what are spiritual gifts and how you think you could apply them to your everyday life.?

Answer 1

Dear Matthew,

The Bible teaches that when a believer is saved- they are given at least one spiritual gift which they can use to serve others and this edifies (grows, encourages, and builds up the body of Christ)- read Ephesians 2 and 1 Corinthians 12.

Different people have different spiritual gifts that they are particularly good at: IE: i have the gift of teaching (and so i teach and preach at church), but i think that i can use the wisdom that God has given me and apply bible truths to my life every day and also encourage others (believers or non-believers) with principles from God's word.

Even if we aren't particularly gifted at certain things- we still learn how to do those things. IE: Someone might be really shy and not very gifted as an "evangelist" but that doesn't mean that he doesn't do the work of "evangelism." He may never be a "Billy Graham" or a Greg Laurie, but the one person that he shares and loves to Christ- may become the next Billy Graham.

Whether it's a big thing or a small thing- God gives us the gift to perform it and He empowers and helps us with His Holy Spirit.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 2

There are various opinions as to the number of spiritual gifts. There are also different ways of categorizing the gifts proposed.

Many items appearing as spiritual gifts are also required by the Bible of all Christians, such as faith, prayer, evangelism and so on. One explanation is that the spiritual gift of faith means faith despite the circumstances, or a particularly strong faith in God. The spiritual gift of prayer could mean a supernatural confidence in prayer, or a special ability to pray. All believers are encouraged to share Jesus with other people, but the gift of evangelism could mean a particular gift to reach others.

Note: Links are sometimes to a general context, not a specific context as a spiritual gift per se. For example, "faith" links not to the spiritual gift of faith per se, but to faith in a more general context.

[edit] Charismatic Gifts (1 Corinthians 12)

Also known as the "manifestation gifts" or "miraculous gifts". Some limit the term "spiritual gifts" to just the charismatic gifts. Cessationism claims that these gifts ceased to operate (through individuals) early in Christian history. Its counterpart continuationism claims that they still operate today. They are believed by some to be transmitted through the laying on of hands.

* word of wisdom / message of wisdom, 1Cor 12:8
* word of knowledge / message of knowledge, 1 Cor 12:8
* faith, 1 Cor 12:9
* gifts of healing, 1 Cor 12:9, 12:28
* miracles / miraculous powers, 1 Cor 12:10, 12:28
* prophecy / prophesying / prophets, 1 Cor 12:10, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:6, Eph 4:11
* discernment of spirits / distinguishing of spirits), 1 Cor 12:10
* speaking in tongues / varieties of tongues / speaking in different kinds of tongues, 1 Cor 12:10
* interpretation of tongues, 1 Cor 12:10

"Speaking in tongues" and "interpretation of tongues" are sometimes viewed as one gift, "tongues". The TNIV footnote has "languages" as a possible translation for "tongues".

[edit] Other commonly listed gifts

* apostles, 1 Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11. Some believe that the gift of apostleship was for the first apostles (Christian leaders/disciples) only.
* teachers / teaching, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:7, Eph 4:11
* helps / helping, 1 Cor 12:28
* administrations / guidance, 1 Cor 12:28

* ministry / serving, Rom 12:7
* encouragement / exhortation, Rom 12:8
* giving, Rom 12:8
* leading, Rom 12:8
* showing mercy, Rom 12:8

* evangelists, Eph 4:11
* pastors, Eph 4:11. Some take "pastors and teachers" to be combined.

[edit] Other Gifts

There is less consensus about other gifts, not mentioned usual lists of gifts:

* hospitality
* celibacy
* (voluntary) poverty


Gifts of the spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Jesus predicted the occurrence of false gifts, particularly in the end time (Matthew 24:24, 7:22,23). Hence while spiritual gifts are very important for a Christian, the fruit of the spirit is a better test of the genuineness of a person.

Answer 3

I don't believe that the gifts are given without a job offer.

If you accept a ministry, you'll be equipped accordingly. If you don't, your diet is limited to milk.