It is the Same Spirit that Gives Variety of Spiritual Gifts
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NASB)
12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
SUMMARY
Paul talks about the the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. He says that no one can proclaim Jesus is Lord without the help of the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that the different gifts were given to us is from the same spirit. The various gifts include wisdom, knowledge, faith and healing.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
When I read this passage, it reminded me of the period of transition from being an unbeliever to a believer. I felt like the Holy Spirit was working in my heart and it helped me with my faith. My mentor at the time advised me to pray to God and ask the Holy Spirit to enter my heart and for God to reveal himself to me. Jesus said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10).
I remember I was praying almost every night asking for God to reveal himself to me and then I went through a time of adversity. This was when I needed God the most and depended on him. I experienced the love of God through the church I was going through and my spiritual mentor. Like what Paul said, faith was given to me by the Holy Spirit. My faith grew because I found comfort in God and I had to trust in God’s plan and not lean on my own understanding. For the past few years as a believer, I felt like the Holy Spirit has given me wisdom in many of the decisions I made in my life.
APPLICATION
This passage reminded me that I need to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me by praying and asking God to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Every morning I will create a habit of praying and asking God to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Before my work meetings or before a big decision, I will ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and knowledge. I will be humble before the Lord and ask that the Holy Spirit guide me in everything I do. I will also continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will use me to honor God.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the message about the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts given to us. Show me how I can honor you based on the spiritual gifts given to me and help me focus on you and not the gifts. I pray that the Holy Spirit will build my faith more and more everyday. When I learned about my wife’s friend going on a missionary trip with the entire family after giving up everything, it really questioned my faith and whether I would do the same thing. God, I pray that the Holy Spirit will just use me to serve God only.
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