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Spiritual Gifts - Foundations for Basic Understanding
Defining Spiritual Gifts:
Any definition of the term spiritual gift, as well as any attempt to define the specific gifts, needs to line up with Scripture. Since the Bible does not actually define these terms, MinTools.com uses the following means to arrive at definitions:
- the whole counsel of the Word of God
God will never contradict Himself. His precepts, His plan through the ages, and the precedence seen in scriptural examples all need to be taken into consideration. Definitions must concur with the whole of who God is and not just the parts we like.- principles that grow out of key passages on Body life in the church and spiritual gifts
Key passages include Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4. Definitions must be consistent with God's Word and not just fit our experience.- words used in the original Greek language
Often an examination of the original language of the Bible adds to our understanding. Definitions must be congruent with God's original intent and not be based on our own understanding.
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What is a spiritual gift?
How might the individual gifts be defined?
Why Learn About Spiritual Gifting:
Pragmatically, needs are met through their use. Effective ministry therefore demands that we understand and use our spiritual gifts. An even greater reason is that it matters to God.
- God stresses the importance of spiritual gifts as evidenced by the amount of space given to this topic in the New Testament.
- God designed the church to grow as everybody does their part according to Ephesians 4:16.
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What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
How to Discover Your Spiritual Gifts:
Scripture does not refer to discovering your spiritual gifts.
God's Word simply refers to their use in the church. Consequently, perhaps a better terminology of this process may be identifying your spiritual gifts.
The best way to identify your gifts is to actively serve so your gifts have opportunity to be evidenced, confirmed, and developed.
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What should you look for to help in the identification process?
Benefits of Taking a Spiritual Gifts Test:
Of utmost importance is that you realize that spiritual gifts tests do not determine what gift(s) you have.
Their value lies in:
- Helping you confirm what your gifts are.
Actively serving will help you identify possible gifting as you gain a sense of the Spirit's empowerment in your life as reflected in spiritual fruitfulness. People observing you, or on the receiving end of your ministry, will begin to comment on how God has used you in certain ways. When this begins to happen, you are most ready to take a spiritual gifts test to confirm your perceptions and the observations of others.
If you have never actively served, a spiritual gifts inventory could very well be inconclusive as most tests assess your experience, perceptions, and the observations of other people. Giving or taking a test prematurely (i.e., before trying different avenues of service), could yield false results and thereby lead to frustration and disillusionment as you try serving in line with the results with little fulfillment and effectiveness.- Helping you put labels to what you have been doing which in turn gives you direction for how to become more effective in ministry through the development of those gifts.
In and of themselves, labels are not important. However, once you are able to give your gift(s) a name, you are able to take measures to develop those gifts. The Apostle Paul told Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God (2 Tim. 1:6).
- Pray over the results of the test. Ask God to strengthen you and give you wisdom in effectively using your gifts.
- Determine what ministry areas use your spiritual gifts and learn as much as you can.
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Order the Everybody Has a Part Spiritual Gifts Tests Resource.
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