In the Bible, the word “spiritual gift” refers to an endowment from God that is given to a person for their use and benefit. The word “gift” implies that this endowment is freely given and not earned through any kind of work. A spiritual gift could be something like the ability to heal others, or it could be something more subtle like helping people feel loved by God. The Apostle Paul mentions some examples of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10: “Through the Spirit, one is given the utterance of wisdom; through the Spirit, another the utterance of knowledge; through the Spirit, another faith; through the Spirit, another gift of healing.”
The Bible tells us that all Christians are called to serve God with their gifts and abilities (1 Peter 4:10), and that we should pray for wisdom so we can know how best to do so (James 1:5).
Spiritual Gift in the Bible
The Bible states that each and every Christian will receive a spiritual gift when they are saved. It’s our responsibility to discover what that gift is and then use it in the service of God. The following list is not meant to be exhaustive, nor is it meant to suggest that these are the only important gifts. Rather, this list simply provides examples of some of the more common spiritual gifts. If you don’t find your particular spiritual gift in this list, pray and ask God to reveal your unique spiritual gift(s) to you—He will!
Gift of Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28)
The gift of administration is the ability to organize and manage groups or homes. This gift is used in the church, home, and workplace.
The Greek word translated “administration” here is kubernesis. It means “the oversight of a household” (Strong’s Concordance). The Apostle Paul uses it in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as one of many examples of spiritual gifts that exist within each believer.
Gift of Apostleship (Ephesians 4:11)
- Apostleship–The gift of leadership. We see this illustrated in the first-century leaders of the church, who were known as apostles. Apostles are foundational to the church and are often called upon to be its foundation, like Paul and Peter, who laid the foundations for what is now known as Christianity (1 Corinthians 3:10).
- The word apostle means “sent one” or “one sent forth with an assignment.” It has been used throughout history as a title for those who have carried out special assignments from God or Jesus Christ Himself.
Gift of Craftsmanship (Exodus 31:1-6)
The spiritual gift of craftsmanship is described in Exodus 31:1-6. Craftsmanship was important because craftsmen manufactured the items needed for worship, including the ark of the covenant and its furnishings, as well as all sorts of other tools used in temple service. They also made everyday items such as tables and chairs to be used in everyday life.
Gift of Discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10)
- The gift of discernment is the ability to see things as they really are.
- It’s a supernatural ability to see things clearly, even when other people can’t.
Gift of Evangelism (Romans 10:14-15)
Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It’s a powerful tool to share the Gospel and God’s love to those who do not know Him or have never heard His message.
Many Christians believe that evangelism is a gift given to some, not all people. This idea was popularized by John Wesley, who referred to it as “saving grace” (a special favor from God). While there may be some truth in this statement, it does not take into account the fact that all believers have unique spiritual gifts and abilities—some more than others—and that these are intended for use in their service for the Lord (1 Peter 4:10-11).
Gift of Faith (Romans 12:6a)
The Bible teaches that God gives us faith as a gift. As members of the body of Christ, we have the opportunity to share this gift with others through our words and actions. The Bible says: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We are not saved by works or merit, but through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith enables us to trust God’s promises even when we don’t understand them fully.
Gift of Hospitality (Romans 12:13b)
Hospitality is the ability to make people feel at home, and it’s one of the most important characteristics that anyone can possess. The Bible tells us that hospitality is a spiritual gift from God (Romans 12:13). It’s an opportunity for you to show love to others, build community, and share the gospel with your guests.
Hospitality means welcoming strangers into your home—and even into your heart! In fact, Jesus himself taught us how to practice this virtue when he said “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
As a hostess or host, it might seem intimidating at first but once you start doing it regularly there will be no stopping! Plus who wouldn’t want more guests over at their house? It’s fun!
Gift of Intercession (Romans 8:26-27)
Intercession is the ability to pray for others, and it’s one of the most important gifts you can have. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul says that all believers were given this spiritual gift.
Intercession is a way to help others connect with God and what He has done in their lives. When you reach out to someone who is struggling or hurting, they receive encouragement and support from your prayers. You are also able to experience more fully what it means to be connected with God through intercessory prayer because when someone else feels closer to him as a result of your prayers, it means that he’s closer with you too!
Gift of Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8b; Romans 12:6b-7)
Knowledge, or gnosis in Greek, is the ability to think and reason. It involves both the intellect and understanding. It allows you to apply information and learn new things. The word “knowledge” (gnosis) comes from a root word meaning “to distinguish” or “to recognize.” Therefore, knowledge is the ability to recognize truth from error; it also means having enough understanding of something so that you can make good decisions based on it.
As Christians we should seek after spiritual knowledge because it will help us discern between right and wrong as we live our lives for God’s glory.
Gift of Leadership (Romans 12:8a)
The gift of leadership is a natural ability to organize and direct others. It’s being able to delegate responsibilities, motivate others, inspire them, teach them and manage the work that needs done. The leader is an encourager who builds teams rather than tears them apart. He or she encourages others by example and in words that build up instead of tear down.
The Bible says that “God has placed some as leaders over us” (Romans 12:8a). A Christian with this gift can be trusted to organize things in such a way that they get done effectively while meeting the needs of everyone involved—including those who don’t have gifts at all!
Gift of Mercy (Romans 12:8b)
Mercy is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and it is a virtue (Ephesians 4:2). Mercy, in its essence, is love. The root word for mercy, chērītēs, means “affectionate kindness” or “goodness.” Mercy also involves forgiveness and compassion—it’s more than just not being cruel; it’s an active expression of God’s grace toward others that extends beyond what they deserve or expect.
This spiritual gift can show itself in many ways: forgiving someone who has wronged you; showing kindness to your neighbor when they have nothing left to give; comforting someone who has lost everything… anything like these acts demonstrates mercy!
Gift of Miracles/Gifts Of Healings (1 Corinthians 12;9 & 28)
The gift of miracles/gifts of healings (1 Corinthians 12:9)
- The ability to heal the sick is a spiritual gift.
- The ability to heal the sick is not a spiritual gift.
This doesn’t mean that if you have this gift, you can’t also be gifted with another one as well. For example, God might give someone both the gifts of prophesy and miracles or healing because he wants them to use them both together for his glory!
Here are a dozen key ways we can discover our spiritual gifts.
To discover your spiritual gift, try praying for guidance. It’s one of the best ways to find out what God wants you to do with the skills and talents he has given you. You can also read the Bible and look for examples of people who used their gifts in different ways (for example, see Acts 8:26-40).
You can also listen to the Spirit of God when he speaks to your heart or mind. This is called “discernment” in Christian circles—it’s when we realize there’s something we should be doing as Christians because God has shown us how through his Spirit working within us.
It might help if you ask other Christians about their spiritual gifts too; they may be able to provide insight into which ones might fit best with yours!
Conclusion
So, as we’ve seen in this article, there are many ways to find out about your gifts. Whether you want to pray for guidance or look for clues in your life experiences, there’s a method that will work for you. If you’re still feeling unsure of what yours are, don’t worry! The important thing is to keep looking and trying new things until something clicks!