By guest writer, Kyle Spradley, Director of SOMA-USA.
Christian spiritual gifts are special abilities planted in believers by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to serve God and others in unique ways. Unlike human talents or skills, which individuals may hone and develop through practice and learning, spiritual gifts are distinct, Holy Spirit–given capacities aimed at reflecting God’s love and building up the Church.
Have you ever confused your résumé skills with the Spirit’s gifts?
There’s a story that illustrates this misunderstanding and the need for biblical discernment. A woman who worked for a Christian nonprofit was tasked with interviewing potential employees who would serve within the organization. During one of these interviews, she asked an applicant if he knew what his spiritual gifts were. The applicant, not sure how to respond but without missing a beat, stated, “Computer programming!” He then explained in great detail how he used his unique talent to serve. This story provides one illustration of some of the confusion surrounding spiritual gifts in today’s Church.
One component of being renewed in the Holy Spirit can be a reminder, or a new release, of spiritual gifts. There aren’t many of us who would object to the spiritual gifts of serving, teaching, faith, or generosity. We can agree on the necessity of and dependence on these gifts in the Church; however, when it comes to other spiritual gifts, some of us take pause. With gifts of miraculous powers, tongues, distinguishing between spirits, and prophecy, there can be misunderstanding or even skepticism. Without appropriate discipleship, spiritual gifts can be misused or ignored.
First Corinthians chapter 14 illustrates how Paul catechized the Corinthian church to conduct orderly worship and to discern the proper time and expression for the gifts of tongues and prophecy. Though not common in many of our churches today, Paul instructs us by his example. We need a clear and proper understanding of when and how to exercise spiritual gifts.
In my walk with the Lord, I see spiritual gifts as a two-sided coin.
On one side, it’s a blessing and a gift. I didn’t work for it, nor did I earn it. The flip side is the challenge. I need to do more than simply accept it. I must grow it, nurture it, water it. My experience has been that exercising a supernatural gift, such as a word of wisdom, healing, or a prophetic word, actually requires more faith and obedience. There is an expectation that, after receiving a gift, we are to be good stewards and not “bury it in the ground.” If we desire to receive more spiritual gifts, we must first be faithful with what we have already been given.
Our church holds a monthly food bank. In addition to blessing individuals and families with food, we also offer a prayer station. Prayer requests are usually fairly general, such as “for family,” but sometimes they are deeply heartbreaking. Two months ago, a person whom I had never met before stopped for prayer. I don’t recall their specific request, but I keenly remember how the Lord guided me.
As I was praying, I received a “word” from the Spirit. Essentially, it was, “Pray for them to receive the gift of healing.” Best practices would have necessitated that I pause and say to the person, “I get the sense that God may want to give you the gift of healing. Is it okay if we pray for that?” Well… I blew past that part. I transitioned my prayer in the following sentence and began to pray for them to receive the gift. After I finished praying and said amen, the person declared, “Thank you. And when you prayed that I would receive the gift of healing, I felt something!”
What are the takeaways from this experience? Several things.
- I need recurring discipleship and encouragement from other Christians to persevere in God’s giftings.
- I should follow best practices and “do no harm,” while also remembering that God is in the middle of it. I received grace, and the person responded with excitement.
- Isaiah 55:11 reminds us: “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” I prayed for the gift through the Spirit’s urging, but it was God who purposed and accomplished it.
- If I had been fearful and failed to faithfully steward the prophetic prompting, both of us would have missed out on God’s blessing.
Paul instructs us to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,” and again to “earnestly desire the higher gifts.” That exhortation was not meant to be abstract or theoretical, but lived out within the Church through teaching, discernment, and faithful practice. None of us grows into maturity in the Spirit alone; we need wise leaders, shared worship, and trustworthy discipleship to help us receive and steward what God gives.
It is in that spirit that the Rehydrate Conference, on which I have had the pleasure of working, on behalf of SOMA-USA, along with the American Anglican Council, exists. Through gifted and experienced leaders from the Anglican Communion, we are invited into a space where we can ask, seek, knock, and receive together, learning how to pursue love while earnestly desiring the Spirit’s work in our lives. I look forward to gathering at Christ Church in Savannah, GA next month as we seek renewal and deeper formation in the Holy Spirit. I hope you can come and receive whatever God has for you!
May He grant us the grace to drink deeply, live fully, and pour abundantly!
Kyle Spradley embraced his faith later in life at age 36. He quickly discovered a passion for world missions. Within just six months, he served on his first cross-cultural mission to Kenya. From the beginning, Kyle was deeply committed to discipleship, evangelism, and spiritual renewal. In 2021, after a successful 30-year career, he experienced three supernatural events that led him to become the National Director of Sharing of Ministries Abroad, an international cross-cultural mission agency. Since 2003, Kyle has either served on, equipped missioners, or led teams on impactful short-term missions.
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