1 Corinthians 12
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I was recently challenged in my devotional time to truly consider the spiritual gifts that I have received, and also how I use those gifts. Often the gifts were with us before we knew the redemption of Jesus, and in his redemptive love we find a new meaning and new use for the gifts we have been given.
My spiritual gifts are Faith, leadership, and serving
I am ashamed to say that I have used leadership positions and positions of service for others to gain acceptance of my peers. I have also however used the immense amount of faith given to me in order to encourage others who were struggling and had no faith of their own left.
I am still praying for guidance on what my calling is from the Lord, but I know that it will combine my leadership qualities, my love for nature, and my desire to help and serve people desperate for the love of God. I also know that it will take a lot of faith in times of uncertainty to accomplish it.
Please feel free to share any insight you have on spiritual gifts.
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I was recently challenged in my devotional time to truly consider the spiritual gifts that I have received, and also how I use those gifts. Often the gifts were with us before we knew the redemption of Jesus, and in his redemptive love we find a new meaning and new use for the gifts we have been given.
- First off I challenge you to find your spiritual gifts if you have not already. You can do so by looking at the list in 1 Corinthians 12 and reflecting, or you can use the below link to take a test that will help shed light on your God given gifts. There are other tests available if you would rather, just try a engine search.
My spiritual gifts are Faith, leadership, and serving
- Secondarily I would urge you to consider how you have used your God given talents. Think not only of how you have used your talents to serve God and others but maybe of times when you used your gifts to serve yourself. Have you used your gifts of shepherding to convince someone to do something that they were opposed to because it helped you? Or have you possibly used a leadership position to gain social standing and power for yourself?
I am ashamed to say that I have used leadership positions and positions of service for others to gain acceptance of my peers. I have also however used the immense amount of faith given to me in order to encourage others who were struggling and had no faith of their own left.
- Finally, I encourage you to think on how your talents can best serve the Lord and make a plan to put your talents to the work of the Lord.
I am still praying for guidance on what my calling is from the Lord, but I know that it will combine my leadership qualities, my love for nature, and my desire to help and serve people desperate for the love of God. I also know that it will take a lot of faith in times of uncertainty to accomplish it.
Please feel free to share any insight you have on spiritual gifts.
