How Do We Experience the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Today’s lesson leads us to explore approximately 20 supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, some of which God has given specifically to you!

Spiritual gifts are not natural talents, skills, or abilities. They are truly supernatural, spiritual gifts chosen by God Himself to imbue your life with supernatural empowerment to serve Him.

What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in the Bible?

Bible scholars generally agree that there are approximately 20 spiritual gifts listed in the Bible:

• Administration
• Exhortation
• Interpretation
• Pastoring
• Apostleship
• Faith
• Knowledge
• Prophecy
• Discernment
• Giving
• Leadership
• Teaching
• Encouragement
• Healing
• Mercy
• Tongues
• Evangelism
• Helping/Serving
• Miracles
• Wisdom

I believe that each of us has at least one of these gifts, and my personal opinion is that most of us have two or three spiritual gifts. If you are a follower of Jesus, regardless of your vocation in life, you have spiritual gifts! They are not just reserved for church workers or missionaries; they are for everyone, and they can be put to use every day of your life—not just on Sundays!

Who Gives Us Spiritual Gifts?

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” -Ephesians 4:11-13

This passage makes it clear that it is Jesus who gives spiritual gifts to His followers so that we will in turn use these gifts to build up the faith of other believers in the body of Christ.

Why Does God Give Us Spiritual Gifts?

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” -1 Corinthians 12:7

Paul points out that spiritual gifts are not given to us for our benefit but, rather, for the benefit of others so that they may be built up and blessed in their faith. As my friend, Carol Davis, explains, “The gifts were placed in you, but they were never meant for you!” They are meant for the edification and encouragement of your fellow believers!

How Do We Experience the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives?

First of all, discover them! Pray and ask God to reveal to you what spiritual gifts He has given you. Then be intentional in exercising them, like you would a muscle. Practice makes perfect! The Apostle Paul encouraged his spiritual son, Timothy, to fan his spiritual gift into flame:

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” -2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV

What are your spiritual gifts? Are you actively looking for ways to employ your spiritual gifts to serve God and to serve others? Who gets the credit when you faithfully exercise your spiritual gifts and others are blessed—you or the Lord?

Pray with me:

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving me supernatural spiritual gifts with which to serve You and serve others. Please help me discover and develop the spiritual gifts you have given me and use them well every day to serve others and to give God all the glory. Amen.

If you are curious and want to know which spiritual gifts you have been given, you can take a free spiritual gifts inventory online.