What are spiritual gifts? A gift is defined as something that is given willingly without payment. It is also defined as a natural ability or talent. The word 'spiritual' is a little bit harder to define. It is used to describe things relating to the human spirit. Things of the spirit are often religious and the opposite of things found physically in nature. Which means they cannot be seen, felt or experienced in any common way.
Putting these two definitions together, a spiritual gift is a gift that is supernaturally given. An empowerment given through the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that we are all given gifts. Gifts that we are born with. Given to us by God for a specific purpose in His kingdom. But the power to activate and use these powers efficiently comes from the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
When you find your gift it will make sense to you. It will be something that has always been a part of you. But it may not become obvious what it is until you are born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, renewed. There are many things you can call it, but there is an unmistakable spiritual change that takes place. That opens the door to the extraordinary, more abundant life that the Bible speaks of.
Your gifts and how they work, will be a specific and personal to you. Just as specific as your personality. There are many people with the same gifts. The end result of the gift may be the same but how that person receives, uses or accesses it may be completely different.
These gifts can't be taught, given or requested from another person. They are given by God and unique to you. The Bible says that these gifts include faith, wisdom, word of knowledge, gift of healing, working miracles, discerning spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, leadership, encouragement, mercy, teaching, helping, ministry/ service, administration, giving, and grace.
You can any combination of the gifts listed. Just reading them you may know already which ones speak to you. But these gift grow and change as you do, so don't put yourself in a box. God is amazing and life with Him can be extraordinary. My advice is to live a life worthy of your gifts and watch how God blesses them.
Romans 12:66Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
John 10:1010The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
1 Corinthians 12:8-108For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1 Peter 4:1111If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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