Spiritual Gifts (from the book “Strength for Today”)(Protestant/Evangelical Caucus)

Grace to You.org ^ | 1997 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

God wants every Christian to understand spiritual gifts and use his or hers wisely.

A spiritual gift is a channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:11). The day we were born again into God’s family, His Spirit distributed to us a spiritual gift. Therefore, having a spiritual gift does not mean a believer is “spiritual.” What we really must ask is, “Is the channel clear?” Hypothetically, someone could have all the recorded spiritual gifts and not be using any of them. Or that believer could be greatly abusing some gifts. In either case, such a person would not be spiritual.

It is also incorrect to equate a natural ability with a spiritual gift. Someone might say, “My gift is baking pies”; another might say, “I’m good at playing the piano.” Those are wonderful and useful abilities, but they are natural abilities, not spiritual gifts.

Paul illustrates the difference between abilities and gifts. He could have used his knowledge of philosophy and literature to write and deliver great orations. However, this is what he said to the Corinthians: “I did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1-2). The Holy Spirit uses the abilities of people like Paul and speaks through them, but He expresses Himself in a supernatural way, which is not necessarily related to the person’s natural skills.

If we rely on our own ability to produce spiritual fruit, we hinder what the Spirit wants to do in us. Instead, ponder what Peter says about using your gift: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Suggestions for Prayer

Thank the Lord for the special spiritual gift He has given you. Ask that He would help you use it faithfully, to its full potential.

For Further Study

Read Romans 12:4-8 and list the spiritual gifts mentioned there. What does 1 Corinthians 12, especially verses 12-31, emphasize regarding the use of the various gifts within the church?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[good1]

How does one discover what their spiritual gift is?

[metmom]

I’m not sure.

I remember the days of the questionaires to try to figure that out.

Let me think on that one for a bit.

And it’s going to take a while for me to get back to you. I’ll be on the road today and unavailable for a good chunk of the day.

Maybe in the meantime, someone else can come up with a good answer.

[caww]

What kind of ministry do you enjoy the most and shows the most fruitfulness? .....That probably indicates where there are spiritual gifts operating in your life.

... If you enjoy teaching and find that people are edified through your teaching ministry, it is likely that the Holy Spirit has given you a gift of teaching...... If you find that the Lord puts people in your path who are ready to surrender their life to Christ, you probably have a spiritual gift of evangelism. .....If you enjoy inviting people to your home, either for a meal or to stay, you probably have a gift of hospitality.

There are “tests” available that might indicate your spiritual gifting.... However, some of them measure more what a person’s natural talents and preferences are, rather than truly identifying one’s spiritual gifts...... These inventories also focus on past experience and are not always a good indicator of what the Holy Spirit might lead us into in our future ministry.

A BETTER way of confirming a person’s spiritual gifting is through the local congregation and its leadership........

..... What do the leaders and the local body think that you do best that contributes to the welfare of the congregation?..... That is probably your spiritual gift.

A person does not need to announce or advertise his/her spiritual gift. The local congregation will recognize and validate genuine spiritual gifts as the gifted person’s ministry contributes to the building up of the local church body.

..... Of course, this requires the individual believer to step out in faith and obedience to God’s Word. The gifts of the Holy Spirit operate through obedient and faith-filled disciples.

Hope that helps.....the idea is to get involved.