In many religious circles, spiritual gifts are treated like a reward for extreme spiritual labor. We are told that if we fast long enough, pray loud enough, or become “holy” enough, God might eventually trust us with a gift of healing or a word of knowledge. This performance-based approach is the definition of spiritual toiling. It suggests that the gifts of the Spirit can be earned through the works of the Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the New Covenant, spiritual gifts are exactly what the name implies; gifts<\/strong>. They are not merit badges for the “super-spiritual”; they are the equipment of the family of God, provided entirely by Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New Testament word for spiritual gifts is charisma<\/em>, which comes from the root word charis<\/em>, meaning Grace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Corinthians 12-31 (NKJV) tells us to “earnestly desire the best gifts.” Many people mistake “earnestly desire” for “strenuously strive.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n A major key to activating gifts is shifting your focus from yourself to others. 1 Corinthians 12-7 (NKJV) says: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not wait for a “feeling” or a “goosebump” to activate a spiritual gift. You activate it by faith, just as you received your salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest hindrances to the gifts is the fear of making a mistake. This is a form of legalism that says, “If I’m not 100% accurate, God will be angry.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Activating spiritual gifts is not a matter of “climbing a ladder” to reach God; it is a matter of “opening the faucet” of the Spirit that already abides in you. You are a new creation, and the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. He is not “locked up” behind your performance; He is ready to flow through your faith. Stop striving to be “worthy” of the gifts and start resting in the worthiness of the Lamb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes; the manifestation of the Spirit is given to “each one.” As a member of the Body of Christ, you have a specific function and a specific gift meant to benefit the whole family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, it is because of a lack of revelation or the presence of fear. When you realize that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, the fear of “doing it wrong” disappears, and the gifts can flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fasting does not “move God” to give you more; He already gave you everything in Christ. Fasting helps to “quiet the flesh” so that you can become more aware of the Spirit who is already moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best gift is the one that is needed in the moment to help the person in front of you. If someone is sick, the “best gift” is healing. If they are confused, the “best gift” is a word of wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article is part of a series answering difficult questions about grace and the New Covenant.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In many religious circles, spiritual gifts are treated like a reward for extreme spiritual labor. We are told that if we fast long enough, pray loud enough, or become “holy” enough, God might eventually trust us with a gift of healing or a word of knowledge. This performance-based approach is the definition of spiritual toiling. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1938,"featured_media":48026,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[136],"class_list":["post-48116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-grace"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/How-to-Desire-and-Activate-Spiritual-Gifts-Without-Striving.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1938"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48116\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leondupreez.com\/partner\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}1. Understand the Source: Charisma vs. Karma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
2. Desire Earnestly, but Rest Completely<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
3. Realize the Purpose: Profit for All<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
4. Activate by Faith, Not by Feelings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
5. Stop Managing the Holy Spirit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can anyone have spiritual gifts?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why haven’t I seen any gifts in my life yet?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do I need to fast to get spiritual power?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is there a “best” gift?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n