How to Discover Your Spiritual Gifts
Discovering spiritual gifts is a personal journey, one that is unique to each individual. For some, identifying these gifts is a quick process, while for others, it may take more time. Alongside our Spiritual Gifts Assessment Tool, the following steps will help guide you in seeking the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and discovering the gifts that are uniquely yours.
1. Have Faith
Simply visiting this website is a powerful first step. Your curiosity about spiritual gifts shows that you are open to exploring what God has for you. Whether you already suspect what your gift(s) might be or are still uncertain, trust that the Holy Spirit has brought you here for a reason. Remember, everyone’s journey is different.
The Bible is clear that every believer, baptized into the Body of Christ, is given at least one spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:11, the Apostle Paul writes:
“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NIV)
Have faith in this truth, even if you don’t yet know what your specific gift is. As James N. Watkins writes, spiritual progress requires commitment and trust in God’s grace, not just our own wisdom. Rely on Him for guidance.
2. Pray Earnestly
In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus promises:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV)
Prayer is essential in discovering your spiritual gifts. Regularly bring your heart before God, earnestly seeking your place within the Body of Christ. While it may take time, God will reveal your gifts as you persist in prayer. If you already sense what your gift(s) may be, continue praying for clarity and guidance on how to use them in His service.
3. Study the Scriptures
Paul’s letters, particularly in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-13, and Ephesians 4, offer invaluable insights on spiritual gifts. Meditate on these passages, for they explain the different kinds of gifts and their purpose within the church. No list or tool, including this one, can replace the understanding that comes from studying the Word of God. The gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and personal reflection on scripture will deepen your understanding.
You can explore more about Paul’s teachings on spiritual gifts by reading my detailed blog posts in the “Unpacking Paul” series, where we dive into these biblical passages.
4. Explore Your Talents and Passions
Your natural talents and passions can be clues to your spiritual gifts. What activities or tasks do you feel naturally drawn to? These interests could be pointing to a deeper calling within the Body of Christ. Through prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into how your talents and passions align with your spiritual gifts.
5. Don’t Confuse Your Vocation with Your Gift
It’s important to distinguish between your career or vocation and your spiritual gifts. Just because you work in a field like medicine, for example, doesn’t necessarily mean you have the gift of healing. Your vocation is part of God’s plan for your life, but it may not directly relate to your spiritual gifts. Reflect on how your spiritual gifts might complement your vocation, and ask God to show you how they can be used to serve others.
6. Seek Opportunities to Serve
Once you recognize your spiritual gift(s), seek ways to use them within the Body of Christ. The purpose of these gifts is to build up others and to serve the church, which is more than just your local congregation. Christ’s Body includes all believers across the world.
As Romans 12:4-5 states:
“For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5, NIV)
Look for opportunities within your church and beyond to use your gifts to serve others. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that may not have been obvious before.
7. Don’t Try to Choose Your Gift
Finally, don’t try to force a specific gift upon yourself. The Holy Spirit is the one who determines which gifts are given to each believer. While you may pray for certain gifts, trust that the Holy Spirit knows what is best for you and for the Body of Christ. Be open to receiving the gifts that He has for you, knowing that they are intended for His glory and for the good of others.
Discovering your spiritual gifts is a journey that requires patience, prayer, and faith. Trust in God’s guidance as you explore the gifts He has given you, and be ready to use them to serve His Kingdom and to bless others.
