Discover the vital connection between natural talents and spiritual gifts. Learn why operating outside of your God-given gift can lead to burnout and how knowing your calling empowers you to endure and thrive.
đź“– Keys to Unlocking Your Destiny Blog Series
In the first episode of our series on the keys to unlocking your destiny, we began by exploring the foundations of purpose — and one of the key elements we introduced was talent. Talent is one of the qualities that makes each human being unique.
Now, as we go deeper in this journey, it becomes essential to draw a clear distinction between two concepts that are often misunderstood — even within the Church: natural talents and spiritual gifts.
These two are not the same — and misinterpreting them can hinder how we walk in our God-given destiny.
Natural Talents and Spiritual Gifts: A Biblical Distinction
👉 Watch the sermon by TB Joshua on this truth: “The Misinterpretation of Natural Talents as Spiritual Gifts“.
Many unbelievers possess extraordinary natural talents — they can sing, design, invent, lead, and build with excellence. Talent is a natural ability; it’s part of human design.
"I am sending you Huram-Abi, a man of great skill, 14 whose mother was from Dan and whose father was from Tyre. He is trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him. He will work with your skilled workers and with those of my lord, David your father."
2 Chronicles 2:13-14
Christians, just like anyone else, also have natural talents. But natural talent should never be confused with a spiritual gift.
It is biblically incorrect to say, “My spiritual gift is repairing cars,” or “My gift is playing football.” These are talents — they are not the gifts of the Spirit or spiritual gifts.
While a person may have a remarkable ability to build houses, fix machinery, or play music, these are not spiritual gifts according to Scripture. They are valuable — yes — but they are natural, not spiritual.
Keys to Unlocking your Destiny: What Makes Spiritual Gifts Different?
Spiritual gifts are divinely given by the Holy Spirit. They are not inherited through DNA or developed through education or practice — they are imparted by God to His people for one purpose: to serve and edify the body of Christ.
📖 1 Corinthians 12:7–11 outlines several spiritual gifts:
- The word of wisdom
- The word of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healing
- Miraculous powers
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Speaking in tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
These are spiritual gifts and not natural talents that empower believers to fulfill their calling in God’s strength, not their own.
You cannot speak for God, run for God, preach or minister without the Spirit of God.
This is why spiritual gifts matter — because they enable the believer to operate under divine authority, not just human ability.
Possessing a spiritual gift is essential to your walk with the Lord. Your spiritual gift is not separate from your calling — it is your calling.
If you don’t know your calling, or if you try to function without the spiritual gift God has given you, the weight of the assignment will become unbearable.
The pressure, resistance, and challenges will push you to the extreme — to the point where giving up feels like the only option. This is why it’s so important to walk in what God has equipped you for, not just what looks good or feels right.
👉 Watch the sermon by TB Joshua on this truth: “How to Know your Destiny?“.
Natural Talents and Spiritual Gifts: The Danger of Misinterpretation
In today’s society, many Christians are attempting to serve God with their natural talents alone, not recognizing the need for spiritual empowerment.
The fruit of the Spirit defines what a Christian is.
The gifts of the Spirit define what a Christian does.
Until we make this distinction clear, we will continue to serve God with our own strength, rather than with His power.
So What’s the Takeaway?
✔️ Natural talents are good — they are part of how God designed you. Use them. Dedicate them to the Lord.
✔️ Spiritual gifts are essential — they are how God works through you. Discover them. Pursue them. Yield to them.
Final Word: Discern the Source
Discretion is a human ability — we can teach, choose, decide, and act with our minds. But true spiritual impact requires divine direction — only the Holy Spirit has the power of choice. When He chooses to work through you with a spiritual gift, it’s not for your glory — it’s for His purpose.
“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides…”
1 Peter 4:11
Let us not confuse what is natural with what is supernatural. Let us not serve God with mere talent, when we have access to divine gifts.
You were born with talent.
You were born again with spiritual gifts.
Use both — but know the difference.
👉 Stay tuned for Episode 3 on the keys to unlocking your destiny, where we explore how to know and function in your calling. Don’t miss it — this will address the pressing questions you’ve been carrying in your heart and mind.
👉 Missed Episode 1?
Read it and begin your journey of living with the Holy Spirit daily.