How do I know what my spiritual gift is?

[abigya]

Question: "How do I know what my spiritual gift is?"

Answer: There is no magic formula or spiritual gift test that can tell us exactly what our spiritual gifts are. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). At the same time, God does not want us to be ignorant of how He wants us to serve Him. The problem is that it is very easy for us to get so caught up in spiritual gifts that we only seek to serve God in the area in which we feel we have a spiritual gift. That is not how the spiritual gifts work. God calls us to obediently serve Him. He will equip us with whatever gift or gifts we need to accomplish the task or tasks He has called us to.

Identifying our spiritual giftedness can be accomplished in various ways. Spiritual gift tests or inventories, while not to be fully relied upon, can definitely help us understand where our gifting might be. Confirmation from others also gives light to our spiritual giftedness. Other people who see us serving the Lord can often identify a spiritual gift in use that we might take for granted or not recognize. Prayer is also important. The one person who knows exactly how we are spiritually gifted is the gift-giver Himself – the Holy Spirit. We can ask God to show us how we are gifted, that we might better use our spiritual gifts for His glory.

Yes, God calls some to be teachers and gives them the gift of teaching. God calls some to be servants and blesses them with the gift of helps. However, specifically knowing our spiritual gift does not excuse us from serving God in areas outside our gifting. Is it beneficial to know what spiritual gift(s) God has given us? Of course it is. Is it wrong to focus so much on spiritual gifts that we miss other opportunities to serve God? Yes! If we are dedicated to being used by God, He will equip us with the spiritual gifts we need.

 

[Maureen]

I know I have the gift of writing, as some have said 'you should write a book' but I really wouldn't be sure about that, I love to write but a book is a totally differant thing.

I don't know in what way I could use this gift, I email much, and write letters, have even put together some tracts.

The Lord perhaps will make it clear one day as to what I am to do with it.

 

[Janette]

Thanks so much for the...

Question: "How do I know what my spiritual gift is?"

There is too a formula, but I wouldn't presume to call it magic. It's just that it's so simple that many people try very hard to make it far more complicated, because we've been falsely taught that simple things are neither wise nor worthy.

Answer:

Step 1: Ask the Giver.
Step 2. Accept the answer.
Step 3. Act on the answer given.

Probably everyone I know has honestly done step 1 at least once.
Very few people, myself included, manage step 2 without all sorts of trouble.
Only God's most loyal elect ever reach step 3.

Ask yourself, "Which step am I at, and what prevents me from moving forward?"

 

[WingedGrace]

I think God uses other believers to let us know what they see in us...when my friends tell me certain things that they think that I am gifted with, it opens my eyes to things I was unaware of.

 

[Maureen]

so true,
but they don't even have to be believers, I've had unbelievers say things to me that I was totally amazed at, as I couldn't see them for myself.

wonder why that is?

 

[WingedGrace]

God will use unbelievers to reach His people...and they won't even recognize it unless you tell them.
I think that we try to be humble and not toot our own horns and say "Hey, I'm really good at this!" But it's ok to realize that you have a talent...just balance the humbleness and the pride of having the talent. It's from the Mighty King, we should toot our horns a little!

 

[Maureen]

Know what!
I was told this of a lovely Christain lady, that the first person who will tell a Christian they are doing something wrong, is an non-Christian.

she was so right, because they watch your every move, and are quick to pounce.

guess you answered that well, we don't like to blow our own trumpet, and we also want the Lord to receive the Glory, why should we have any He did it all for us.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow
a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapour in the wind
still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when I'm falling
and you tell who I am, I am yours.

You didn't need me, but you wanted me.

oh don't the words of songs just keep on going on.

 

[mounty]

my gift is with animals ,Dogs mainly.

I have found they are attracted to me lol in a loving way ,strangers dogs come to me in the street and anywere i go really. Just the other night a kitten was curled on my doorstep and when i bought her into the house and called her owner, she refuesed to go home, she put up quite a struggle.

My husband says its only a matter of time before our home becomes a zoo.

 

[Mouse]

I'm not positive about this one...but I think I have a gift for interpreting dreams. Long ago when I was in psychotherapy for an eating disorder my psychiatrist analysed my dreams. She actually helped me along by letting me do the interpreting of my own my dreams. I profitted from it very much.

Lately I've been asking my husband for his dreams and have interpreted those. But I think it's only with people close to me that I can do this. When a family member tells me about their dreams I can get a pretty good idea about what it means.

I don't really know if I have this gift so I'll take those 1,2,3 steps. I remembered Joseph had this gift, however it was for prophecy. This post actually helped me to recognize this.

 

[trulyblezzed]

God's policy: Ask and you shall receive. I started getting spiritual gifts when I started to ask!

I'm currently praying for the gift of prophecy. In one of the books of the gospel, Paul (i think it was Paul) said it's better to have the gift of prophecy above other gifts because it affects other people's lives!!!

PRAISE GOD IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY! and In the Name of Jesus... I WILL get that gift!~~~I declare it~~~ :star:

 

[Maureen]

Paul indeed it was, I pray you will receive your blessing of Prophecy but we must wait on the Lord in all things.

Paul came through much and counted it all gain for Christ, he to had a 'thorn in the flesh' which wasn't removed, Jesus thought better of it to let him suffer it. He does everything well.

Daniel could interprete dreams, and Joseph, I'm sure also.

Prophecy edifies the church, it would be a marvelous gift sister.
We have a marvelous giver.

I like your gift Bounty for the dogs, how sweet, our four legged friends, unconditional love, shout at them, scold them and what do they do, come wagging their tails behind them at you, how sweet is that, pity we can't be so forgiving and so quickly too.
I just love dogs, and cats, most all animals but cats and dogs have to be my fav's.