Christian Living

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In I Timothy 4:14 and I Peter 4:10-11 the subject of using one's spiritual gifts is emphasized. This means that a person's gift must first be identified. Every believer has at least one spirit manifested gift, totally different from any natural or developed abilities.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in the following passages of scripture: Romans 12:4-8, I Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-31, and Ephesians 4:11-13. It is a good idea to read books on spiritual gifts to help identify evidences of each one in your particular life.

The best way to identify your spiritual gift is by asking several questions. What are some ways you believe about yourself, or others have mentioned, that you minister effectively to other people? What do you enjoy doing and others recognize that you are good at, but you have never had any training in? Do you see any area in your life ministry that God appears to really be blessing?

Get involved in various sorts of ministries to see what you enjoy and are good at, but God will probably give you a burden for the area in which you can most effectively utilize your particular gift.

Spiritual giftedness is a neglected topic in many churches, but is essential if the church is to function as God intended. You can make an important contribution to the church by using your gift. In fact, your personal spiritual gift is so critical to be put to use that if it is not, other people may be deprived of growth, or from being ministered to, in a way that only you can do.

See God begin to maximize your life in the lives of other people by identifying and utilizing your gift. Don't shortchange yourself, and deprive others of blessing by not using your gift.

I will use an example from my own life. I had had a real burden to speak and teach God's Word for a long time and believed this was my area of spiritual giftedness. A contact was made with the chaplain of the local mission, and after hearing me speak one time he told me I was a gifted speaker and Bible teacher. God confirmed it in several other ways. All of the elements of a confirmed spiritual gift were evident. God instilled a burden in me, an opportunity opened for me to use it, someone else recognized it, and God continues to bless it.

You have value and are an important piece of the body of Christ, but you will never know how valuable you are until you begin using your gift.

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