How do spiritual gifts differ from natural talents and the fruit of the Spirit? (Part 1)
Training Category: Spiritual Gifts For Today
The Bible describes spiritual gifts in a way that sets them apart from natural talents (human abilities) and the fruit of the Spirit (spiritual fruitfulness). Read on for importance of making this distinction.
Spiritual Gifts and Natural Talents or Human Abilities
Bottom line: All we have comes from God so in that sense natural talents or human abilities, whatever they might be, are all gifts from God. Whether spiritual or natural gifts, we should use them for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) as faithful stewards (1 Cor 4:2) of that which He has given us.
To Read:
Scripture, however, appears to set apart spiritual gifts as something different from natural talents or human abilities.
Talents are natural abilities that seem to be hereditary, to run in the genes, or to have been learned through conditioning from the environment in which we lived or through training we have received. Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are an empowerment of supernatural origin, not a result of genetics, training, or conditioning.
Unbelievers, as well as believers, have talents or natural abilities. Only believers, however, have spiritual gifts.
Talents or natural abilities can be a vehicle through which we use our gifts which is possibly why some people will equate the two.
Spiritual Gifts and The Fruit of the Spirit or Spiritual Fruitfulness
Both the gifts and spiritual fruit are works of the Holy Spirit but they are two distinct workings of the Spirit.
Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Spiritual gifts are a special divine empowerment to serve like teaching, leading, encouraging, giving, showing mercy, etc.
Spiritual Fruit: Galatians 5:16-26
Spiritual fruit is the result of what we do in His power like the development of character traits, new converts, or praise given to God.
Spiritual gifts therefore have more to do with the process of ministry whereas spiritual fruit is the product of ministry.
Yield Both the Spiritual and Natural to the Control of the Spirit
Rather than get hung up in terminology, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31) and in "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:17). Depend on the Lord as you use both your spiritual gifts and natural abilities in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God and with that focus you will bear spiritual fruit.
Spiritual Gifts: God's Enablement to Do Your Part Serving God Effectively (Part 2)
Training Category: Spiritual Gifts For Today
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From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16)Since everybody has a part in serving God, it's important to learn about God's enablement for us to do our part -- spiritual gifts.
Understanding Spiritual Gifts as God's Enablement
Spiritual Gifts, given by the Holy Spirit, are God's enablement for believers to do their part. Written in the context of spiritual gifting, Ephesians 4:16 lets us know that each and every Christian has an important part in the growth of the Body. -- Serving one another through the use of our gifts is not optional.
Learn about Spiritual Gifting:
Questions to Answer:
Why should we learn about spiritual gifts?
What is the definition for a spiritual gift?
What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
What are the different spiritual gifts?
How do the gifts differ from talents, natural abilities, and spiritual fruit?
More Frequently Asked Questions about Spiritual Gifts
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts To Do Your Part
Since there is a limit on the time we can serve, we need to structure our ministries around giftedness for maximum effectiveness. Knowing how we are spiritually gifted will help us identify where to put our focus, energy, and time. It will show us where we should plug in to ministry to do our part in serving God.
Learn How to Identify Your Gifting:
What does it mean to discover your spiritual gifts?
How does identifying your spiritual gifts help you do your part?
Where can I take a spiritual gifts test?
Using Giftedness when Serving
It isn't enough to just learn about gifting. We need to identify ministries that enable us to do our part and then look for opportunities to get involved.
Learn How to Develop and Use Your Gifts:
What ministries use the various gifts?
What are examples of spiritual gifts in use?
How do we get the church to operate within the sphere of spiritual gifting?
Work your way through this Bible teaching to not only define and identify your spiritual gifts but also to develop your gifting and to determine what kinds of ministries to pursue to effectively do your part in serving God.
