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Home > Articles > How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
The Heart of the Issue
How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
3 ways to discern how God wired you.
Nancy Ortberg

Topics:Holy Spirit, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual formation, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual growth
Filters:Pastor, Pastoral care, Spiritual director, Woman leader, Women's ministry
Purpose:Discipleship
References:Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4
Date Added:October 07, 2008

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Posted: October 09, 2008
Concerned  (Guest)
It's likely that believing sinners have a gift mix -- not just one gift. Also, our deep joy and satisfaction is a by-product, not a motivation. This article is too self-centered. To God be the glory, remember? Lastly, our gift mix is sometimes changed depending on what work God needs to have done. And it's possible to lose our gifts if we don't use them (e.g. the parable of the talents). I just find this article incomplete.

Posted: October 15, 2008
john  (Guest)
moorebiz, it sounds like administration is not fun for YOU but to some it might be a joy. Neighsaying a gift because it doesnt involve a goatee and an electric guitar or a "sexy" spriitual gift seems to miss the point of the article.

Posted: October 14, 2008
Lavabear  (Guest)
I don't hear any negativity in this article at all, but rather a hope and passion that believers will discover how God has wired them to serve the body of Christ. I completely disagree with Moorebiz...spiritual gifts are given to us by our Creator, the God who knows us most intimately -- better than we know ourselves. If He can't pick the best spiritual gift(s) for us, then we have no hope for ever discovering the joy of living a lifestyle of servant leadership. I believe God gifts us in accordance with how He's wired us emotionally and physically. When we serve in our "sweet spots" our joy will be full!


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Discovering and utilizing your spiritual gifts is one of the most exciting adventures a person can have with God. The Bible says spiritual gifts are abilities God bestows on every believer for the common good of the body of Christ. They're a large part of the answer to the question, "What should I do with the life God gave me?"

Passages like 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4 go into specific detail about what these gifts are and how they should be used. It's clear every spiritual gift is a reflection of God's nature that you carry within you. And because your spiritual gift reflects God's design and direction for your life, you'll find great passion, joy, and satisfaction in expressing it. Your spiritual gift also will be a place of deep spiritual formation in your life, as God uses it both to powerfully connect you to him and to expose areas of your soul that need his forgiveness and redemption.

So here's a process to start:

Pay attention. Notice the things that energize you and seem to come naturally. Remember the quote from the movie Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddell explained to his sister why he was postponing his return to the mission field in order to race in the Olympics? "Because when I run, I feel the pleasure of God."

Every spiritual gift gives off clues. Your spiritual gift will cause you to react a certain way in a given situation. If there's a problem, people with the spiritual gift of shepherding will be immediately concerned that people are cared for and growing in Christlikeness as a result of the issue. Those with the gift of intercession (prayer) will immediately say, "We need to pray about this," while those with a leadership gift will begin looking at solutions for the problem.

Try. Once you've gathered enough information to create a list of some possible gifts (perhaps gifts of mercy, evangelism, encouragement, or hospitality), exercise your options. A great place to start would be a volunteer position at your church. While you're trying it out, you'll start to discern whether you're good at it or not. Also, others will tell you!

When my kids were young, our church needed help in the nursery during the worship services. I volunteered for a three-month opening. I didn't feel the pleasure of God; the children didn't feel the pleasure of God. It was so not my spiritual gift. Part of learning what you're good at is having to go through the pain of learning what you're not good at.

As you try different things, you'll eventually find yourself engaged in something during which time flies and you find a deep sense of connection to God. Pick that road to continue your adventure.

Develop. In 2 Timothy 1:6, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." We're responsible to develop our gifts. Perhaps one of the best ways to do that is to mentor someone who's just starting on this discovery process. People with the spiritual gift of wisdom are probably the best people to develop someone else with the spiritual gift of wisdom, and so on for each of the gifts.