How to Develop or Increase Your Spiritual Gifts

Brothers and sisters, there is a hunger in the house of God for power that is real — not the show of men, but the touch of heaven that changes lives.

Many pray for gifts, many desire signs, but few understand how the Spirit actually grows and increases what He places inside us.

This is not a seminar on techniques; it is a pastoral call to true preparation, obedience and godly work so the gifts God has given you will increase and bear fruit for the kingdom.

How can you develop or increase your spiritual gifts?

To develop or increase your spiritual gifts: pray and fast for God’s help; live in love; serve others sacrificially; preach and proclaim the Word; submit to teaching, laying on of hands and godly oversight; practise the gifts in humility; and cultivate holiness and fullness by continual obedience. These are the principal biblical ways the Spirit uses to increase gifts in a believer.

Below is a concise bullet list of the ways, followed by a careful biblical explanation of each point with scripture references (KJV) and pastoral application so you can put these truths into practice.

Ways to develop or increase your spiritual gifts.

Pray earnestly and fast for the Spirit’s help (prayer + fasting).
Repentance and holiness — a life set apart.
Love and a servant-heart expressed in helping, sharing and mercy (fruit that enlarges gifts).
Preaching, teaching and faithful proclamation of the Word.
Practising the gift in community under oversight — exercise and testing.
Receiving impartation — laying on of hands and apostolic/elderly recognition.
Study and maturity — learn theology, character and doctrine to shape the gift.
Perseverance in discipline: patience, endurance and obedience.
Active obedience to the Spirit’s promptings — immediate response to small nudges.
Fellowship with Spirit-filled believers and being part of a church that expects fruit.

Now let us explain each of these biblically and pastorally.

1. Pray earnestly and fast for the Spirit’s help

The Bible links extraordinary spiritual outcome with prayer and fasting. Jesus taught His disciples that some results come only through prayer and fasting (KJV): “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” — Matthew 17:21 (KJV). When you ask God to increase the gift, your asking must be matched by seeking (James 4:2–3 KJV) and by a posture that shows you mean business with God.

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” — Matthew 17:21 (KJV)

Practical application: set aside regular seasons of focused prayer and fasting specifically asking the Lord to increase whatever gift He has placed in you. Do not treat fasting as a formula; treat it as a posture of dependency that says: “Lord, I cannot do this without You.”

2. Repentance and holiness — a life set apart

Spiritual gifts flourish in vessels that are clean. The New Testament ties gifting to sanctification and obedience. Paul warns that gifts without holiness are dangerous (1 Corinthians 13:1–3 KJV). God’s presence moves where there is repentance and a heart bowing to the Lord.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)

Application: confess sin, remove known stumbling blocks, and pursue daily obedience. The church must be taught that gifts are not an alternative to godly living; they are the fruit of it.

3. Love and a servant-heart — helping, sharing and mercy

Love enlarges gifts. Jesus commanded love as the first commandment; Paul taught that love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12–14). Acts of mercy and sacrificial giving open the heart to the Spirit’s flow. The Macedonians gave beyond their power and in deep poverty, and their grace to give became a channel of blessing (2 Corinthians 8:1–5 KJV).

“For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves.” — 2 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)

Application: increase generosity, serve the poor, and practise hospitality. When you put love into action, the Spirit often confirms and expands the gift through fruit.

4. Preaching, teaching and faithful proclamation of the Word

Gifts are given to build the body (Ephesians 4:11–12 KJV); preaching and teaching sharpen gifts and mature the church. Frequent exposure to the Word shapes the content of prophetic words, the theology behind healings, and the wisdom used in counsel. Paul modelled this—he taught, preached, and in the process his gifts were steadied and multiplied in fruitfulness (Acts and the Epistles).

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…” — Ephesians 4:11–12 (KJV)

Application: make preaching and Scripture-saturated teaching a priority. If you want a gift to grow, feed it on sound doctrine and put it to work in proclamation.

5. Practising the gift in community — exercise and testing

Gifts grow by use. Paul urged the Corinthians to desire to prophesy so the church would be built up (1 Corinthians 14:1,4 KJV). The Spirit strengthens in the context of community. A muscle that is not used wastes; a gift that is not practised with accountability remains small.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV)

Application: ask your leaders for safe, tested opportunities to exercise your gift. Start small, receive correction, and grow in confidence. Do not be reckless, but do not hide the gift either.

6. Receiving impartation — laying on of hands and godly recognition

The New Testament records instances of impartation through the laying on of hands and apostolic presence. Timothy was reminded to stir up the gift by the laying on of Paul’s hands (2 Timothy 1:6 KJV). Impartation is not magic; it is God using faithful elders to release what He has already ordained.

