Top Bible Questions: How can I know my spiritual gift?

When it comes to discovering our spiritual gifts, it is always wise to start with knowing what spiritual gifts are in general before we ask ourselves about our own individual gifts. Spiritual gifts are abilities given by God through the Holy Spirit with a very specific purpose. The purpose of gifts are to build up the church so that everyone benefits from them spiritually (1 Corinthians 12:7,11). These talents and abilities are given by the Spirit and they are proof of our service in the kingdom. So now that we know about spiritual gifts and their purpose, how do we discover our own? How do we know which ones God has given to us personally? 

Although spiritual gifts tests are popular and they may be accurate sometimes, we don’t want to rely on a computer to tell us what our gifts are. These gifts are from God and so we need to start with Him. Below are listed 5 ways you can be closer to God and discover your strengths in the Spirit.  

1. The first part I would say is to recognize that you have at least one gift of the Spirit because you are a believer and child of God. 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” Notice Paul does not say some or the elite get a gift, but each believer receives a presence of the Spirit in the forms we call gifts. Every believer has a gift. 
2. It might be also helpful to read about the spiritual gifts that Scripture talks about. Although Paul never claims his lists are exhaustive, most gifts distributed are probably referenced in Scripture. Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 give a list of different gifts the Spirit gives to those in the church. 
3. Pray. Prayer might feel like one of the most indirect way to discover your gift, but it might be the most powerful. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 7:7-8 to ask, seek, and knock. If we ask God in prayer about our spiritual gifts and truly seek them out, Jesus promises an answer. It may not be the answer we expected, but an answer nonetheless. 
4. The final way we will discuss here to discover your gift is to be with other believers. In Hebrews 10:24-25 it says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By being with other believers, we are able to encourage one another, to love one another and do good to and by each other. In that process, you may discover your gift of service to God and the body simply by being around them and being encouraged by them.