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Spiritual Gift or Natural Talent?

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I wrote in my previous post about the Gifts of the Spirit, and the question came up: How can we tell the difference between a Spiritual gift and a natural talent? I thought that others may wonder about this as well, so I will share what I have learned from my studies.

The Bible does not really discuss or make a list of natural talents (I’m sure such a list would be huge). But, as we previously learned, the spiritual gifts are only found in three of Paul’s letters: Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:7–10, and Ephesians 4:11. The gifts listed in these three passages are the only ones called spiritual gifts in the Bible. This does not mean there could not be more, but only that those mentioned are the only ones verified by the Bible. Those passages alone can help us narrow down the differences between what are gifts and what are talents.

Given versus learned

However, there are other ways to tell them apart. For instance, as with any gift, a spiritual gift cannot be purchased or learned. We cannot take classes to learn a spiritual gift. We cannot become certified in any of the gifts. God gives them to us after we receive the Holy Spirit, and only when they are needed. Talents are abilities given to us at birth or learned throughout life. They exist in our lives because of our genetic makeup or because we chose to study them. We can hone a talent which tend to focus more on technique. Natural abilities make it easier for a person to perfect a talent.

Of course, since you can be born with a talent, or learn and perfect a talent, they depend our our own power and ability. Spiritual gifts, however, have to do with spiritual abilities and depend on God’s power. The Spirit provides them when our natural abilities are not enough.

Difference in their purpose

The biggest difference, though, is their purpose. Natural talents may benefit us personally and can be used (and often are) outside of a relationship with God. In fact, a natural talent is not guaranteed to be used for God. We can use them for any purpose. We can use our talents for God’s glory or personal glory; to lead or to deceive; for good or for evil. But Peter reveals the purpose of spiritual gifts in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Spiritual gifts are given solely for the purpose of serving others. God gives us these gifts so we can distribute His grace to the world.

Paul further explains, in Ephesians 4:12, 13, that the gifts are “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature.” Spiritual gifts are also meant to build each other up spiritually. Their purpose is to increase faith and knowledge of Jesus. This is why the Spirit grants the gift of wisdom, the gift of faith, the gift of tongues, and all of the other gifts. The Gifts of the Spirit are not meant for (and will not be used for) self-promotion or personal gratification.

Both can be used for God

I’m not saying that natural talents are bad and only the spiritual gifts are good. God is the source of our natural abilities as well. And remember, we can use our natural talents for God. Someone born with the natural talent of music may find that God perfects and sanctifies it with the presence of the Holy Spirit. God can bless our abilities when they are used for His glory. Even greater, God may choose to give a spiritual gift to complement a natural talent a person already has. 

Yes, there is a clear difference between a spiritual gift and a natural talent. Basically, if you are a natural at it, it is not a spiritual gift. If you can learn it at a weekend seminar, it is not a spiritual gift. If it only promotes you and is meant to bring you glory, it is not a gift from God’s spirit. Still, even though there is a difference between them, both can be used for God’s glory. That’s the only thing that matters. So, like the Gifts of the Spirit, if you have a natural, God-given talent, use it for God!

Photo by Kira auf der Heide

Spiritual Gifts

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It doesn’t matter the occasion—birthday, anniversary, Christmas, a reward, or “just because”—receiving a gift is usually a joyful experience. Gifts may be given tightly wrapped in fancy paper, in a nice gift bag, with a simple bow, or even simply by “closing your eyes and holding out your hands.” When there are multiple gifts, people often look like they are going through the produce section in the grocery store—poking, prodding, and shaking—hoping to learn a bit about what is hidden inside. Typically, there is excitement surrounding gifts; a delight for both the one receiving and the one giving.

Photo by Jess Watters

It is no surprise to learn that God desires to give us gifts (Luke 11:13)—eternal life itself is a gift! Yet, when God gives to His children, He loves to “open the floodgates.” For example, not only does God give us the gift of the Holy Spirit, but He also provides additional gifts through the Spirit. We call them “spiritual gifts.” Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation about these gifts. So I went back to the Bible, set aside what I thought I knew, and studied about them.

Gifts of the Spirit

Paul writes about them in three of his letters (Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:7–10, and Ephesians 4:11). These are the gifts he mentions: apostleship, prophesying, evangelizing, pastoring, teaching, serving, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others, leadership, showing mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, and tongues and their interpretation. This is quite a list! As gifts, though, none of these can be earned, or purchased, or learned.

The phrase “gifts of the Spirit” helps us to understand that these gifts come to us after we have made a commitment to Christ and have received God’s Spirit. We receive the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit when we are baptized (Acts 2:38). It is after this point that we would expect to receive any further gifts from the Spirit.

Are the gifts reserved only for the leadership of the church or other specially chosen people? Or can we all receive them? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” In Hebrews 2:4 we read that the gifts of the Spirit are “distributed according to His will.” Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” Basically, they are available to everyone but God is the one who decides who gets what.

Finding Your Gift?

How do we go about finding out which one(s) we’ve been given? Some claim that everyone will get the same gift, so we only need to look for one. However, the passages we just read show that God gives out different gifts as He determines. There’s no passage in scripture that says we will all receive the same gift. Besides, a gift is not the evidence of the Spirit in a person’s life, the fruit is.

Others will suggest that we just fill out a questionnaire and hope it will reveal our gifts. While they can be helpful, there is a weakness in those tests: us. We have the ability to test ourselves into a gift. In other words, we can answer the questions based on who we wished we were rather than who we really are. Besides, was that how the early church learned their gifts?

Revealed When Following

We won’t find a formula for a spiritual gifts inventory in the book of Acts. They learned what their gift was by seeing it revealed in their lives. This is because spiritual gifts are revealed in those who are diligently following and obeying Christ. They are given whenever God’s people need to be built up (Ephesians 4:12, 13); whenever people need to grow in faith or in the knowledge of the Son of God. The gifts are given to us to compensate for our inadequacies when we are doing God’s will.

In other words, you must be actively following Jesus to find your gift. You will never learn what your gift is by sitting in a pew—you have to be out working for the Kingdom of Heaven. Then, when you are in a situation where a gift is needed it will show up.

Furthermore, whatever your gift is, you will discover God’s blessing as you use it. A broken heart is encouraged; a sad heart finds hope; a prodigal son returns to Jesus; a seeker begins to understand Biblical truths. Other people will benefit—they’ll grow spiritually—when a gift is used.

According to His wisdom, God will give us a gift as they are needed. We don’t have to have all of the gifts. We don’t all need to have the same gift. But, if God calls us to do something that is beyond our abilities, He will grant us a gift from His Spirit to complete it. Then, as Peter wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received…” (1 Peter 4:10).