What The Bible Says About Spiritual Gifts

If you've grown up in church, you've most likely heard of "spiritual gifts." Maybe people have even praised you for your spiritual gifts before. But what exactly is a spiritual gift? And how is it different than our natural talents?

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul, under direction of the Holy Spirit, explains what these gifts are:

"God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when."

How cool is that? In this passage, we learn several things about spiritual gifts:

1. Paul made it very clear that all spiritual gifts come from God. This one is kind of obvious - I mean the word itself implies other-worldly influence. Jesus is the only one who can bless you with your spiritual gifts. This means that Unsaved people may have talents, but only those who know Jesus have spiritual gifts.

2. We also learn that every saved person has a spiritual gift. At this point, you may be wondering what yours are, or if you even have one. That's where I am right now. BUT...

3. Spiritual gifts may not be given to you right away. The end of this passage states that "[God] decides who gets what, and when." This implies that not everyone is born with their gifts.

4. Paul shows us that our spiritual gifts can only be exercised through the spirit. If we are living in a way that is unpleasing to Him, He cannot work through us. Our gifts can only be exercised when we have full belief in the power of the spirit and what He can do through you.

5. And finally, we see that we should be unashamed of sharing our gifts. Why should we be if it's not through our strength anyway? When we use our gifts, people should see the Glory of God, not the glory of us. 1 Peter 4:10 says "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

Don't doubt the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. If we just have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains! Just imagine what he can do though us if we learn to use of gifts for His glory!

What are y'all's spiritual gifts? How do you use them on a daily basis to serve Him?