I’ve been talking frequently lately about the gifts of the Spirit.  These are giftings and abilities given to us by God to be used for His glory and to build up the people around us.  As Paul says in Romans 12, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (vv4-6).  And again in 1 Corinthians 12, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed… there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (vv1, 4-7).

Below is a summary of each of the gifts of the Spirit (courtesy of one of my group members).  I’ve found this list very helpful over the years in understanding spiritual gifts in myself and in others.

ADMINISTRATION (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Organizes, arranges, and implements plans & details, More task/goal oriented than the Leadership gift

APOSTLESHIP (1 Cor 12:27-31, Eph. 4:11)

*  Missionary (One Sent), Church planter, 3-Fold Great Commission:  Evangelizes / Baptizes / Disciples

DISCERNMENT (1Cor 12:7-11)

*  Distinguishes truth from error, Identifies sources (God, world/human, satan), “Watchman” over motive

EVANGELISM (Eph. 4:11)

*  Yearns for “the lost”, Communicates the gospel in relevant terms, Helps others accept/decide for Christ

EXHORTATION (Romans 12:3-9)

*  Provides spiritual counsel, Stimulates faith/growth, Gives practical direction, Comforts, Encourages

FAITH (1Cor 12:7-11)

*  Sees what God wants to be done, Visionary, Exceptional confidence in God, Taps God’s resources for others

GIVING (Rom 12:3-9)

*  Discerns material & financial need, Exceptional financial strategist, Joy & humility in generous giving

HEALING (1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Instrument of God’s healing grace, Supernatural health restoration (body, mind, emotions), Prayer & faith

HELPS (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:27-31, 1 Peter 4:9, 10)

*  Performs practical ministries for others, Relieves another’s burdens, Does service tasks with joy

HOSPITALITY (1 Peter 4:9, 10)

*  Open house & warm welcome, Hosts travelers/lonely believers, Loves strangers, Makes people feel at home

KNOWLEDGE (1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Receives God’s judgments/decisions/insight into truth beyond human reason, Speaks God’s truths into lives

LEADERSHIP (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  By personal example, serves others, Helps others succeed, More relationship-oriented than the Administration gift

MERCY (Rom 12:3-9)

*  Supportive ministry of caring love to suffering believer, Senses others’ emotions, Compassionate to helpless

MIRACLES (1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Performs acts that oppose laws of nature, Vehicle for divine power, Sign to authenticate God’s message

PROPHECY (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31, Eph. 4:11, 1 Peter 4:9, 10)

*  Proclaims God’s truth, Builds up/encourages/reforms the Body by exposing sin & warning of judgment

TEACHING (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:27-31 , Eph. 4:11)

*  Studies/researches Scripture, Makes truth clear to others, Prepares others to respond/apply truth

TONGUES (1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Speaks in ecstatic and/or unknown foreign languages, Prays for situations no one knows how, Sign to identify God’s work

TONGUES INTERPRETATION (1 Cor 12:7-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31)

*  Tells the intent/meaning of ecstatic and/or unknown foreign languages, Enables delivery of God’s message

SERVING (Rom 12:3-9, 1 Cor 12:27-31, 1 Peter 4:9, 10)

*  Demonstrates love by meeting the personal, practical, and material needs of others, Tirelessly pursues manual projects

SHEPHERDING (Eph. 4:11)

*  Feeds/Nurtures others, Gently cares for, Raises to maturity, Defends, protects the oppressed, Shelters

WISDOM (1 Cor 12:7-11)

*  Receives God’s perspective and speaks from it, Communicates God’s insight to apply to real-life problems