Spiritual Gifts: What They Are and How to Use Them Well

Have you ever watched someone serve in church and thought, I could never do that? Or felt unsure if you even have spiritual gifts at all? You’re not alone. Many believers want to help, but don’t know where they fit, or they worry they’ll do it wrong.

In simple terms, spiritual gifts are Spirit-given abilities God gives believers so they can serve others. They aren’t a talent contest, and they aren’t a way to earn God’s love. They’re a way to love people on purpose, with God’s help.

This post takes a dispensational, Bible-first approach and keeps the focus on the main gift passages: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 to 14, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. The goal is clarity and encouragement, so you can serve with peace, not pressure.

What are spiritual gifts in the Bible, and why do they matter?

The Bible describes spiritual gifts as ways the Holy Spirit works through believers for the good of others. Paul says, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). In other words, gifts are not mainly about the person who has them, they’re about the people who benefit from them.

Spiritual gifts matter because they build up the church. Ephesians 4:12 says gifts are given “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” When gifts are used well, people grow stronger in faith, teaching stays grounded, and burdens get shared instead of dumped on a few.

They also help believers serve each other in everyday ways. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). That can look simple, like meals, rides, prayer, teaching kids, or wise counsel at the right moment.

Spiritual gifts also point to Christ. When the body works together, Jesus looks beautiful, not because everyone is impressive, but because love is active and needs are met.

It also helps to name what gifts are not:

• They’re not a spiritual rank. No gift makes someone “more important” (1 Corinthians 12:14 to 26).
• They’re not proof of salvation. A person can be gifted and still immature.
• They’re not the same as spiritual fruit. Fruit is Christlike character (Galatians 5:22 to 23), gifts are tools for service.

From a dispensational view, spiritual gifts operate in the Church Age. There’s also honest debate about the duration of some sign gifts. You don’t have to solve every question before you serve. Start with what Scripture is clear about: God gives gifts, and He calls us to use them to help others.

How spiritual gifts differ from natural talents, roles, and spiritual fruit

Natural talents are abilities you may have from birth or practice. A person might be a strong public speaker at work, but teaching in the church is more than skill. It’s Spirit-empowered clarity that feeds the body and stays true to Scripture.

Church roles are offices or responsibilities, like elder or deacon (1 Timothy 3). A role sets boundaries and accountability. A gift is an ability you can use inside or outside a title. Someone without a formal role might still show real mercy, hospitality, or wise counsel.

Spiritual fruit is different again. Fruit is who you’re becoming over time. Gifts are how you serve right now. Fruit matters because gifts without love turn loud and hollow (1 Corinthians 13).

Where the main gift lists are found (and what they emphasize)

The New Testament gives several “lists,” and each one has a focus:

• Romans 12:6 to 8 highlights service-minded gifts like serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy.
• 1 Corinthians 12 to 14 stresses unity and variety (12), love (13), and order in gatherings (14).
• Ephesians 4:11 to 12 centers on leaders Christ gives to equip the church for maturity.
• 1 Peter 4:10 to 11 frames gifts as stewardship, serving with God’s strength so God gets the glory.

Spiritual gifts lists and groupings: functional categories and theological groupings

Because the lists overlap, it helps to think about gifts in two ways. First, how they function in real life. Second, how some dispensational teachers group them to explain their purpose in the early church and in the church today.

One reminder before the categories: the point isn’t to label yourself forever. The point is to serve in a way that fits how God made you, and meets real needs.

Functional classifications: speaking gifts, serving gifts, and support gifts

Speaking gifts help people understand and respond to God’s truth.

• Teaching: explaining Scripture clearly so people can obey it.
• Exhortation (encouragement): urging people toward faith, repentance, and steady hope.
• Prophecy (as forth-telling God’s truth): speaking God’s message with clarity and conviction, in line with Scripture.
• Evangelism: explaining the gospel simply and calling for a response.

