Identifying your spiritual gifts, however, can help you in a number of ways.
In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul tells Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" which was in him. Initially a spark may go unnoticed. If it makes contact with fuel and oxygen it can be stirred up into a major fire. Similarly, a spiritual gift may be that small spark inside of us that needs to be developed and nurtured to reach its full potential. If a fire is neglected it will die out. Likewise, gifts need to be used if we are to evidence them. The best way to develop gifts, to fan them into flame, is to use them.
The problem is not with the spiritual gift, but us. If we are not walking in the Spirit, it will be too easy for us to let ourselves fall into pride if we have certain gifts. Hence we have a discourse on spiritual gifts and body life in Romans 12 begin in verse 3 with "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought." Then in verse 8 we find some qualifying factors of how some of the gifts should be used, implying that it is possible to use the gifts otherwise.
God has given us certain gifts as an indicator of how He wants us to serve ... the part He has given us to do. If we never identify our spiritual gifts, we might have a "hit or miss" approach to ministry. Spiritual gifts are a key component of your ministry profile.
If you are able to define and identify characteristics of the various spiritual gifts, you will not only be able to discover the gifts you have been given but also help confirm other people's gifting. Having the confirmation of fellow believers encourages them to see how God is working in their lives and pursue their best fit in ministry.
Discovering your spiritual gifts doesn't take a lot of detective work.
You just need to know what to look for.
One of the best ways of discerning your spiritual gift(s) is to get involved in a variety of
ministry experiences.
As you explore the different ministry areas, you will soon discover if you are gifted for these ministries.
Envelop the whole process in prayer. The Lord will lead you to an identification of your gift(s) if you allow Him to guide and direct you in all your endeavors.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5,6)
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)
While labeling your gifts is helpful, using your gifts is more important. Do what you know to do even if you can't put a name to it. The benefit of being able to specifically identify your gifts is that it can make you more effective as you learn how to better develop that gift and relate to and understand others better.
Assessment tools can be helpful in the process of discovering your spiritual gifts. Click below for the perspective you need when taking or administering a spiritual gifts assessment:
Ministry Resources To Help You Identify Your Gifts:
Use the definitions in the gifts list.
