Why the church is weak without your spiritual gift …

Somewhere along the way, the modern church lost sight of something significant, something that was second nature to the early Christians. Spiritual gifts were not just a topic of curiosity; they were important for the church’s function and growth. Today, most believers remain unaware of their spiritual gifts, let alone how to use them in service to the body of Christ. The consequences of this neglect are far-reaching, not just for individual believers but for the entire church.

Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 12 that every believer has been given a spiritual gift, and these gifts are not meant to be ignored. He writes, “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have,” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

No one is left out. No believer is without a role. The Holy Spirit Himself determines what gift you receive, and that gift is given for a purpose: to build up and strengthen the church.

What do you picture when you think of a church service? Most Christians today envision a stage, a sermon, and an audience. But in the early church, believers gathered in a way that emphasized mutual edification. 1 Corinthians 14:26 gives us a glimpse of their gatherings: “Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you,” 1 Corinthians 14:26.

Church was never meant to be a spectator event. Paul describes a dynamic environment where every believer actively participated in strengthening and encouraging one another through the use of their gifts.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians explains that the church’s growth is directly tied to every believer using their gift in service. He writes, “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love,” Ephesians 4:16.

Did you catch that? When each person does their part, the whole church grows and thrives. But when believers neglect their gifts, the church remains weak, immature, and ineffective. If you are not using your spiritual gift, the body of Christ is incomplete.

If spiritual gifts are so important, why do so many Christians not know what their gift is? Part of the problem is that few churches actively teach about them or help believers discover them. But Scripture makes it clear that discovering and using your gift is not optional—it is important to the body of Christ. Here’s how you can start:

Study the Word and identify biblical examples – The Bible provides numerous examples of spiritual gifts in action. Study passages like Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, and Ephesians 4:11-16 to understand how gifts function within the church.

Pray and seek direction from God – James 1:5 reminds us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Ask God to reveal your gifting through prayer, fasting, and seeking His will.

Evaluate how God has already used you – Often, your spiritual gift aligns with how God has already worked through you. Think about past experiences where you felt particularly effective in encouraging, teaching, serving, or ministering to others.

Take initiative and step into ministry – Many gifts are best discovered through active service. Try different areas of ministry within your church, and over time, God will confirm where you are most effective.

Seek wise counsel and discipleship – Mature believers and your spiritual leaders can help confirm your gifting. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

Be patient and grow in your gift – Spiritual gifts are not just discovered; they are developed. Paul told Timothy, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress,” 1 Timothy 4:14-15.

The idea that only pastors or leaders have ministry roles is completely unbiblical. Every believer has been given a spiritual gift, and the church needs you to use yours. If you have been sitting on the sidelines, it’s time to step up. The early church flourished because every believer contributed. The modern church can regain greater spiritual vitality when we return to that biblical model. Will you take your place in the body of Christ?

Scotty