Principles of the Kingdom (God's Success Principles)

“As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.”

                                           --I Peter 4:10a

In the previous chapter, I mentioned discovering our talents and Spiritual gifts through prayer. An awareness of our gifts and talents should further define and solidify our purpose.   But how do we know what our gifts are? In Romans 12:1 the apostle urges believers to "(by the mercy of God).present your bodies to god a living sacrifice... and be not conformed to the world, but be transformed, that you might prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God."   He then tells us to "think soberly, according as God has given to every man, the measure of faith." He then goes on to talk about various Spiritual gifts. So, the first step, after accepting the gift of salvation is to present yourself to God for His use. Then don't be conformed to the world system but renew your mind through reading His word, the Bible. Then, with your mind renewed in the word, prove, or test out what your gifts may be. Try various things and get the advice of others until you find out what it is you are good at and enjoy doing.     These things would comprise your Spiritual gifts or talents What is the difference, you may well ask between talents and Spiritual gifts?   Talents relate to natural abilities while Spiritual gifts are divinely given for Spiritual purposes and are driven primarily by Spiritual motivations. Some Spiritual gifts may develop out of talents For example, you may have a natural talent for writing, but it becomes a Spiritual gift when you are motivated by the Holy Spirit to use your talent to teach other believers or to evangelize the lost.   On the other hand, some Spiritual gifts may be completely independent of natural talents.