Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Earlier this week, in Spiritual Entrepreneur, my weekly business blog, I shared a few opinions about the importance of using your spiritual gifts to create social impact. Interestingly, readers seemed very comfortable with the idea of social impact – and very uncertain about how to define spiritual gifts.

Well, you know me pretty well by now. If you ask me a question (which several of you did), you can be fairly certain I will do my best to answer it!

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts, simply put, are the qualities and values that guide how you enact your life. Some believe they are gifts from a divine source. Others believe they are developed though spiritual practice. Still others believe they are inherent in all of us.

No matter what your beliefs, the intentional use of your spiritual gifts can be life- changing – so let’s dive in and explore a few spiritual gifts identified through a variety of faith traditions.

Before you start, please keep in mind that the tricky thing about religion in general is interpretation. My way of understanding certain topics and your way of understanding those same topics, may differ.

Isn’t it wonderful that we have the freedom to explore religious diversity together?!

Rest assured, my writing does not, in any way, require you to agree with me. I invite you to consider this list a tool to help you identify and explore your own gifts. (You don’t even need to call them spiritual if you don’t want to – although I’ll let you know what religion they come from and where to find the base text.) This list was, in part, compiled with a little help from ChatGPT, then edited a wee bit.

Take it deeper:

See if you can select 3-5 spiritual qualities that you identify as your own, then, over the next month, look for ways to live more intentionally into the spiritual gifts you selected. You can keep this list as a reference and repeat this exercise each month using different words, or you can always visit my website blog page.

Let’s start with Christianity (It’s the longest list):

• Administration: The ability to manage and organize activities and resources efficiently (1 Corinthians 12:28)​ This is referenced to the church but can be true in any application.
• Artistic Expression: The ability to convey spiritual truths and inspire others through various forms of art (Exodus 35:30-35).
• Celibacy: The gift of remaining single and devoting oneself entirely to spiritual work (1 Corinthians 7:7-8).
• Craftsmanship: The talent for creating and designing things that enhance life and a spiritual environment (Exodus 31:3-5).
• Discernment of Spirits: The ability to distinguish between different types of spiritual influences (1 Corinthians 12:10)​
• Encouragement (Exhortation): The gift of encouraging and motivating others to live out their faith more fully (Romans 12:8).
• Faith: Exceptional trust and confidence in the divine, often inspiring others (1 Corinthians 12:9).
• Giving: The gift of generosity and the ability to support others materially and financially (Romans 12:8).
• Healing: The ability to facilitate physical, emotional, or spiritual healing (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28).
• Hospitality: The gift of making others feel welcome and comfortable, often through hosting and caring for guests (1 Peter 4:9-10).
• Intercession: A strong calling and ability to pray for others with intensity and commitment (1 Timothy 2:1).
• Knowledge: A deep understanding of spiritual and doctrinal matters (1 Corinthians 12:8).
• Leadership: The capacity to lead, guide, and organize a faith community or community of service (Romans 12:8).
• Mercy: The ability to show deep compassion and empathy, particularly towards those suffering or in need (Romans 12:8).
• Miracles: The capacity to perform extraordinary acts that defy natural laws (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28).
• Missionary: The calling and ability to live and work in cultures different from one’s own, spiritually serving those communities (Acts 13:2-3).
• Pastoral Care: The talent for providing spiritual guidance, support, and counseling to individuals and groups (Ephesians 4:11).
• Peacemaking: The ability to mediate conflicts and promote peace within the community and beyond (Matthew 5:9).
• Perseverance: The gift of enduring trials and challenges with unwavering faith and resilience (2 Thessalonians 1:4).
• Prophecy: The gift of receiving and communicating divine messages (1 Corinthians 12:10, Romans 12:6).
• Reconciliation: The ability to bring people together, heal divisions, and restore relationships (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
• Teaching: The talent for explaining and imparting spiritual knowledge clearly and effectively (Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11).
• Visionary Leadership: The ability to see and communicate a clear and compelling vision for the future of a community (Acts 2:17).
• Wisdom: The ability to offer deep insights and guidance that align with spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 12:8).
• Innovation: The talent for developing new methods, ideas, and practices that enhance spiritual life and ministry (Isaiah 43:19).

Buddhism:

• Generosity (Dana): The practice of giving selflessly to others (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).
• Morality (Sila): Adhering to ethical conduct and moral principles (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).
• Patience (Kshanti): The ability to endure difficulties and hardships calmly (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).
• Energy (Virya): The exertion of effort in pursuing the spiritual path (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).
• Meditative Concentration (Dhyana): The practice of deep meditation and focused mental states (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).
• Wisdom (Prajna): The deep understanding of the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment (Pali Canon, Sutta Pitaka).

Hinduism:

• Wisdom (Jnana): The pursuit and acquisition of knowledge, particularly spiritual wisdom (Bhagavad Gita 10:4).
• Forgiveness (Kshama): The practice of forgiving others and letting go of resentment (Bhagavad Gita 10:4).
• Non-violence (Ahimsa): The principle of not causing harm to any living being (Bhagavad Gita 10:5).
• Truthfulness (Satya): The commitment to truth in thought, speech, and action (Bhagavad Gita 10:5).
• Self-restraint (Dama): The practice of controlling one's senses and desires (Bhagavad Gita 10:5).

Islam:

• Patience (Sabr): The quality of enduring difficulties and remaining steadfast in faith (Qur'an 2:153).
• Gratitude (Shukr): The practice of being thankful and expressing gratitude to the Holy (Qur'an 14:7).
• Humility (Tawadu): The quality of being humble and modest (Qur'an 25:63).
• Generosity (Karim): The practice of giving and being generous to others (Qur'an 2:261).
• Trust in God (Tawakkul): The quality of placing complete trust and reliance on the Holy (Qur'an 3:159).

Judaism:

• Wisdom (Chokmah): The ability to make sound decisions and judgments based on knowledge and experience (Proverbs 4:7).
• Understanding (Binah): The capacity to discern and comprehend deeper meanings (Proverbs 3:5).
• Counsel (Eitzah): The ability to provide wise and helpful advice (Isaiah 11:2).
• Might (Gevurah): The quality of strength and courage in the face of adversity (Isaiah 11:2).
• Knowledge (Da'at): The acquisition and application of knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge (Isaiah 11:2).

Sikhism:

• Truthfulness (Sat): The quality of being truthful and honest (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 1).
• Contentment (Santokh): The state of being satisfied and at peace with what one has (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 3).
• Compassion (Daya): The practice of showing empathy and kindness to others (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 5).
• Humility (Nimrata): The quality of being humble and modest (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 6).
• Love (Pyare): The deep affection and love for all beings (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 10).

I hope this list is helpful for you and would love to hear what spiritual gifts you identify as your own! If you drop me a line, I’ll share mine with you, too!