Today we learn about the different gifts of the Spirit, as well as the sovereignty of the Spirit - “He alone decides which gift each person should have” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Let’s read:
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have”
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Question 1. 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that “a spiritual gift is given to each of us.” What is your spiritual gift? Please share.
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It is essential to understand that each believer receives a spiritual gift "so we can help each other." Spiritual gifts are not given to puff up individuals, making them feel more important. No, the Holy Spirit provides each believer with a gift for the building up of the body. Our spiritual gifts help us serve each other.
One receives "the ability to give wise advice" (vs. 8), that is, the gift of wisdom. It is a precious and essential gift that can help a local body of believers tremendously. Think of those who can readily see how to apply God's Word to hurting hearts or situations that feel complicated. Wisdom is such a valuable help to everyone in the body.
Yet the one with wisdom is not to start thinking how wonderful they are to be so wise, but instead to be grateful that they can help others with the gift the Spirit has given. The one with wisdom has taken God at His word: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (James 1:5).
Similarly, the Spirit gives the gift of knowledge (vs. 8) to whom He chooses. The knowledgeable person shares what they know for the purpose of helping others. People frequently take notes when those with knowledge speak. Yet the knowledgeable one must live in humility with the rest of the body, remembering that their gift is just one among many, and God's Spirit gives all spiritual gifts to help others.
The Spirit gives the gift of extraordinary faith to some in the body (vs. 9). We meet these people, and they testify boldly to the power of the cross. It seems they receive miraculous answers to all their prayers, that they are moving mountains, conquering kingdoms, and turning all their weaknesses into strength, all by faith! Yet their faith is a gift from God, not to dazzle people, but to bless and build up the body of Christ.
Also, those who receive the gift of healing (vs. 9) can see problems in the human body and call out to God to heal and restore. What a gift! What a blessing! And yet, are they superior to others who don't have the gift of healing? No, they have received their gift from the Spirit; they should use their gift for God's glory and the good of the church body.
The Spirit also gives the gifts of working miracles, prophesying (speaking the Word boldly), discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpreting for those who speak in unknown languages (1 Corinthians 12:10-11). These are all gifts the Spirit gives to build up the body. Useful gifts, necessary gifts, blessings to the body, but none is given to exalt any individual.
“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Look at how using spiritual gifts within the body of Christ is such a beautiful illustration of the gospel itself: Jesus humbled Himself unto death to purchase your pardon, to bless you with salvation, to give you eternal life, and to lift you up to heaven. Likewise, as we humble ourselves to the death of all pride, the death of any superiority, and use our gifts, we lift others up, building one another up in love. That’s one of the ways that we live and grow in the gospel.
Question 2. From what you’ve studied today, how does the use of spiritual gifts within the church body illustrate the gospel of Jesus Christ?
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