 12-14.
Are All the Gifts Still Active?
This question is one of the most debated in Christian theology. Some people hold the cessationist viewpoint. Cessationists believe that the spiritual gifts (like speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy) ceased with the apostolic age. Others, known as continuationists, believe that all gifts remain active today.
Biblically, there is no clear indication that any gifts were meant to stop before Christ’s return. In fact, Paul tells the Corinthians that the gifts will cease only “when the perfect comes” (1 Corinthians 13:10). Scholars often interpret this passage as a likely reference to Christ’s return or the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Many modern believers across denominations are experiencing spiritual gifts today, often in ways that bring healing, direction, and gospel witness.
How Do I Discover My Spiritual Gifts?
If you’re wondering what your gifts are, here are some practical steps:
1. Pray and Ask the Holy Spirit
He is the gift-giver, and He delights in empowering believers. Ask God to reveal how He’s gifted you and how He wants to use you.
2. Examine Your Passions and Fruit
What are you naturally drawn to in ministry? Where do you see spiritual fruit when you serve others?
3. Ask Your Church Community
Other believers often see things in us that we miss. Ask mature Christians or your church leaders where they see God at work in your life.
4. Try Different Areas of Service
Sometimes we don’t know our gifts until we step out and try. Serving in different roles can reveal how God works through you.
5. Use a Discernment Tool
Spiritual gift assessments and quizzes can help start the conversation, but they aren’t definitive. God’s work can’t be reduced to a personality quiz, so don’t base your whole life around the results. The results should confirm what you are already seeing and discerning. These quizzes are just tools that God can use! The Holy Spirit Ministry Center offers a Personalized Gift Assessment for any student working through the Gifted Course.
Stewarding Your Gifts Well
Receiving your spiritual gift is just the beginning. Scripture calls us to steward these gifts with humility, love, and integrity. As Paul reminds the Corinthians, even the most miraculous gifts are meaningless without love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Here are a few principles for stewarding your gifts:
Stay connected to God. Gifts flow from intimacy with God, not striving.
Submit your gifts to your local church community. The Church helps guard against pride and error and be accountable to your local church leadership.
Grow in your gift. Be faithful with small things; allow God to refine you.
Operate in love, not performance. Spiritual gifts are not proof of maturity; godly fruit is.
Final Thoughts
God’s gifts are not just for pastors, missionaries, or “extra spiritual” Christians. They are for you; right where you are, in your neighborhood, your job, your family, and your church. They are tools for Kingdom work and signs of God’s nearness, pointing to the reality that the Spirit of God dwells in His people!
Whether you’re teaching the Bible, offering help to someone in need, or praying for healing, if it’s empowered by the Spirit and done in love, God is ministering through you!
The question isn’t if God has gifted you—it’s whether you’ll dare to respond as the Holy Spirit moves through you to impact the world.
So, what’s in your hand? And how will you use it to serve Christ and build up His Church?
Ready to grow in your gifts for the glory of God and good of others?
Get equipped to operate confidently in your supernatural gifts and to walk in the fullness of knowing Christ, and impacting lives for His Kingdom. In the Gifted Course, you’ll learn what the gifts are, hear stories of the gifts operating throughout church history, and discover what that means for you!
What you get
8 Teaching Videos
Interactive Gifted Workbook
Personalized Gift Assessment
