I Corinthians 12: 4-11
Now Paul is getting into the gifts themselves.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
There are diversities of effects and operations, but it is the same God who works all things in all persons.
He says that there are many different gifts and ministries and programs that the church is to engage in, but it's all the same Spirit, the same Lord Jesus, and the same God the Father who are working it all out for everybody. He is still in charge.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
And whatever the Spirit gives to each person, it is for the benefit of everyone, not just himself or his little group.
Now he's going to name some of the gifts.
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
One person will be given the ability to see how all the parts fit together to make the right decision.
and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
Another person will be able to understand the facts according to God's Word to ascertain what God is saying to the church.
to another faith by the same Spirit,
This faith is an extraordinary trust in God to do extraordinary things, without wavering.
and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
To lay on hands or speak a word, or otherwise effect the healing of sickness and disease by supernatural means.
and to another the working of miracles,
Doing supernatural things that draw attention to God and His Love.
and to another prophecy,
This can be foretelling future events before they happen, or giving a divinely inspired instruction or exhortation.
and to another the discerning of spirits,
This is judicial estimation of spirits, whether they are good or evil.
to another various kinds of tongues,
Another person would receive the ability to speak in languages they have never learned; the way Paul was able to preach to people everywhere in the World, no matter what language they spoke.
and to another the interpretation of tongues.
And another person would be able to translate these foreign languages into the tongue of the people present in the church service.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
God's Spirit gives whatever gifts He determines each person needs to have to perform the work He planned for him to do for the furtherance of the Gospel. Each believer receives a spiritual gift when God saves him, and everyone gets their own gifts. No one gift is given to everyone indiscriminately.
Each child of God is given at least one spiritual gift to use to bless and help one another. The gifts are for the betterment of the whole church, not just the one who has the gift. We are to build up the church, and let those in the church build one another up. We are not to build ourselves up with God's spiritual gifts.
O my Father, please help Your children to understand about the gifts You give to each of us. Teach us how to use these gifts to build up and benefit others of our sisters and brothers in the Lord.
Father, please banish the controversies concerning Your gifts of Your Spirit, so that we will not argue or debate the practice of these abilities You give us.
Teach us how to use these abilities so that we will practice them in helping one another according to Your will, Father, Your plan that You are fulfilling in and through us as Your agents, Your witnesses, Your family.
Strengthen us to accomplish all You have desired, and take pleasure in our work for You. That every living person will be able to hear Your Good News with sufficient understanding to make an informed decision to accept or reject Your gracious Love.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
