Proud to Be HumbleSample

PROUD TO BE SPIRITUAL

Amongst believers, spiritual gifts can lead to greater positions in ministry than anything else. Think about prophetic or healing ministries attended by crowds from across the globe. The majority of great ministries today are known by the anointed leader. Ministries make great efforts to ensure the leader's name, photo, and reputation invite people. I can almost hear a game show buzzer go off with a red light flashing… Pride trap!

The corruption of spiritual gifts is nothing new. In Acts 8, we read of a newly baptized believer willing to pay good money for some spiritual gifts. Simon's intentions may even seem to be in line with the Great Commission. "'Let me have this power, too,' he exclaimed, 'so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!'" (Acts 8:19 NLT) I am not so sure his motives were pure. Imagine the possible return on his investment when people started showing up!

What happened with Simon is not as extreme as we would like to think. What would happen to any famous evangelist if the Holy Spirit decides to hold back on his gift for a while? There would probably be terrible humiliation and financial ruin. Not to mention some followers giving up the whole Christianity idea altogether. I think souls lost due to such prideful behavior in ministry will be very difficult to account for with God one day. "'On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.''" (Matthew 7:22-23 NLT)

Which spiritual gifts have the Holy Spirit given you? How do you go about blessing others with your gifts?

Let us use our spiritual gifts humbly to the glory of God. I pray people will experience love as we touch them through our gifts. "Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! (1 Corinthians 13:8 NLT)