DISCOVER YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS

God Is Calling Me to Use My Spiritual Gifts 

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.”  1 Corinthians 12:4 NLT

Why Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Matters
  1. Your sense of calling will grow exponentially when you learn what you are uniquely gifted and spiritually equipped to do.
  2. You’ll find genuine delight in serving others when you’re doing what you were created to do, rather than doing things that don’t come easily to you and provide no sense of joy or satisfaction.
  3. You’ll be amazed and humbled as you watch the Holy Spirit at work, not only in your own life, but also in the lives of other believers, as together you put your spiritual gifts to good use for God’s kingdom.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
1 Peter 4:10 NLT

Biblical Passages Highlighting Spiritual Gifts

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:6-8 NLT

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.…”
1 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership...” 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 NLT

“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 NLT

Take a Spiritual Gifts Test

Sixteen Spiritual Gifts in Scripture

Administration

Acts 6:1-4, Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Also called “Helps” or “Serving,” this spiritual gift enables you to labor contentedly behind the scenes so God’s plans can be fulfilled. It’s a special ability to serve the church in a supporting role and invest your talents in building up the ministry of others, making them more effective and productive. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Administration can…
  • Organize and manage information, people, events, and resources
  • Notice tangible and practical things that need to be done and enjoy doing them
  • Handle details carefully and thoroughly
  • Provide support and free-up others to use their ministry gifts
  • Keep things organized and flowing smoothly
  • Sense God’s purpose and find pleasure in meeting everyday responsibilities
Apostleship

1 Corinthians 12:28, Galatians 2:7-8, Ephesians 4:11-13

This spiritual gift empowers you to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training. Eager to spread the Good News of God’s love, you not only lay the foundation but also prepare others to continue the work after you. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Apostleship can…
  • Go wherever God leads, whether across the street or across the ocean
  • Identify the need for a new church or ministry in a community
  • Be prepared to face initial opposition or distrust
  • Adapt methods of growth to fit each unique environment
  • Enlist the help of others to bring the vision to fruition
  • Train and equip local believers, then willingly move on
Discernment

1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 John 4:1-3

This spiritual gift allows you to recognize when something is of God and when it is not. You are able to distinguish between good and evil, truth and error, pure motives and impure motives. You instinctively recognize deception and sense the presence of evil. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Discernment can…
  • Weigh, with sensitivity and wisdom, the validity of various doctrines and beliefs
  • Trust the Spirit to reveal if a person or message is inconsistent with Scripture
  • Recognize and expose false teachings and deceptive spirits
  • Seek to edify and clarify, rather than to merely disagree or discourage
  • Speak the truth with courage and conviction as the Spirit leads
Evangelism

Acts 8:34-35, Acts 20:20-21, Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11-13

This spiritual gift compels you to spread the Good News, so others have an opportunity to respond in faith. You willingly seek out those who do not know the Lord, and share the story of Christ’s life, death, burial, resurrection, and certain return, and their need to repent of their sins and believe in Him. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Evangelism can…
  • Speak comfortably about their faith, anywhere and to anyone
  • Put nonbelievers at ease by befriending them, rather than seeing them as “other”
  • Gently but firmly help individuals discover their deep need for Christ
  • Handle the challenges and questions that inevitably arise
  • Connect with people of varying spiritual backgrounds and meet them right where they are
  • Withstand rejection, knowing they are not called to convert people—a work of the Spirit alone—but simply to convey the message 
Encouragement

Acts 11:22-23, Romans 12:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25

Also called “Exhortation,” this spiritual gift plays an important role in the body of Christ. Your encouragement, whether spoken or written, strengthens and motivates others to remain faithful, even in the midst of struggles, and urges them to take action. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Encouragement can…
  • Sense another person’s emotional state and sincerely sympathize with them
  • Challenge or confront others to trust and hope in the promises of God
  • Exhort others selflessly and with affection, rather than with judgment or contempt
  • See a person’s positive traits, even if they can’t see them
  • Easily find the right words to say in a difficult situation
  • Come beside those who are weak in spirit to strengthen them
Faith

Acts 11:24, Romans 4:20-21, 1 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:1-2

This spiritual gift is a verb—something you do—rather than a noun—something you think or feel. Your extraordinary measure of faith enables you to trust God completely, recognize what He wants done, and act when others fall back in doubt. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Faith can…
  • Follow God’s lead with confidence
  • Believe the promises of God and inspire others to do the same
  • Trust in God’s will as revealed in His Word
  • Pray fervently, knowing an answer will come
  • Assure others God is both present and active in their lives
  • Carry out tasks that seem nearly impossible to others
Giving

Mark 12:41-44, Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 8:7, 2 Corinthians 9:7

This spiritual gift manifests in your ability to give away material wealth freely and joyfully, sacrificially sharing your resources—your time, talents, and treasure—without thought of return. A cheerful giver is not always affluent, but always generous. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Giving can…
  • Manage their finances in order to give as much of their resources as possible
  • Meet tangible needs that enhance spiritual growth
  • Provide resources, generously and cheerfully, trusting God for His provision
  • Live an unpretentious and frugal lifestyle, preferring to give to God’s work
  • Make donations quietly and humbly, not wanting to draw attention to themselves
  • Approach others about making contributions with ease
Healing