Example: A believer leads a small group, keeps the Bible open, and helps others apply it on Monday, not just on Sunday.

Serving gifts meet needs in practical, often quiet ways.

• Helps/service: doing what needs doing so others can thrive.
• Mercy: showing compassion to the hurting, the sick, and the overlooked.
• Giving: meeting needs with generosity and wisdom.
• Hospitality: welcoming people into your space and your life.

Example: A family hosts newcomers for lunch, listens well, and makes them feel seen.

Support and leadership gifts help the church stay steady, wise, and organized.

• Administration: bringing order to plans, people, and details.
• Leadership: setting direction, making decisions, and taking responsibility.
• Discernment: recognizing what is true and what is harmful.
• Faith: trusting God with unusual steadiness when others feel shaky.

Example: When a ministry is messy, someone quietly organizes volunteers and schedules so care doesn’t fall through.

Theological groupings in dispensational teaching: equipping gifts, service gifts, and sign gifts

Dispensational teaching often uses three broad groupings.

Equipping gifts are tied to building up the church through leadership and teaching. Ephesians 4:11 to 12 lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers. Many dispensationalists understand apostles and prophets as foundational in the early church (Ephesians 2:20), connected to the initial laying down of doctrine and the New Testament witness. Evangelists and pastor-teachers continue to equip believers through the Word.

Service gifts describe much of the steady, everyday work of church life (Romans 12; 1 Peter 4:10 to 11). They may not draw attention, but they keep the body healthy. Mercy, giving, helps, and hospitality often carry the weight of real care.

Sign gifts include tongues, interpretation, miracles, and healings (1 Corinthians 12). Many dispensationalists connect these to authenticating signs in the apostolic era, while others believe they continue today. Either way, Scripture calls for love (1 Corinthians 13) and order in gatherings (1 Corinthians 14:40). When believers disagree, humility matters as much as conclusions.

How to discover and use spiritual gifts with wisdom, love, and order

Spiritual gifts usually become clear while you’re serving, not while you’re only thinking about serving. Start with a heart that wants to help, not a need to stand out.

Keep Scripture in front. Gifts should build others up, not confuse or divide. In church settings, gifts should function with order and accountability, not chaos. Paul’s guardrails are simple: aim for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26) and do things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Above everything, love is the operating system. Without love, the most public gift turns into noise (1 Corinthians 13). With love, even small service becomes strong and steady.

And here’s the comfort: you’re not powering this on your own. “Whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11). God supplies what He assigns.

A simple process to identify your spiritual gifts (without pressure)

• Pray for wisdom (James 1:5), ask God to shape your desires toward real needs.
• Read the gift passages (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12 to 14; Ephesians 4; 1 Peter 4) and note repeated themes.
• Try a few service areas for 4 to 6 weeks, long enough to move past first-time nerves.
• Look for fruit and usefulness, ask, Is this helping people? Is it pointing to Christ?
• Ask trusted believers and leaders what they see in you, then keep learning.

Gift tests can be a decent starting point, but they shouldn’t replace Scripture, wise counsel, and real service.

Common mistakes and healthy guardrails when using spiritual gifts

Common pitfalls show up fast:

• Comparing gifts and feeling “less than”
• Chasing the dramatic while skipping ordinary faithfulness
• Ignoring character growth while using a gift publicly
• Using gifts to control people
• Burning out by doing everything

Healthy guardrails keep you steady: humility (Romans 12:3), teamwork (1 Corinthians 12:12 to 27), love first (1 Corinthians 13), and accountability in your local church.

Conclusion

Spiritual gifts are God’s tools for serving people and building up the church, not badges of status. They’re meant to strengthen others, point to Christ, and help the body function as one.

Take one next step this week: pray for wisdom, read one passage (try Romans 12), volunteer once, or ask a leader where help is needed. God doesn’t call you to do this alone. He gives spiritual gifts for the good of others, and He supplies strength as you serve (1 Peter 4:10 to 11).