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Insightful Types of Spiritual Gifts

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At times we need a little more depth or insight when it comes to truth. Suggesting that the following gifts provide spiritual insight is not meant in the mystical sense but rather providing that which is based upon or filtered through the Word of God. Click on the gifts to learn where these gifts are listed in Scripture and possible definitions. (Use the browser’s back button to return to this post.)

Spiritual Insight Types of Giftsdiscernment
knowledge
wisdom

While each of these gifts provides insight based on the Truth of God’s Word, the way they handle truth differs.

You’ll find the distinction between how these different gifts handle truth in the Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use. That resource also looks at other gifts listed in the Bible as well as suggesting gifting best suited for 16 broad ministry areas and 27 specific tasks.

These insightful types of spiritual gifts help to keep the Body of Christ on track and could help make the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Colossians a reality for any church. —

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God … (Col. 1:9-10)

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14 Replies to “Insightful Types of Spiritual Gifts”

    • Tom, within Christendom there are different definitions given to the spiritual gift of knowledge. As with any of the spiritual gifts, I look at the original Greek word to help me understand the gift. The Greek word used in 1 Corinthians 12:8 where this gift is listed is “gnosis” which is primarily seeking to know, inquiry, investigation which involves studying or researching. I hope it helps to know why knowledge was defined that way.

  1. If a person can encourage others and inspire them. And has an ability to walk with people trough their difficult times and comfort them, so they can become a person they need to be. What kind of gift is that?

    • Hello, Julia. It sound like you are describing someone with the spiritual gift of exhortation, possibly with some mercy in the mix. The gift of mercy often takes people beyond words of comfort to doing something that helps alleviate their situation. The gift of exhortation usually is coming along side of someone with words of comfort and/or encouragement. Someone with the gift of exhortation often has a strong desire to see people reach their potential in the Lord. If you click on the links in my reply they will take you to definitions of those gifts and links to other helps about those gifts.

  2. I have spent a long time trying to find out my spiritual gift and recently took a test which told me I had the gift of exhortation. After reading on this website, I am so encouraged because as I read about this gift, i related strongly with the signs and feel confident in the direction I need to go now to serve the church! Thank you for all the wonderful information here!!!

    • That is absolutely wonderful, Scottie. I rejoice in the Lord with you. May God use you to His glory. And, I praise Him for using the material on this site.

  3. I feel my heart is bent towards the lowly people, wanting to identity with them, hearing their problems and where possible defend or fight for them especially when they are being oppressed by those higher than them. What spiritual gift is this and how do I exercise it?

    • Hello, Sylvia. Identifying with “lowly people” or those who are “being oppressed”, as you wrote, can be found in someone with the gift of mercy. Someone with that gift usually finds oneself wanting to spend time with them and help alleviate their distress through practical deeds of compassion and kindness. If you wanted to hear their problems, as you wrote, and then speak words of encouragement, comfort, and/or counsel to them, that would be indicative of someone with the spiritual gift of exhortation. You, however, wrote of “hearing their problems and where possible defend or fight for them” which sounds more like possibly the spiritual gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy isn’t just about speaking forth the Word of God as in preaching but can also be speaking out against social concerns. If you read through some of the Old Testament prophets, you’ll find them doing that at times. — So, it’s possible a couple of gifts could fit but it is also possible some of what you wrote is gifting and some is more the passion of your heart than gifting. Whatever, God uses the whole of who we are to steer us in the way we should serve.

      Let me suggest you first become familiar with the gifts I mentioned. You’ll find some help on the pages listed below. As you do this, be praying that God would lay on your heart specifically how you might use the gift(s).

      You’ll find definitions here: Gifts List
      You’ll find possible uses here: Ministry Areas
      You’ll find some examples of these gifts in use here: Examples

      The above is more general. You will undoubtedly need to narrow it down some. Researching possible opportunities through your church or organizations in your area could be a starting point. Maybe God will want you to get involved in ministry outside your locale. Begin with what you are able to do and let God move you beyond. Keep praying about it and God will start opening doors.

  4. Hi i recently did a test and i told me that i have the gift of insight. What exactly is insight? Is it different from discerning?

    • Hello, Liselle . The Bible does not actually use the term insight for any of the spiritual gifts it specifically lists. Probably the test you took used an interpretive name. The gifts listed in this post are those that seem to most exhibit insight when you look at the definition of the original Greek word used in the Bible (discernment, knowledge, wisdom). In addition to these gifts, I’ve also heard people interpret what the Bible names as prophecy and teaching as the gift of insight but again, that’s purely interpretive. If you click on the links in this post of the three gifts listed after the first paragraph, it will give you a definition of those gifts and some links to other articles that could be helpful to better understanding these gifts.

  5. Hi, my name is Marsha. I’ve recently received a word into my life during an Evangelism Training seminar- that God is giving me names, words, insight and discernment. Can you please explain further on names and words, thank you,

    • Hello, Marsha. When we look at where the Bible talks about spiritual gifts, we find where it says, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:8). Possibly that’s what is being identified as “words” but I don’t know of anyplace in the Bible that refers to “names” in conjunction with spiritual gifts. Perhaps it is being interpreted that way for one of the gifts listed in Scripture but perhaps it is something the person perceives as a gift that is not listed as such in the Bible. For example, while the Bible does not identify prayer as a spiritual gift, some people say it is.