Spiritual Gift Analysis

A couple weeks ago I was reading a friends blog and she mentioned spiritual gifts. She's in a bible study that is currently studying Romans, verse by verse. So, being the internet savvy person she is she found a "quiz" to figure out one's spiritual gift(s).

Now, I know God has blessed me with at least one gift, but I couldn't necessarily tell you what it is. Sure, I could tell you about my character, but I could never tell you biblically what I feel I've been gifted with.

Maybe this quiz would help. Or at least maybe it would enlighten me.

So what am I? First off, here are my options:

• Evangelism
• Prophecy
• Teaching
• Exhortation
• Pastor/Shepherd
• Showing Mercy
• Serving
• Giving
• Administration

I could see 2, maybe 3 things that I tend to lean towards. So what did my results say? My number one is showing mercy. Yeah, I figured that would have been a top. Second, exhortation. What is exhortation? Better figure that out...quickly. And my third top tied between pastor/shepherd and administration. I would have guessed administration would have been one, I picked it for myself. I'm not so sure about pastor/shepherd though...

Next the "Spiritual Gifts Analysis" goes further to describe your gifts. Spiritual gifts are tools God gives Christians to do the work of the ministry - to fulfill the Great Commission... So my dominant gifts are showing mercy and exhortation (I'm gonna learn what that one is).

Showing Mercy:

• The Greek word "ellco" means to feel sympathy with or for others.
• You have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress.
• You understand and comfort your fellow Christians.
• You have the ability to show empathy, which is to feel with others, not just for others.
• You seem to say the right thing at the right time.
• Your personality is likely one of soft-spoken love.
• It hurts you to scold someone; you are very non-condemning.
• People love you because of all the love you give them.
• You find it easy to express yourself and are outgoing with a low-key inoffensive personality.
• You are easy to talk to, responsive to people, a good listener, peaceable, and agreeable.
• You tend to make decisions based on feelings rather than facts, and you like to think about things for a while before making a decision.
• You tend to attract people who are hurting or rejoicing because you identify with them.
• Try not to resent others who are not as understanding as you.
• Refrain from becoming a gossiper when you are around other mercy-showers.
• Do not let your circumstances control you.
• Your gift is best in times of sorrow and in times of great joy.

Exhortation:

• The Greek word "parakaleo" means to admonish, to encourage, to beseech.
• You are a "how to" person.
• You have a Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by motivating others to action by urging them to pursue a course of conduct.
• You reach out and help Christians become more mature.
• You are a very practical person, a good counselor, tolerant of others, serious-minded, orderly, and usually impulsive.
• You are comfortable working one-on-one or in groups.
• You are enthusiastic and talkative and enjoy encouraging others.
• You likely place great importance on God's will and believe that His Word has the answer for every problem.
• You tend to make decisions logically rather than on feelings and are very orderly.
• Be careful not to interrupt other people; your enthusiasm sometimes makes you guilty of this.

So there you have it. I feel sympathy then I encourage. Or I encourage then I sympathize. Now I just need to find out more what the bible has to say about these spiritual gifts and how God encourages (parakaleo) them to be used.

So what are your spiritual gifts? How do you feel God is using you?