(Galatians 5:22-26, 1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 5:8-21, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Romans 12:3-21)
Gal 5:22-26 KJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Spiritual gift is a great grace and empowerment to do greater things. Nevertheless, using it to do “greater things” with the leading of the flesh may be very destructive to the bearer of the sword. Wielding the gift of the Holy Spirit without the fruit of the Holy Spirit is dangerous and not profitable.
Sometimes we try to measure our faithfulness and spiritual growth by the magnitude of the gifts we manifest. We do this, thinking that the gifts of the Spirit are earned. The gifts of the Spirit are given by Christ’s grace and mercy. They are given to enhance our spiritual growth and faithfulness in the journey of faith. They are for us to bear much more fruits, edifying others. Let us use every gift given to us to produce good fruits.
Act 10:38 KJV How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Christ went about “doing good”. In John 4, the Lord Jesus revealed some things to the Samaritan woman in other to save her and not to prove that the Jews were superior. These are excellent examples for us to follow. Let the gift of healing be used such that it demonstrates God’s unfailing love. Let the word of wisdom and knowledge be used to make known God’s purpose for his people as we see in Joseph, David, and Daniel.
After astounding miracle, Peter said, (Acts 3:12-13 KJV) 12 “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.”
Do not use the gift of faith to demean others but to encourage them into Christ’s purpose. When we study God’s Holy Word with open heart, we will keep encountering many biblical saints who allowed the Holy Spirit to use the spiritual gifts in them for good works – for edification, exhortation and comforting others.
Rom 12:3 KJV For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Prayer Points
1) Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your abundant grace.
2) Lord, we thank You for all the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on us.
3) May we do good works and bear good fruits abundantly with the gift of the Spirit given to us, in Jesus name.
4) Lord, give us the deep understanding of the fruits of the Spirit as they are related to Your gifts in us, in Jesus name.
5) Lord, may I not act against all that You teach me, in Jesus name.
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