What was the best gift you’ve ever received? Was it wrapped in shiny paper and ribbons? When we think of gifts, most of us think about tangible items, such as presents we receive for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. But there’s another consideration for Christians—spiritual gifts. These are precious gifts that are far more valuable and they only come from God.
Spiritual gifts are not all wrapped and decorated with ribbons and beautiful paper, yet they are precious nonetheless. They’re specifically designed tools (abilities) for each believer, which are given through the Holy Spirit. God gifts us these spiritual gifts to work His will and to strengthen other believers in the body of Christ.
We should be thankful for the gifts God had given us, including spiritual gifts. In this article, we’ll take a look at what spiritual gifts are, how they’re used, and why we should be thankful for them.
What are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given to each believer through the Holy Spirit. They enable us to serve God and others in powerful, unique ways. These gifts cannot be earned or deserved; they are only given through God’s grace through faith.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (NKJV) This is an important passage about the origin of spiritual gifts. The verse says that these gifts are given by God through the Holy Spirit. They are given to believers who have faith in Christ.
Paul writes in I Corinthians 12:4-7, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences in ministries, but it is the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all…”
The Bible identifies a variety of spiritual gifts, including the following:
1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
Romans 12:6-8: includes the gifts of prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and showing mercy. Here, Paul stresses the importance of using these gifts with humility and love.
Ephesians 4:11-13: the gifts mentioned in this passage include roles such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their purpose is to equip God’s people for works of service and build up the body of Christ.
Each spiritual gift varies widely and is not the same as natural talents. Natural talents are innate abilities each of us is born with. These are developed over time through practice. On the other hand, spiritual gifts are divinely empowered abilities that have supernatural effectiveness in fulfilling God’s purposes. Some gifts are more visible (like teaching or leadership), while others are found behind the scenes (such as administration and mercy). Each spiritual gift is essential to serving God and building up the church.
Common Misconceptions
Understanding spiritual gifts can be challenging. Some try to compare their gifts. Some may even feel as if their gifts are insignificant. Then, others may use their spiritual gifts for personal gain.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul directly addresses these and many other issues. He uses a metaphor about the body to demonstrate that each gift is unique and special. The body cannot function without each part working together. The metaphor shows us that each spiritual gift is essential for God’s work, and none is insignificant.
Every believer has a role in God’s kingdom, and we have at least one spiritual gift. These gifts are meant to complement one another, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12. No gift is insignificant; all are necessary for the health of the body and growth of the Church.
Understanding spiritual gifts encourages us to seek God’s will and rely on His spirit as we use our gifts to serve others.
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Believers can find it challenging to discern which spiritual gifts they’ve received from God. They may also have unused gifts, which they may learn about later in life. It can happen!
Here are some steps you can take to discover your spiritual gifts:
Pray for guidance: ask God to reveal the gifts He’s given you.
Reflect on your passions and strengths: often, our spiritual gifts align with activities that bring us joy and purpose.
Seek affirmation from others: trusted believers can help you recognize spiritual gifts you may overlook.
Take a spiritual gifts assessment: use this tool alongside prayer and counsel from a spiritual leader. Such an assessment should always be used with prayer and counsel from a spiritual leader, such as your pastor or a spiritual director.
As you read through the following list of spiritual gifts, do any resonate with you?
• Administration
• Being an apostles
• Discernment
• Evangelism
• Exhortation
• Faith
• Giving
• Healing
• Helps
• Hospitality
• Knowledge
• Leadership
• Mercy
• Prophecy
• Serving
• Speaking in tongues
• Teaching
• Wisdom
One word of caution is needed here: keeping your eyes on Jesus rather than desiring specific spiritual gifts is always essential. It’s possible to turn this desire into an idol, which distracts us from the Lord. Idolatry is strictly forbidden in the Bible. In addition, discerning how your gift can be used can be difficult. For instance, if you’ve been given the gift of teaching, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re meant to preach. It could be you’re meant to be a Sunday school teacher or conduct Bible studies.
This is why speaking with your pastor, church leaders, or a spiritual director about discovering your spiritual gift(s) is crucial. These individuals can help you determine how your gifts are best used to serve God.
Why Be Thankful for Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are a reflection of God’s grace and they are His gift to each of us. They remind us that God sees each believer as valuable and worthy to participate in His work. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all…” This statement invites us to embrace and use our spiritual gifts as God wants us to. He has given these gifts out of His vast love for us (as individuals) and for supporting the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts also bring joy and fulfillment. We find our purpose in doing God’s work. When we operate within our spiritual gift—no matter what the gift is—we can experience a deep sense of alignment with God’s will.
They also build the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:15-16 says, “...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” In other words, each believer’s gift is crucial in strengthening the Church, for which we should be deeply grateful.
Cultivating Gratitude for Spiritual Gifts
If you’re unsure about your spiritual gifts, ask God for wisdom and guidance. Again, taking a spiritual gift assessment can be helpful. That way, you can identify how God has uniquely equipped you for His service.
Once you’ve discerned your spiritual gifts, one of the best ways to show gratitude for them is to use them for God. No matter what your spiritual gift is, use it to serve others and bring glory to God.
Finally, thank God for the gifts He’s given you. Remember, God doesn’t equip you only to leave you alone on this journey. Expressing gratitude for the spiritual gifts you’ve received fosters closeness with our Lord, brings unity with others, and encourages them to walk with Christ.
Concluding Thoughts
As we reflect on the amazing spiritual gifts God has given, our hearts automatically start to overflow with gratitude. These gifts are not only a demonstration of His grace and love but they are also a call to action. They remind us that we are part of something greater than ourselves—we become a part of God’s redemptive plan for the world.
When we use our spiritual gifts for God’s glory, they strengthen His Church, they bring hope and encouragement to us and to those around us. Whether it’s through teaching, serving, or leading, your gifts matter greatly. They are part of God’s design for your life and a reflection of His goodness.
This Thanksgiving season, take a moment to thank God for the spiritual gifts He’s given you. Expressing gratitude builds deeper connections with God and inspires others to embrace and use their own gifts.
This week, take time to reflect on your spiritual gifts and ask God how you can use them to serve others.
Here are a couple of reflection questions for you:
1. What spiritual gifts has God given you, and how have you seen them at work in your life?
2. Who in your life has used their spiritual gifts to bless you, and how can you show your gratitude to them?
Learn more about the spiritual gifts God has uniquely given to empower and equip His followers with our beautifully designed Gifts of the Holy Spirit Reference! You receive a downloadable PDF file that can be printed or used digitally on your tablet or iPad.
God bless,
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