Living a life for God is the best decision you will ever make in life. When we devote our lives to God, He adds so many things unto us—eternal life, healing, restoration, favour, blessing and even an array of gifts.
A gift is something that is given freely regardless of whether we earn it or not. We don't have to earn a gift or pay for a gift. It's just given. In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Paul talks about spiritual gifts that come in Christ through the Holy Spirit. We are all given access to a set of spiritual giftings that serve a specific purpose. Some might move in wisdom, service, leadership, faith, miracles, prophecy and discernment just to name a few.
But how can we be so sure that the gifts and talents that we have are truly from God? And how can we use them in the right way without abusing or undervaluing these gifts? Here are three things to always look for.
1. Look for Jesus in Your Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:3 tells us, "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."
The best way to determine the source of the gift is to look for the gift giver's signature. Jesus has got His name written all over your gifts and if we're open enough to find it, we will see Him through our gifting. Spiritual gifts bring honour to the name of Christ, are motivated by the compassion of Christ for others and have the excellence marked by the perfectness of Christ. Jesus is written all over our gifts, and it's hard to miss it.
2. Your Gifts Help Others
Your gifts are much bigger than just you. They are there for two bigger purposes: to honour God and to serve other people. When Jesus comes into our hearts in an overflowing manner, we get a surplus that needs to be channelled into others.
That's where gifts come in. They're an outlet for us to be a channel of the extravagant love, grace and favour God has bestowed upon us. 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us this "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
3. Look to the Holy Spirit
Without the move and impartation of the Holy Spirit, our gifts cannot be activated. Have you ever noticed how your gifts just don't work when you feel far from God? That's because it's His presence that gets our gifts moving. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
The only way your gifts work is if the Spirit works in us. When we deprive ourselves of the move and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our gifts do not work. This is proof that our gifts come from no one else but God.
