Are They Natural or Spiritual Gifts?
Many wonder about the difference between a natural talent and a spiritual gift. Does God just change our natural abilities or tendencies into spiritual gifts when we become Christians? No. A spiritual gift is the endowment of a special ability for service given by the Holy Spirit upon a member of the body of Christ. There are similarities, but spiritual gifts are different than natural talents.
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| Natural Talents; Inclinations | Spiritual Gifts |
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Source: | from God; from the time you are born | from God; from the time you are born again |
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Purpose: | for your benefit; the good of others | for the common good of the church body (1Cor 12:7) |
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Process: | must be recognized, developed, and practiced | must be recognized, developed, and practiced |
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Goal: | to glorify God; provide livelihood; joy | to glorify God; serve and mature the church body (Eph 4:13) |
Certainly God uses natural abilities or tendencies for His glory and to serve the church as well. While, for example, a person may be a gifted teacher (saved or unsaved) there is nevertheless the spiritual gift of teaching given by the Holy Spirit for service in the local body.
There are several other natural abilities or personality traits which add to the confusion. A strong case that they are spiritual gifts can be made for some; less of a case for others. Here are a few of them.
