"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" - John 10:27 NASB
Walking in the gifts of the spirit is as simple as repeating what we hear from God. We can over complicated them, but when we get down to it, it's simply repeating after God. Quieting ourselves, listening, repeating. It's not magic, it's listening.
All Christians should be hearing from God. We should all be baptized in the Holy Spirit and seeking to quiet ourselves long enough to hear form God daily. When we are all walking in our spiritual gifts, we are able to encourage each other. No one is left discouraged or alone. :-)
When you know your gifts, you realize why you act and feel the way you do. I understand why I write the way I write, I understand why certian things stir me up, I understand why I see things the way I do. When you know what God's put in you your life makes more sense in the most intimate ways.
The following, in blue, is an article by Mary Fairchild posted on About.com
Identifying Spiritual Gifts
Although there is a great deal of disagreement over spiritual gifts among different denominations, most Bible scholars classify these gifts into three categories: ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts.
Ministry Gifts
The ministry gifts serve to reveal the plan of God. They are
characteristic of a full-time office or calling, rather than a gift that
can function in and through any believer. The ministry gifts were once
presented to me through a five finger illustration that I've never
forgotten:
- Apostle - An apostle
establishes and builds churches; he's a church planter. An apostle may
function in many or all of the ministry gifts. He is the "thumb," the strongest of all of the fingers, able to touch every finger.
- Prophet - Prophet in the Greek means to "forth
tell" in the sense of speaking for another. A prophet functions as God's
mouth piece, speaking forth God's Word. The prophet is the "index finger," or pointer finger. He points to the future and points out sin.
- Evangelist - An evangelist is called to be a witness for Jesus Christ.
He works for the local church to bring people into the body of Christ
where they can be discipled. He may evangelize through music, drama,
preaching, and other creative ways. He is the "middle finger,"
the tallest one who stands out in the crowd. Evangelists draw a lot of
attention, but they are called to serve the local body.
- Pastor - The pastor is the shepherd of the people. A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The pastor is the "ring finger." He is married to the church; called to stay, oversee, nurture and guide.
- Teacher - The teacher and the pastor are often a
shared office, but not always. The teacher lays the foundation and is
concerned with detail and accuracy. He delights in research to validate
truth. The teacher is the "pinky finger." Though seemingly small
and insignificant, he is designed specifically for digging into tight,
dark places, shinning light and picking apart the Word of truth.
Manifestation Gifts
The manifestation gifts serve to reveal the power of God. These gifts
are supernatural or spiritual in nature. They can be further subdivided
into three groups: utterance, power, and revelation.
Utterance - These gifts say something:
- Prophecy - This is the "forth telling" of the inspired Word
of God primarily to the church, for the purpose of confirming the
written Word and building up the entire body. The message is usually one
of edification, exhortation or consolation, although it can declare
God's will in a particular circumstance, and in rare cases, predict
future events.
- Speaking in Tongues - This is a supernatural
utterance in an unlearned language which is interpreted so that the
entire body will be edified. Tongues may also be a sign to unbelievers.
- Interpretation of Tongues - This is a
supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues, translated into the
known language so that the hearers (the entire body) will be edified.
Power - These gifts do something:
- Faith - This is not the faith that is measured to every
believer, nor is it "saving faith." This is special, supernatural faith
given by the Spirit to receive miracles or to believe God for miracles.
- Healing - This is supernatural healing, beyond natural means, given by the Spirit.
- Miracles - This is the supernatural suspension of the natural laws, or an intervention by the Holy Spirit into the laws of nature.
Revelation - These gifts reveal something:
- Word of Wisdom - This is supernatural knowledge applied in a
godly or correct way. One commentary describes it as "insight into
doctrinal truth."
- Word of Knowledge - This is supernatural
knowledge of facts and information that can only be revealed by God for
the purpose of applying doctrinal truth.
- Discerning of Spirits - This is the supernatural
ability to distinguish between spirits such as good and evil, truthful
or deceiving, prophetic versus satanic.
Motivational Gifts
The motivational gifts serve to reveal the personality of God. These
gifts are practical in nature. They describe the inner motivations of
the Christian servant.
- Prophecy - Those with the motivational gift of prophecy are
the "seers" or "eyes" of the body. They have insight, foresight, and act
like watch dogs in the church. They warn of sin or reveal sin. They are
usually very verbal and may come across as judgmental and impersonal;
they are loyal to truth over friendship, serious, dedicated.
- Ministering/Serving/Helps - Those with the
motivational gift of serving are the "hands" of the body. They are
concerned with meeting needs; they are highly motivated, doers. They may
tend to over commit, but find joy in serving and meeting short-term
goals.
- Teaching - Those with the motivational gift of
teaching are the "mind" of the body. They realize their gift is
foundational; they emphasize accuracy of words and love to study; they
delight in research to validate truth.
- Giving - Those with the motivational gift of giving
are the "arms" of the body. They truly enjoy reaching out in giving.
They are excited by the prospect of blessing others; they desire to give
quietly, in secret, but will also motivate others to give. They are
alert to people's needs; they give cheerfully and always give the best
that they can.
- Exhortation/Encouragement - Those with the
motivational gift of encouragement are the "mouth" of the body. Like
cheerleaders, they encourage other believers and are motivated by a
desire to see people grow and mature in the Lord. They are practical and
positive and they seek positive responses.
- Administration/Leadership - Those with the
motivational gift of leadership are the "head" of the body. They have
the ability to see the overall picture and set long-term goals; they are
good organizers and find efficient ways of getting work done. Although
they may not seek leadership, they will assume it when no leader is
available. They receive fulfillment when others come together to
complete a task.
- Mercy - Those with the motivational gift of mercy
are the "heart" of the body. They easily sense the joy or distress in
other people and are sensitive to feelings and needs. They are attracted
to and patient with people in need, motivated by a desire to see people
healed of hurts. They are truly meek in nature and avoid firmness.