Acts 3:6-8, Acts 9:34, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:28

This spiritual gift enables you to bring wholeness—physical, emotional, and/or spiritual—to others, acting as an intercessor through faith and prayer. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Healing can…
  • Skillfully listen, as they seek God’s guidance regarding the needs of the sick
  • Focus on the restoration of a person’s whole self—mind, body, and soul
  • Render aid to those in distress, trusting God will restore the person as He sees fit
  • Take every opportunity to point to the power of Christ
  • Possess a calming presence about them, with deep empathy for others
  • Heal rifts and divisions within the body of Christ, serving as a peacemaker

Knowledge

1 Corinthians 12:8, Colossians 2:2-3

This spiritual gift gives you the ability to understand spiritual truths and insights that are not easily perceived through natural means. You have an intuitive grasp of God’s will and purpose, and boldly use that knowledge to help others. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Knowledge can…
  • Spend hours studying the Bible, digging deep for the treasures it contains
  • Look for all the subtle nuances and meanings that lie beneath the surface
  • Research new insights or revelations with unbridled enthusiasm
  • Organize what they’ve learned, so they can easily access it
  • Share their discoveries with others, as the Spirit leads
Leadership

Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:28

This spiritual gift empowers you to influence others, motivating and directing them to perform to the best of their abilities. By God’s gifting, you are both a servant-leader and a visionary, who inspires others to work together to make that vision a reality. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Leadership can…
  • Bring order to chaos
  • Present the “big picture” for others to see clearly
  • Take responsibility, establish goals, and make course corrections as needed
  • Make difficult decisions and act on them
  • Avoid getting bogged down in the details, entrusting them to others
  • Build effective teams of talented people
  • Hold themselves to a high moral standard and lead by example
Mercy

Luke 6:36, Romans 12:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

This spiritual gift allows you to see and feel the suffering of others, and to minister to them with love and understanding, putting compassion into action. You have a special ability to gain people’s trust, and are grateful when you find ways to comfort them. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Mercy can…
  • Reach out to someone who feels hurt or rejected and ease their pain
  • Show those who feel unloved how much God loves them
  • Address the needs of the lonely and forgotten
  • Express love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
  • Serve in difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully
  • Concern themselves with social issues that oppress people
Miracles

Acts 9:32-34, 19:11-12, Romans 15:18-19, 1 Corinthians 12:10

This spiritual gift is not something that can be conjured up or controlled by an individual. Rather, it is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit that is used for the glory of God and the benefit of others, exercised through prayer, faith, and divine direction. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Miracles can…
  • Sense God’s presence in a genuine and tangible way
  • Identify the miraculous in their surroundings
  • Point to God’s mighty works and explain them to the body of Christ
  • Demonstrate the power of prayer at work in the church
  • Help believers see the hand of God when others see only luck or coincidence
Pastor/Shepherd

Matthew 9:35-36, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2

This spiritual gift is the grace-filled ability to guide, protect, and care for other believers, nurturing their spiritual growth over an extended period of time. You genuinely care for your flock and stay close beside them through good times and bad. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of being a Pastor/Shepherd can…
  • Invest in long-term relationships, establishing trust and confidence
  • Take the time needed to care for the whole person
  • Accurately assess where a person might be spiritually
  • Find places where each person can serve and grow in their faith
  • Care for others willingly and eagerly, not for money or personal gain
  • Model compassion and make sacrifices for his or her flock
  • Bear the responsibility of leading those who follow their teaching
Prophecy

Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-52, 26:24-29, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:5

This spiritual gift enables you to communicate God's truth and heart in a way that calls people into a right relationship with Him. Your words may bring edification and encouragement or they may challenge people to alter their current course of action—not to condemn, but to bring about meaningful, life-saving changes. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Prophecy can…
  • Proclaim the will of God with bold, persuasive speech
  • Make decisions and act quickly
  • Serve as a bellwether of right and wrong
  • Understand the Word of God and apply it with extraordinary depth of understanding for the benefit of the body
  • Provide clarity to situations and show how they relate to God’s will
  • Urge the body of Christ to move in the direction God has set forth
  • End with a message of hope and restoration if the message is heeded
Teaching

Acts 18:24-28, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-13, James 3:1

This spiritual gift is distinct from prophecy, knowledge, or wisdom. It focuses instead on the ability to study and learn from the Scriptures in order to share deep truths with other believers, so they can apply what they’ve learned and live in greater obedience to God’s Word. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Teaching can…
  • Prepare through extended times of study and reflection
  • Give attention to detail and accuracy
  • Communicate biblical passages in a way that inspires greater obedience
  • Find relevant, practical application in every passage
  • Adapt their presentation to meet the needs of their listeners
  • Challenge believers simply and practically with the truths of scripture
  • Focus on changing lives by helping others better understand God’s Word
Wisdom

Acts 6:3,10, 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 12:8, James 3:13, 3:17

This spiritual gift enables you to apply biblical and spiritual knowledge to complex, contradictory, or other difficult situations. Your ability to understand and live according to God's will allows you to serve as a spiritual compass for the body of Christ. 

Someone with the spiritual gift of Wisdom can…
  • Share their divine wisdom with others through teaching and admonition
  • Hear the Spirit provide direction for God’s best in a given situation
  • Focus on the unseen consequences in determining the next steps to take
  • Offer clarity and direction when people are struggling
  • Provide divinely given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion
  • Apply spiritual truth in specific and practical ways
  • Sort through opinions, facts, and thoughts to determine the best solution

“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:11­ NLT