Another one for us. Stay blessed.
*Text: 1 Cor. 12: 4-6*
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all" NKJV.
We all know that pride is a dangerous thing. It causes damage to others and leads to division and bitterness. But, do you know what is even worse than pride? Spiritual pride. Brethren, God has given each of us spiritual gifts that we can use for the benefit of the body of Christ. Unfortunately, it can be easy to begin thinking it was our power to begin with. Many today who are gifted with spiritual gifts parade themselves as though they are the source of the gift or as though they are better than others who do not manifest any particular gift. Some regard themselves as authorities in their own right and find it difficult to submit to others, including the authorities that God has placed over them. Those who put up this type of attitude end up abusing God’s gift in their life. They attempt to claim credit for the gift and the benefits connected with the gift. They take the glory that should go to God through the operation of the gift upon themselves and portray themselves as though they are ones operating the gift.
This however should not be so. Let me remind us that just like salvation is a gift from God and not by works, the same is true with our gifts. Spiritual gifts are from God, through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit distribute the gifts as He deems fit, He decides who gets what and His also the one behind the operation of the gift. So we have no hand in it whatsoever. Whatever good we accomplish with the gifts, it is not us but God that should take the glory for it, we are not to take such glory for ourselves, to do so is to place ourselves on the war path with God.
God does not show favoritism, His gifts are available to all who desire and sincerely seek Him for them. However when we receive the gift, we should desist from acting in such a way that will make God to be sorry for giving us the gifts in the first place.
Each spiritual gift is just that, a gift. It was given from a loving God who desires to equip you and me to share the Gospel with a hurting world. If we begin thinking we are the source of that power, we can be a hindrance to the Kingdom as well as our own spiritual growth. Shalom
Prayer Points
1. Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit. Thank You for His work in my life.
2. Father, please forgive me for the sin of pride as a result of the manifestation of your gift in my life, forgive me also for every wrong use of your gift in my life in Jesus name
3. Father, help me to continue to use the gifts You have given me for Your glory and not my own.
4. I praise You for Your forgiveness and love and pray for opportunities to share Your Gospel with the world. In Jesus' name. Amen.
5. Father I rededicate myself to you and I ask for a fresh grace to continue to rightly operate your gifts in my life for the edification of the church in Jesus name. Amen
See you next time guys
Spritual pride has been the cause of many great men and women of God not getting to the position God has for them. And what makes it more dangerous is the fact that if care is not taken you can only decover it when you have gone deep