A recent Seeds For Your Marriage podcast was released where Trisha Walker interviews Greg Holsclaw and they discuss why it is important to discover and steward your spiritual gifts.  Greg explains that raising our expectation in God and being aware of the Holy Spirit’s leading can greatly impact our marriages and decision-making.  

In this episode, Trisha expressed her belief that the foundation of all of society (whether it is the government sector, business sector, education sector or more) is built on family.  Healthy families (traditional or non-traditional) is the glue that keeps society healthy.  Therefore, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with education, resources and tools that help us to grow and foster family to the best of our ability.

The foundation of all of society (whether it is the government sector, business sector, education sector or more) is built on family.  – Trisha Walker

Greg Holsclaw said, “Everyone has spiritual gifts and is called to steward them intentionally, regardless of their role in ministry.”  To give you an understanding of what the different spiritual gifts are, I am listing them below.  You can learn more about this topic in Greg’s book, Supernatural Theology: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts.

Everyone has spiritual gifts and is called to steward them intentionally, regardless of their role in ministry.  – Greg Holsclaw

Definitions of the Spiritual Gifts

The definitions below are the spiritual gifts in the bible.  This list was compiled by the Rock Church San Diego. You can find the biblical references <here>.

Administration

The gift of administration is the divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks.

Craftsmanship

The gift of craftsmanship is the divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in construction environments to accomplish multiple ministry applications.

Evangelism

The gift of evangelism is the divine strength or ability to help non-Christians take the necessary steps to becoming a born-again Christian.

Faith

The gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe in God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life.

Healing

The gift of healing is the divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying-on of hands for the healing of physical, mental and spiritual sickness.

Hospitality

The gift of hospitality is the divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church.

Word of Knowledge

The gift of knowledge is the divine strength or ability to bring truth to a situation by supernatural revelation. This is often accompanied by a word from God.

Mercy

The gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.

Pastor/Shepherd

The gift of pastor/shepherd is the divine strength or ability to care for the personal needs of others by nurturing and mending life issues.

Service

The gift of serving is the divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ.

Tongues (and Interpretation)

The gift of tongues is the divine strength or ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. The gift of tongues is often accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately.

Apostleship

The gift of apostleship is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training.

Discernment

The gift of discernment is the divine strength or ability to spiritually identify falsehood, to distinguish between right and wrong motives and the spiritual forces at work in situations.

Exhortation

The gift of exhortation is the divine strength or ability to strengthen, comfort or urge others to action through the written or spoken word and Biblical truth.

Giving

The gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.

Helps

The gift of helps is the divine strength or ability to work in a supportive role for the accomplishment of tasks in Christian ministry with the ability to often see the need before others do.

Intercession

The gift of intercession is the divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace, believing for profound results.

Leadership

The gift of leadership is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea.

Miracles

The gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction.

Prophecy

The gift of prophecy is the divine strength or ability to communicate God’s truth and heart in a way that calls people to a right relationship with God.

Teaching

The gift of teaching is the divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Scriptures primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians.

Word of Wisdom

The gift of wisdom is the divine strength or ability to understand and to bring clarity to situations and circumstances often through applying the truths of Scripture in a practical way.

There are different spiritual gift tests that can be taken online.  Learning what our individual spiritual gifts are is helpful in learning how God made us each unique.  When we can walk confidently in who we are in Christ, how He made us, what He is calling us to, the gifts He has given us, and learn how to grow in them, we can then make a positive, significant impact in our families, society, and this world.

Balancing Spiritual Gifts and Character Building

While growing and operating in our spiritual gifts is important, there must be growth in our character as well. Building character in God involves cultivating qualities such as love, kindness, patience, humility, and resilience. Here are some tips on how you can build your character in God:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

1. **Prayer**: Regular communication with God through prayer can help you stay connected to your Heavenly Father and seek guidance on building your character.

2. **Study the Scriptures**: Reading and studying the bible can provide you with wisdom and insights on how to live a virtuous life according to your faith.

3. **Practice Gratitude**: Expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life can help you cultivate a positive mindset and develop a humble and thankful attitude.

4. **Serve Others**: Volunteering and helping those in need can help you develop empathy, compassion, and a sense of purpose in serving God through serving others.

5. **Practice Forgiveness**: Learning to forgive others and yourself can free you from resentment and anger, and help you embody the forgiveness and mercy that are often central to Jesus’ teachings.

6. **Seek Guidance from Christian Leaders**: Consulting with pastors, christian counselors, leaders or mentors can provide you with insights and advice on how to strengthen your relationship with God and build your character.

7. **Reflect on Your Actions**: Regularly reflect on your thoughts, words, and actions to identify areas for improvement and strive to align your behavior with your values and beliefs.

8. **Live with Integrity**: Strive to live a life of honesty, integrity, and authenticity, honoring your commitments and staying true to your moral principles.

Remember that building character is a lifelong journey that requires self-awareness, reflection, and dedication to living a life that reflects your faith and values.

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About Trisha & Thomas Walker

Trisha and Thomas are founders of Seeds For Your Community, a faith-centered nonprofit that helps individuals and families experience healing in spirit, soul, and body. Through relationship coaching, practical tools, marriage education, and global outreach, Seeds For Your Community plants small seeds that restore families and build healthier communities.