What are the 7 spiritual gifts?

You’ve probably heard of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc). Do you know there are 7 spiritual gifts? Think of them like a toolbox God gave you to guide your mind and actions.

Origin in the Bible

The 7 spiritual gifts originate from Isaiah 11:1-3. They are

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;

IsAiah 11:1-3

The 7 Spiritual Gifts

Here’s the complete list of the 7 spiritual gifts.

1. Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere

James 3:17

Wisdom is more than being smart. It is the ability to see things from God’s perspective. A person with wisdom takes the long view of life and focuses on things that truly matter eternally.

• Pause and pray before life choices (You may ask yourself: how do I pray?).
• Seek advice from people you trust and admire spiritually.
• Reflect on the choices you made.

2. Understanding

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

Colossians 1:9

Understanding is grasping the deeper meaning behind words and situations.

• Connect the dots in what happened recently.
• Sense the deeper meaning behind the scriptures you read.
• Reflect on the motives behind your feelings and actions.

Ai Disciplebot is a tool that could help you dig deeper into your Bible studies.

3. Counsel

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8

Counsel is like the Holy Spirit. It is the inner force that nudges you in the right direction.

• Slow down and listen to your inner voice. It tells you what’s right and wrong.
• Does the decision align with your conviction?
• Pray for God’s guidance.

To dive deeper into how to follow the Holy Spirit, check out 7 Ways to Follow the Holy Spirit.

4. Fortitude

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

Fortitude is the inner strength to stay strong when life gets difficult. Some people call it grit.

• When fears and doubts creep in, pray to God for strength.
• You are not alone. God is with you.
• Don’t forget the past victories God has given you.

Haggai was a great example of someone in the Bible who had inner strength. Explore the 3 keys to having inner strength!

5. Knowledge

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Knowledge is not just facts. It is also about knowing God and understanding how He works.

• True knowledge starts with being humble in front of God. Know how little you know.
• Let God shape your thoughts and actions.
• Use knowledge with love.

6. Piety

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

It may not be obvious that piety is in Isaiah 11:3. It is the delight in “He will delight in the fear of the Lord”. Delight in fear is a concept that is perhaps foreign to modern readers.

• Honor God in what you say and do.
• Serve others out of love and God’s command.
• Approach life with humility.

7. Fear of the Lord

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

Acts 9:31

Fear of the Lord isn’t about being afraid and trying to hide from God. It is about approaching God with a deep awe, respect, and wonder. It is to recognize that God is an unfathomable existence to us confined in this temporary physical world.

• Marvel at God’s power and goodness.
• Know our limits and rely on God’s strength.
• Trust God’s plan is for our best.

What’s our biggest fear?