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” — 2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)

Application: submit to elders, ask for prayer and blessing, and receive the apostolic or pastoral commissioning where appropriate.

7. Study and maturity — learning shapes the gift

Even spiritual gifts require knowledge and maturity. A prophetic word needs biblical grounding. A teacher must know the Word deeply. Paul commended Apollos because he knew the Scriptures and taught accurately (Acts 18:24–26 KJV). Learning does not replace dependence, but it prevents error and stabilises growth.

“… an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.” — Acts 18:24 (KJV)

Application: read, study, and be mentored. Grow in character and doctrine so the gift has wisdom to guide it.

8. Perseverance: discipline, patience and endurance

Gifts increase with seasons of waiting and persistence. Paul’s ministry shows long years of labour and trials before full fruit. Spiritual increase is often the fruit of faithfulness through opposition (2 Corinthians 11; Acts). Do not be impatient when growth seems slow.

“…that I may finish my course with joy…” — 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV) (example of a life of perseverance)

Application: set a rhythm, keep serving, and trust God’s timing. The one who endures will see multiplied fruit.

9. Active obedience: respond to small promptings

The Spirit often increases gifts when we respond to small nudges. Samuel heard God’s voice because he was attentive (1 Samuel 3:1–10 KJV). Likewise, every time you obey a small prompting, you position yourself to receive more. Faithfulness in the little opens God’s hand for the much.

“…speak; for thy servant heareth.” — 1 Samuel 3:9 (KJV)

Application: act quickly when you sense God’s voice in ministry — visit the sick, call the discouraged, step into a conversation. Each obedience is a seed for increase.

10. Fellowship with Spirit-filled believers and a church environment that expects fruit

Gifts are contagious in a good sense. When you are among people who are actively using their gifts, your faith rises and your gift warms up. The early church grew together (Acts 2:42–47 KJV); gifts multiplied because believers served one another.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” — Acts 2:42 (KJV)

Application: join a faithful local church, participate in small groups, and seek out seasoned ministers who will encourage and test your gift.

Additional biblical principles that govern increase

A. God gives gifts sovereignly — ask but submit

The Spirit distributes as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11 KJV), yet Jesus taught us to ask the Father for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13 KJV). Pray boldly and expectantly, but remain humble and submit to God’s timing and sovereign will.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” — 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
“How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” — Luke 11:13 (KJV)

B. Desire gifts with love and purpose

Paul urged believers to desire the greater gifts and to pursue love (1 Corinthians 12–14 KJV). Desire is not sinful; it is the fuel — but it must be tethered to love and edification, not pride or selfish ambition.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV)

C. Gifts are stewardships, not trophies

A gift is a responsibility. If you want it increased, steward it with humility. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30 KJV) shows that increase is the result of faithful use.

“…Occupy till I come.” — Matthew 25:13–30 (see Matthew 25:14–30 KJV)

Practical plan — a seven-week pathway to position yourself for increase

Below is a practical, pastoral plan you can follow. Not a formula, but a discipline to prepare your life and church for greater fruit.

Week 1 — Repentance & Preparation: Daily confession, remove known sin, begin a short fast (1–3 days) and commit to fasting prayers.
Week 2 — Word & Study: Read Scripture on your gifting; schedule 3 sessions with a mature teacher for guidance.
Week 3 — Practice in Community: Ask to serve in a controlled setting (small prayer meeting or outreach) and exercise the gift.
Week 4 — Impartation & Commission: Request prayer and the laying on of hands from elders; seek pastoral commissioning.
Week 5 — Serve & Give: Perform a mercy act and give generously; let love activate the gift.
Week 6 — Persevere & Test: Keep serving; invite feedback; record testimonies of what God does.
Week 7 — Evaluate & Multiply: Debrief with leaders, plan to reproduce the gift in others through training and pastoral support.

Common mistakes that stunt growth — avoid these

Seeking gifts for show or personal fame.
Refusing correction or accountability.
Neglecting the Word and doctrinal grounding.
Ignoring personal holiness and prayerlessness.
Using gifts selfishly without love.

Remember: gifts are not rewards for charisma; they are instruments for service. The Spirit increases what is used for God’s glory.

Interlinked reading within this spiritual-gifts series

For context and deeper study, read the main pillar and related articles in this series:

Final pastoral exhortation

Beloved, the Spirit is ready to enlarge what He placed in you. But increase is not automatic. It is the fruit of prayer, holiness, obedience, service and faithful exercise. Do not be anxious if growth is slow — be faithful. Do not be proud when growth comes — be humble. And always do everything in love.

Scripture quoted in this article is taken from the King James Version (KJV).