Spiritual Assessment and Reflection

Spiritual Gifts are the benevolence of the Spirit and provided for the unification and advancement of the Kingdom of God. They are talents we are to use to multiply His Kingdom, not bury, hide, or misuse (Matthew 25:14-30, KJV). Each individual is uniquely and intricately woven with specific traits, gifts, and instinctual propensities in the manifestation of their Royal Identity (Psalm 139:13, KJV). This means that each person has the capacity to use their individual specific measure of talent(s) in precise ways, to certain degrees, from a very uniquely individual platforms or roles that God purposed for each person (Philippians 2:13, KJV). Every member has a place, role, function, and purpose in the Body of Christ by Abba’s Design (1 Corinthians 12:12-27, KJV). There are endless venues by which the Spirit can inspire the manifestation, using, and contributing of one’s gifts. God is the Master Creator with the Grandest imagination and we know from His Mouth we are made to reflect the Image of God (Genesis 1:26, John 1:3, KJV). As one of His Original Masterpieces, He has intricately woven various talents, gifts, capacities into my very blueprint to bring Him glory (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13, KJV).

I self-administered an online survey called Discover Your Gifts. Before sharing my thoughts and responses to the survey from my personal perspective, I would say that I believe that regardless of the end results of this survey, individuals go through different seasons where one gift is more prominent than another. For example, a person may be dealing with some inner issues that requires big faith, and the Spirit supernaturally supplies this increase for the season one needs. Another way the Spirit moves is when He urges you to accomplish something for the Kingdom, such as laying on of hands to heal the sick. This may be a seasonal or situational gift. Every believer, if they choose to be an open and willing vessel, can experience a wide variety of the gifts of the Spirit, as He wills. Yet we do know that we are all given Spiritual gifts that equip each member to fulfill the Purposes and position in the Body designed just for him or her.

According to the “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts!” survey, I scored high on several points. There are only four that I scored 16 or below. It is difficult for me to compute the various areas in which God has willed for me to walk in. I am still trying to learn what they are and how all of the gifts work in and through me. The survey identified my strongest gift to be Prophecy, scoring a 23. This is followed with Knowledge and Faith, scoring both at 21. Wisdom scored at 20, Shepherding and Evangelism at 19, Leadership, Discernment, Teaching, and Service at 18, Administration and Mercy at 17, Evangelism and Exhortation scored at 16. My weakest scores are listed for Giving scoring 14, and Hospitality scoring 7.

Taking this list from the top down I will say that I was quite taken off guard that Prophesy was what I scored the strongest in in this season in my life. I do believe that this is a gift that has been given me for my life’s purpose, but the intensity of this flow depends upon the Spirit and my ability to be open and receptive, willing to use it when and where the Spirit leads. I should not be so surprised as I have always been outspoken, not concerned with opening my mouth to edify and bring Truth to others. I am passionate about seeking and applying Truth because I know this is the ONLY Way to live a Life of freedom in Christ. Many people I’ve known are vexed by this gift as it is my goal to be ready in and out of season, to speak the Word, promote Truth, and encourage perspective shifts that line an individual’s spiritual and thought life with the Word (2 Timothy 4:2-4, KJV). This is both a strength and a weakness as I am learning how to rightly use the gift of boldness to promote the Kingdom rather than emotionally puke on people. As this is already gradually manifesting into the natural, the gift of boldly proclaiming the Gospel is active through me. It is amazing to notice this begin to manifest as my children spiritually mature, as well as those who choose to heed the Word spoken through me.

Faith and Knowledge gifts were scored equally. Faith has been something that I did not realize was so active and one that I still know and believe that I have much room for growth. As I continue seeking and deepening my walk with the Lord, I am learning deeper levels of trust in His Word and becoming more sensitive to how He speaks to me personally, as each person has their own relationship language, uniquely individual, like a fingerprint. Whatever degree or measure of faith I have is first willed by the Spirit and the strengthening is a natural by-product of having a real and deeply intimate relationship with Jesus. While I still do not see myself as being where I would like in faith, I know that this gift will continue to increase with use, like a muscle.

The gift of Knowledge has always been very active. Even in my ‘human only’ mentality prior to my adult conversion, I have a hunger for knowledge, learning, depth of understanding beyond the ‘surface’, and sharing what I learn with others in hopes that they may find some benefit. I experience a specific degree of Joy from sharing Truth with others. This Joy is unspeakable and as I am writing I realize that this also works to confirm and increase my Faith gift. It would seem that walking in the gifts of the Spirit work to increase one another. This also leads me to the gift of Wisdom which is noted as a strength as well, just under my score for Knowledge. These often seem to go hand in hand as well. For the edification and correction, promotion of unity and maturity of the Body as a whole and on an individual level as well. I often have an impression or a Word for someone that impacts the person in a way that I could never humanly determine as I allow the Spirit to flow freely. It seems instinctual when this impression arises. It has also occurred that I find later that the Word that was spoken to the individual influences that person significantly and deeply. While this is not always the result, it is very spiritually confirming as the Spirit leads and I learn to follow.

The least strengths, according to the survey, are Giving and Hospitality. I am aware of my need for privacy. I consider my home my personal space, the place where I can find solace, safety from the constant that is life. I have also considered the impact of having various individuals in your home camp. Our family has definitely dealt with plenty of Spiritual warfare. I have learned that maintaining home boundaries are vital for personal growth and maturity as well. We are all susceptible to the spiritual issues of others, especially those that are evil and demonic. While not all will understand, I have experienced the impact over and over by being exposed to those things that are attached to others. It is like some sort of transference occurs and I feel disrupted in a way that sometime affects my attitude. Im learning the signs as I believe that these are indicators of how to pray for others. The issue I seem to run into is that the understanding and realization of the type and intensity and effects mostly do not manifest until after contact. It would seem as if I am very vulnerable to the issues of others in ways that I am still unaware. My desire is to become so sensitive to these things that I am able to identify and bind the power of the spiritual attacks before they negatively impact me and my family as well as stand in the gap for the person from which this came. I feel so strongly that my home is my resting place, the place God provided to refresh my spirit. I am particular whom and what I allow in my home boundaries.

I am also under the impression that when I took the survey, I was focused on the monetary giving aspect, so this is the perspective from which I answered. After some thought and through the writing of this paper, I believe that I would score much higher in light of my Joy, passion, and desire to give others Hope and Truth, so they can experience the freedom only found in Christ. I love to share knowledge and understanding. I enjoy feeding people, both with the Word and with food. I love to provide for my family and for others whom the Lord leads me to bless. In all reality, I would say that my score for giving would be much higher considering the aforementioned reasons.

I am encouraged to see and know that these gifts are working in and through me in such a capacity as to be noticeable. There is so much room for growth and learning to rightly apply these gifts. However, the desire, motivation, and the intentional pairing of faith and works will continue to allow the Spirit to work in me. I have full confidence that the work He began, He will continue to the coming of Christ (Philippians 1:6, KJV).

I would recommend taking discovering what this assessment can reveal for you.

Be blessed and grow in the gifts of the Spirit!