Spiritual gifts are not a mystery God left us to guess about. He gave clear instructions in His Word so that every believer can understand, exercise, and glorify Him through their gifts. Below are some truths every Christian should know.
1. Don’t Be Ignorant of Spiritual Gifts
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” – 1 Corinthians 12:1
A Christian should learn what gifts are, why they are given, and how God wants them used.
2. Every Christian Has at Least One Gift
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
No believer is left out. If you are saved, God has equipped you with something to use for His glory.
3. Gifts Are Given by the Holy Spirit, Not Earned
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” – 1 Corinthians 12:11
You don’t choose your gift; the Spirit chooses and gives according to His will.
4. Gifts Are Different, but They All Come From the Same Lord
“And there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4–6
Christians shouldn’t compare gifts or compete. Every gift comes from God and works together.
5. Gifts Are for the Profit of Others, Not Ourselves
“…the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” – 1 Corinthians 12:7
Gifts aren’t about showing off. They are tools to serve others and build up the church.
6. We Are Members of One Body
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12
Each gift is like a body part. Different functions, but all vital to the local church.
7. No Gift Should Be Looked Down On
“And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” – 1 Corinthians 12:21
Even what seems small is important in God’s work.
8. Gifts Must Be Used in Love
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1
Without love, gifts are empty noise. Love is the engine in your gift that provides fruit.
9. Desire the Best Gifts
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” – 1 Corinthians 12:31
Christians can pray for God to use them in greater ways, but must always be used in love.
10. Gifts Are Meant to Build Up the Church
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:12
The goal isn’t self-fulfillment, but strengthening the body of Christ.
11. Use Your Gift Faithfully and Humbly
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering…” – Romans 12:6–7
Each believer should use their gift with faith, humility, and diligence.
12. Gifts Differ, But All Are Needed
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” – Romans 12:4–5
Diversity of gifts is God’s design for unity and balance in His church.
13. Do Not Neglect Your Gift
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee…” – 1 Timothy 4:14
A gift left unused grows weak. Christians must stir up and exercise their gifts.
14. Stir Up Your Gift
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” – 2 Timothy 1:6
Gifts need to be actively exercised and rekindled, not allowed to die out. We must use our gifts with passion!
15. Gifts Must Point Back to God’s Glory
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God… that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 4:10–11
The ultimate aim of every gift is to glorify God, not ourselves.
The List of Spiritual Gifts in the Bible
Here are the gifts Scripture names, along with their verses:
• Prophecy – Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Ministry (serving) – Romans 12:7
• Teaching – Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11
• Exhortation (encouragement) – Romans 12:8
• Giving – Romans 12:8
• Ruling (leadership/administration) – Romans 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Mercy – Romans 12:8
• Word of Wisdom – 1 Corinthians 12:8
• Word of Knowledge – 1 Corinthians 12:8
• Faith – 1 Corinthians 12:9
• Healing – 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28
• Discerning of Spirits – 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Multiple Languages – 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Interpretation of Languages – 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Helps – 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Governments (administration) – 1 Corinthians 12:28
The Bible makes it clear that spiritual gifts are not about us, but about God’s glory and the good of His church. Every believer has one, and every believer is responsible to use it.
