Well I am about to head out the door to head to church to teach the adults at my church on spiritual gifts.
So I thought I would leave you with this question: How does a person know what his/her spiritual gifts are?
I think it is a tricky and, in the words of Paul Roberts, possibly “dangerous question.” I will tell you why in posts to follow. I intend to write on the purpose of spiritual gifts as well as some biblical insight into how to best utilize spiritual gifts in the local church. Since Charismatic gifts are all anyone ever talks about these days, I will mention some thoughts on those too (but only briefly–people talk about the charismatic gifts way too much!).
But until then, I leave you with this question: How do you know what your spiritual gifts are?
I know I have some spiritual gifts, but in certain circumstances, God seems to give me what I need even if I didn’t “know” I had that gift. Surveys give me the same results I observe. The first thing was understanding the gifts and how they contribute to the church. Then I observed my experience and had others observe my strengths. For the rest I keep the list in mind going forward as I just do what I know God wants me to. Sometimes churches do a great job fascilitating the use of gifts; other times some gifts are valued and the rest are supressed.
I’m excited for your series on spiritual gifts. What do you say about discerning spirits, word of knowledge, word of wisdom? Those never get addressed.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
When my little brother was about six years old, he told our family in complete sincerity that his spiritual gift was catching lizards.
“Dangerous,” huh? What possibly could he have meant?….
Lisa, thanks for your thoughts, you have brought up a lot of things that I am going to address! Sounds like this is something you have given some thought to–thats good!
Paul, don’t worry I will explain what you meant, or at least do my best to!
Tyler, sounds like you need a lesson in the “charismatic gifts.”
don’t you think people make too big-a-deal of Spiritual gifts inventory surveys? you know . . . if that formula suggest you have it, then BOOM (ha! John Madden), you got it.
uh, not necessarily.
Yes I do Kevin, you are jumping the gun! Its ok though I thought the issue would come up. I plan to address that very issue.
Bring it on, man. Bring it on.
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Thanks for sharing the information on spiritual gifts. Keep it up the good work. Even I don’t know what are spiritual gifts.