Spiritual Gifts 101: When?
When do you receive your spiritual gifts?
People bring presents on your birthday to celebrate the day you were physically born. In the same way, you receive your spiritual gifts at the moment you are spiritually born – when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. At that instant the Holy Spirit indwells you, and among other things, imparts your spiritual gifts and promises to never leave nor forsake you.
When should you use your spiritual gifts?
You should use your spiritual gifts whenever the opportunity arises. You have multiple interactions throughout your day with a wide variety of individuals. If your gift is intercession, and people tell you about a difficulty in their life, why not tell them that you will be praying for them? Moreover, why not ask them, “Would you mind if pray about that for you right now? Don’t be afraid to identify yourself as a Christian. You may be the only Christian that person knows and your behavior may ultimately lead them to Christ.
It’s also possible the Holy Spirit may choose to work through you using any of the spiritual gifts. I have the spiritual gifts of teaching and knowledge. But there have been many times the Spirit has worked through me in a gift that is not typical. I don’t have the spiritual gift of giving; yet there have been times God prompted me to anonymously help someone financially at time when the money was desperately needed. God has not given me the spiritual gift of evangelism; but at times the Spirit has worked through me to lead someone to the Lord. Right now I’m meeting weekly with a friend who isn’t working, can’t pay his bills, and may lose his house. Although I don’t have the gift of encouragement, somehow God has chosen to work through me to encourage this believer.
God specializes in the unexpected and the impossible. Remember: God can choose to work through you with any one of the spiritual gifts. But be especially sensitive to situations where you may employ your typical spiritual gifts.
When will your spiritual gifts leave you?
Your spiritual gifts will not leave you at any time that you are on earth. Spiritual gifts are not some THING; they are some ONE – the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t matter where you go, the Spirit is with you because He dwells within you.
The day will come, however, when the Holy Spirit no longer resides within you. That will be on the day God takes you from this earth to your eternal home in heaven. On that great and glorious day you no longer need the inner Presence of the Spirit because you will be WITH Him – and God the Father and God the Son – forevermore.
May God bless keep and use you for His glory all of your days on earth. Amen
© 2013 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
