2 Step Process to Find Your Spiritual Gifts
A Biblical Alternative to Spiritual Gift Tests
Many Christians want to know what their spiritual gifts are, but they are often unsure how to discover them. The New Testament teaches that every believer receives gifts from the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10). These gifts are not given for personal recognition but for the strengthening and service of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–12).
Before we talk about the different kinds of gifts that exist, it is important to answer the practical question many believers are asking:
How do you determine your spiritual gifts?
So How Do You Determine Your Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are intended to be used within the body of Christ. God gives them sovereignly to support and strengthen the work of the church (1 Corinthians 12:18; 12:11).
Today there are hundreds of books, quizzes, and online guides that claim to help you discover your gifts. Many of these function much like personality tests, suggesting that you can determine your spiritual gifts by answering a series of questions on your computer.
This is not the biblical pattern.
Instead, Scripture points us to a much simpler and more practical process. For someone beginning to explore their gifts, two basic steps can help guide the process.
Say Yes to Every Opportunity to Serve
If you are a new believer—or someone who has been sitting on the sidelines of church life for a while—there is no way to discern your spiritual gifts apart from serving.
The best way to see how God has gifted you is to start by testing the waters. These are divinely given gifts, so even if something seems outside your natural abilities, God often works in surprising ways when we step out in faith (2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13).
It is also important to remember that God does not always distribute gifts all at once. As believers grow and encounter new opportunities, God often equips them in new ways to meet the needs before them (1 Peter 4:10).
Practically speaking, serve wherever you are able. Be intentional and remember that time spent serving the people of God is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58).
When I first became a Christian, I did everything I could. I helped with Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, went on mission trips, served at the food pantry, and helped in the church office. Any opportunity I could find, I would take.
Over the years in ministry, dozens of situations have arisen where I did not believe I had the gifting or strength to do what was needed. Yet time and time again I discovered that God often provides the gift in the moment of obedience.
Show Love to the Whole Body of Christ
The second step overlaps with the first, but it is essential.
1 Corinthians 12, the great chapter on spiritual gifts, is immediately followed by 1 Corinthians 13, the famous chapter on love. This is not accidental. Spiritual gifts exist so that believers can love and serve the body of Christ more effectively (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
Break out of your comfort zone and serve people whose struggles are different from yours. Step outside your normal circle of friends and care for people with different backgrounds and experiences.
Love the family with six rowdy kids who are struggling to get by.
Love the shut-in who can no longer leave their home .
Love the lonely divorced woman.
Love families raising children with disabilities.
Love the kind old ladies and the grumpy old men.
Love the shy, well-behaved child and the child who is constantly fighting for attention.
As you seek to love people in word and deed (1 John 3:18), you will begin to recognize where God has uniquely equipped you to meet needs.
If you find yourself struggling to love a particular person or group, pray and earnestly ask God to give you the love that only He can provide (Romans 5:5).
Extraordinary Gifts vs. Ordinary Gifts
Before concluding, it is helpful to understand an important distinction that many theologians have observed in Scripture.
Jonathan Edwards, the great American revivalist, in his sermons on 1 Corinthians 13, distinguished between two broad categories of spiritual gifts: extraordinary gifts and ordinary gifts.
The extraordinary gifts were those given for the purpose of revelation or confirming revelation, such as prophecy, tongues, miracles, and healings (1 Corinthians 12:8–10; Hebrews 2:3–4; 2 Corinthians 12:12). These gifts often receive the most attention because they appear dramatic or supernatural.
However, Edwards pointed out that these are actually the lesser gifts, because they are not necessarily connected with salvation. Scripture records several instances of unbelievers exercising extraordinary gifts. Balaam prophesied when the Spirit of God came upon him (Numbers 24:2), King Saul prophesied among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:10–11), and Caiaphas unknowingly prophesied about Christ’s death (John 11:51–52). Jesus even warned that some would prophesy and perform miracles in His name yet still not truly belong to Him (Matthew 7:22–23).
By contrast, the ordinary gifts of the Spirit—such as teaching, service, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, and helps—are given for the regular building up of the church (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Peter 4:10–11). These are the gifts most believers will experience and exercise in the ordinary life of the church.
Conclusion
To keep it simple, the best way to discover your spiritual gifts is to step forward and begin serving.
You cannot receive something if you never reach out and take it. God has placed you in the church surrounded by opportunities to love and serve others. As you do, you will gradually discover the gifts He has given you—and those gifts will grow as you use them for the building up of His people (Ephesians 4:16).
Years ago Willowcreek came out with a book titled “Reveal.” What they discovered was that most of their church attenders were discontent. The most “happy” and fulfilled group in the church were the ones actively serving. I remember thinking “well, duh!” 😆
Excellent explanation and insight. Another thing worth mentioning is that, as you serve, others in the church will let you know where they see your giftedness. — And, by the same token, we should keep an eye out to affirm the giftedness in others.