I know my spiritual gifts and function in them
God usually calls a person to function in line with the spiritual gifts that he has given to them. While most people function in one or two of the gifts primarily, all the gifts have been given to God’s people to use as needed, when needed. It is vitally critical that missionaries know how to function in the various gifts and how to do ministry supernaturally.
What are the different spiritual gifts?
There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. (1 Cor. 12:4-5)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Pet. 4:10)
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4-6a)
Although opinions differ on the actual number of spiritual gifts, God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts. You will find twenty different Greek words used for the gifts listed in the key passages on spiritual gifting. Herein you will find definitions for those possibilities. You will also find an additional listing of five possible gifts not found in the key spiritual gifting passages. In the scripture references listed by those gifts the context of the verses includes the same original language for spiritual gifts used in the key passages. This spiritual gifts list is limited to the possibilities listed in the key gifts passages and those that are suggested by context.
List of Spiritual Gift Possibilities in Key Bible Passages
Romans 12
1 Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4
Misc. Passages
Definitions of Spiritual Gifts Specifically Listed in the Bible:
ADMINISTRATION: 1 Cor. 12:28 - to steer the body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others (Greek Word: kubernesis - to steer, guide, to be a helmsmen).
APOSTLE: Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28 - to be sent forth to new frontiers with the gospel, providing leadership over church bodies and maintaining authority over spiritual matters pertaining to the church (Greek Word: apostolos - 'apo'=from 'stello'=send; one sent forth)
CELIBACY: 1 Cor. 7:7,8 - to voluntarily remain single without regret and with the ability to maintain controlled sexual impulses so as to serve the Lord without distraction
DISCERNMENT: 1 Cor. 12:10 - to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power
EVANGELISM: Eph. 4:11 - to be a messenger of the good news of the Gospel (Greek Word: euaggelistes - preacher of gospel; eu=well, angelos=message - messenger of good)
EXHORTATION: Rom. 12:8 - to come along side of someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be (Greek Word: paraklesis - calling to one's side)
FAITH: 1 Cor. 12:8-10 - to be firmly persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction
GIVING: Rom. 12:8 - to share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return
HEALINGS: 1 Cor. 12:9,28,30 - to be used as a means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually
HELPS: 1 Cor. 12:28 - to render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry
HOSPITALITY: 1 Pet. 4:9,10 - to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one's home or church as a means of serving those in need of food or lodging (Greek Word: philoxenos - love of strangers; 'philos'=love; 'xenos'=stranger)
KNOWLEDGE: 1 Cor. 12:8 - to seek to learn as much about the Bible as possible through the gathering of much information and the analyzing of that data
LEADERSHIP: Rom. 12:8 - to stand before the people in such a way as to attend to the direction of the body with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of these goals
MARTYRDOM: 1 Cor. 13:3 - to give over one's life to suffer or to be put to death for the cause of Christ.
MERCY: Rom. 12:8 - to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but moreso caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress
MIRACLES: 1 Cor. 12:10,28 - to be enabled by God to perform mighty deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin and means
MISSIONARY: Eph. 3:6-8 - to be able to lead others to Christ and plant churches in another culture
PASTOR: Eph. 4:11 - to be responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, guiding, and feeding a group of believers entrusted to one's care
PROPHECY: Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Eph. 4:11 - to speak forth the message of God to His people (Greek Word: prophetes - the forth-telling of the will of God; 'pro'=forth; 'phemi'=to speak)
SERVICE: Rom. 12:7 - to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done (Greek Word: diakonia - deacon, attendant 'diako'=to run errands)
TEACHING: Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 - to instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth
TONGUES: 1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28 - to speak in a language not previously learned so unbelievers can hear God's message in their own language or the body be edified
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES: 1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27, 28 - to translate the message of someone who has spoken in tongues
VOLUNTARY POVERTY: 1 Cor. 13:3 - to purposely live an impoverished lifestyle to serve and aid others with your material resources
WISDOM: 1 Cor. 12:8 - to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations.
This is such a big topic that it will not be covered here. For further study on it, please connect to a document here: (Button)
To take a “test” to see what your spiritual gift orientation is, go to this (button—Spiritual Gift Inventory pdf):