Spiritual gifts are for using inside the church. It is meant to edify the church, make it better -- build it up. A spiritual gift is not a talent (thought that is from God too). And it is not a spiritual fruit. A spiritual gift is not a title. It is a CHARISIMA (grace) from God.
Spiritual gifts need to be used. If we don't use what God gave us, we all suffer. The Church/We rely on each other. Don't hold back with the gift God gave you.
If you believe, you receive a gift.
"4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
Everyone has a spiritual gift from God.
4 "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;" Romans 12:4-7
8 "To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines." 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
11 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13
Our ultimate goal -- maturity in Christ. We should be growing as a church. Everyone has a gift.
6 "There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:6-7
Exercise your gift -- pump it up!
Spiritual gifts need to be used, developed, strengthened to be fully effective. Read the word. Read the world. Read the world.
In Acts there are examples of people using their spiritual gifts: Peter, James, Paul, Barnabas, Stephen, Priscilla and Aquilla; John, Philip, Ananias.
Spiritual Gift Development:
Pray for direction -- listen for the answer.
Be prepared -- put me in the game, Coach!
Always be self-evaluating; working at getting better at using your gift.
Get excited to have the opportunity for it to be used.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 1:6
Each of us is important. Be ready to use your gift. Yet, love comes first. Always.
"If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Use the gifts to love each other.
"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38