Among Christians, there are a lot of differing beliefs about spiritual gifts. This article is not meant to be an exhaustive biblical study on spiritual gifts. Rather, the point of this article is to help you identify what gift God has called you to use as you seek to glorify him.
So here are 4 signs God is revealing your spiritual gift to you.
1. When the Lord Reveals Your Spiritual Gift, It Will Be Marked By Your Ability and Joy
Ability and joy are two requirements that must go hand in hand when it comes to your spiritual gift. If you are good at something but you don’t enjoy it, this will cause you to grow weary. If you enjoy something but you are not very good at it, this will be fruitless. But when the Holy Spirit has given you a special ability to serve him and it brings joy to your heart when you get to use this gift, that is a great sign you have identified your spiritual gifting from the Lord. As Romans 12:6-8 states:
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Notice that with the last few examples of a spiritual ability Paul also adds a positive emotion that should be present too, “the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
It’s not enough to just contribute, to lead, or to do acts of mercy. God wants us to enjoy using these gifts for his glory. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 explains, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2. When the Lord Reveals Your Spiritual Gift, It Will Be Confirmed By the Church
When I use the word “church” here I’m not talking about a governing body of elders, deacons, or paid staff members. I’m talking about other Christians in your local fellowship. One of the best practical ways to help identify a spiritual gift is to ask yourself, “What do other Christians complement me about? What do other Christians thank me for?”
When you are walking in your gift, it will be impossible for other people to not notice it. It’s a beautiful thing to watch someone preach who really has the gift to preach. It’s a comforting experience to be led by someone who truly has the gift of leadership. It’s reassuring to know that your money is being managed by someone with the gift of administration.
Just as you notice when someone is walking in their spiritual gifting, others will notice when you are using the spiritual gift God gave you. As 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 explains:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
God does not bless us with spiritual gifts so we can bless ourselves. Rather, our gifts are meant to be a blessing to others. When others are blessed by your spiritual gift, many of these people will thank you for it and appreciate it.
3. When the Lord Reveals Your Spiritual Gift, Your Opportunities to Use It Will Often Mirror Your Ability to Use It
Your awareness of your spiritual gift and your ability to use your spiritual gift is a process. Don’t expect to know all about your spiritual gift in the first few years of your spiritual journey. Even after decades God will continue to mature your ability to use the gifts he’s given you.
But one trend that often occurs with the maturing process is the more you grow the more opportunities God often gives you to use your gifts. Let’s go back to Romans 12:6-8. Notice how there is a distinction between the gifts and the act of using the gift. It states:
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
There are “gifts” but we must “use them.” You can have the gift of service, but you need to use that gift in your serving. You can have the gift of teaching, but you need to use that gift in your teaching. You can have the gift of exhortation, but you need to use that gift when you encourage others. The point is, there is a difference between having a gift and actively using your gift.
Sometimes people will just ask you to use your gift and others times you will need to actively volunteer your gift to be used. But along with giving you a spiritual gift, God will then give you opportunities to use those gifts.
4. When the Lord Reveals Your Spiritual Gift, It Will Be Marked By a Supernatural Energy to Use It Despite the Barriers
Why won’t God just make it clear what your gift is? Why won’t he just tell you what your calling is? Why won’t God just open obvious doors that you feel need to be opened so you can serve him in the ways your heart desires?
These are questions we all ask at some point, but the key is to press on despite the confusion. God always has a purpose for the trials. Those things that you feel are blocking you are actually there to bless you. God uses the adversity to prepare us for the future callings on our lives. Notice the flow found in 1 Peter 4:10-14. In verses 10-11 we are taught to use our spiritual gifts and then in verses 12-14 we are also warned about adversity:
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
When God reveals your spiritual gift, he will also give you “strength” to use it despite the “fiery trial” and “sufferings.” For through persevering by the strength God provides, you will bring glory to his name.