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Every Christian has at least one of the Spiritual Gifts, many Christians have several and a very few have most, if not all, of these Gifts of the Spirit. How can you determine which gift you have been given is a common question, we will try to answer that here. Or at least help you start the process of discovering your gifts.
There are several ways. Pray for guidance about your spiritual gift(s) is certainly a first step. Learning what the gifts are and how they will manifest themselves in your daily life. You can ask the people around you what they think your gifts are. They are found in Romans 12:4-13 Eph 4:7 1Cor 12:4-12 and 1 Peter 4:7-11.
Romans 12:4-13; For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of our faith; or ministry, [let us give ourselves] to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching; or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, [let him do it] with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
Ephesians 4:7; But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
First Corinthians 12:4-12; Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
First Peter 4:7-11; But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer; above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: using hospitality one to another without murmuring: according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; if any man speaketh, [speaking] as it were oracles of God; is any man ministereth, [ministering] as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
When your operating within your Spiritual Gifting you can get the Lord's work done quickly, nobody will be able to keep up with you, unless they have the same gifting. You will be aware of God's power working in and thru you to accomplish the task at hand, the tasks you are gifted to perform for the Kingdom.
Evangelism
A capacity to present the gospel message with exceptional clarity and an overwhelming burden for those who don't know Christ. Do you find yourself in situations where the topics of Christ and salvation come up? Do you gravitate toward relationships with non-Christians? When others hear you explain the gospel, do they respond by trusting Christ?
Teaching
An ability to explain clearly and apply effectively the truth of the Word of God. Do you love the Body of Christ and desire that others know more about Scripture and how to apply it? Do you love studying the Word of God? Do you have a passion for sharing the insights and principles you have learned from the Word?
Ministering
One who is equipped to shepherd and feed the flock of God with the result of their growth and maturity. Do you deeply love the people of God? Do you feel a yearning to model the principles of Scripture and mentor others so that they can follow Christ also? Do you feel God's calling to shepherd His people?
Word of Knowledge
An ability to receive truth from God without natural means. To know without knowing how you know. Do you find yourself "knowing" something you did not learn, and unable to explain how you know it? If you feel that God has given you a message to give to another Christian, is it confirmed by that person's response as truly coming from God?
Word of Wisdom
An ability to have insight concerning God's perspective and relay this insight succinctly to others. "Deep insight with handles." Do you experience flashes of insight on spiritual things, unusual in their clarity? Are you able to express this wisdom in ways that minister to people? Do you recognize wisdom in others when you hear it? Do people consider you unusually wise, and trust your judgment?
Faith
An ability to believe God for the impossible. When diverging roads appear before you, are you able to see God's path based on His word, in a way that others miss? Do you depend on God's resources and guidance to an unusual degree? Are you able to firmly claim God's presence in the midst of chaos? When God answers your prayers, is your response one of calm satisfaction rather than wonderment?
Exhortation (Encouragement)
Able to come alongside and help others by comforting, encouraging, challenging, and rebuking. Are you especially sensitive to people? When you encourage someone, do they respond with grateful appreciation? Is the timing of your encouraging usually "perfect"? When you challenge or rebuke another believer, is it well received?
Showing Mercy
An ability to minister compassionately and cheerfully to those who are difficult to minister to. Do you have the ability to sense when a person is in need, even before they tell you? Are you drawn to people with emotional or physical pain, and to those society considers "unlovely"? Do you have an intuitive sense of when to be quiet and when to speak, or what to say and what not to say? Do people seek you out when they're hurting? Do they enjoy having you around?
Leadership
An ability to organize and lead projects while handling people tactfully and providing the vision to keep them at the task. Do you enjoy taking a disorganized situation and straightening it out? Are you able to motivate others to complete the project? Do people respond when you step in to give leadership? Do you enjoy planning and completing projects? Do you enjoy sorting out details, or do they frustrate you?
Service
An ability to serve faithfully and joyfully behind the scenes, in practical ways, in long-term commitments to service. Do you willingly volunteer to help with details? Do you prefer to work behind the scenes? Do you gain a sense of satisfaction when others succeed as a result of your behind-the-scenes work? Is faithfulness over the long term important to you?
Spiritual Discernment
An ability to distinguish between the spirit of truth and spirit of error, between holiness and evil. Can instantly sniff out when someone's a phony or lying. Do you have an internal alarm that goes off when you encounter something phony or evil? Even when you're the only one who senses something wrong, is your "intuition" eventually validated? Do you (and others) consider yourself a good judge of character?
Giving
An ability to give of one's material goods to the work of the Lord consistently, generously, sacrificially, with wisdom and cheerfulness. Are you enthusiastic when presented with an opportunity to give money to meet a need? Are you constantly looking for ways to give? Do you enjoy giving privately or anonymously? Do you REALLY think of money as God's, not yours?
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