Spiritual Gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Every one of us is different. God created all of us to be unique. God did not want robots; instead, He wanted individuals so that He may have a personal relationship that is tailored to each one of us. 

Additionally, He has given us all spiritual gifts that are unique to each one of us. 

What has God given you, and what are you doing with those gifts?

____________________
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
_______________________

Here, Paul touches on some spiritual maturity. He says that before we were Christians, we were led astray. But he points out that we were ‘led.’ This means we allow someone to take us by the hand and pull us in a certain direction. It takes an active commitment to submit to being led. He didn’t say that we are stolen away. Paul reminds the readers that their past lives as Gentiles did not prepare them for the understanding and the wisdom of God’s spiritual gifts. The way to gain that understanding is to be actively led by the Holy Spirit, which starts within our hearts. As we progress in our understanding, we also progress in our spiritual maturity. 

Next, Paul points out that there are varieties of gifts, varieties of services (or ministries), and varieties of activities, but there is one constant. That constant is the Divine Trinity. It is the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God who does work through all these areas. When we, as a church body, act in unity, our collective gifts can work together for the glory of God. God has blessed people with certain gifts while blessing others with different ones. I am not someone with great interpersonal skills, but God blessed me with my wife, who compliments the areas where I lack. 

The spiritual gifts given to us have a purpose. We are called to use them for the glory of God. We are to use them to further God’s will in our lives and for those around us. The Holy Spirit is always present within us, and we must ensure we allow the Spirit to guide and lead our hearts. Manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit should only be according to God’s will and not our own. Again, it is essential that we do all things for the glory of God. We must be humble, submit to His will, and draw near to Him. The manifestation of the Spirit should benefit all. It is not for our own benefit or glory. 

However, some churches use spiritual gifts and make it out to be a production or some show. God still uses the spiritual gifts through us, but we must be humble and ensure the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is edifying and for the purpose of all. We must not use them for our own glory because that is pride. I encourage all of us to listen to God and humbly submit to His will so His glory may be exalted through our gifts, thereby furthering the kingdom of God here on earth.