The Use Of Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NKJV)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: {2} You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. {3} Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. {4} There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. {5} There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. {6} And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. {7} But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: {8} for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, {9} to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, {10} to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Notice in verse seven above that these gifts were distributed to individuals for the profit of all. Rarely, if ever, do we see where a single individual is profited by spiritual gifts. Try to think of all the times that Jesus performed miracles in private. How many miracles were kept secret? The use of miraculous gifts had a purpose. In the case of the Corinthians, it was to build up all of the Christians at that location. Miracles were used throughout biblical history to prove that the actions were from God or approved by God. Miracles were shown to confirm that the people who were speaking, were speaking for God. A person was never benefited by miracles that others did not take note of.

Romans 12:3-8 (NKJV)
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. {4} For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, {5} so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. {6} Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; {7} or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; {8} he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Once again, notice in verse six that these gifts were given to them. If these gifts were given, they were given to be used. Those people did not or could not suppress the works of the spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (NKJV)
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? {30} Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? {31} But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Like I said earlier, these were placed in the Church for the growth and development of all Christians. Even they were told that there would be differences when the church would have developed to its maturity.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, {12} for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Notice in verse twelve that the purpose is given. In simple language, the saints were given the tools necessary to do God's work. We might be handed a bible and told that this is our rule book. We might have study aids to allow us to better understand the meaning of scriptures. We also have many tools available to us. Sometimes these tools are our own abilities and our own desire to please God and do His will.

Hebrews 2:4 (NKJV)
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

This says that the Holy Spirit gives according to His own will. Like we said earlier, the Holy Spirit was giving what was needed when it was needed. A person who is very capable of doing something does not need to be taught how to do that thing. Once they reached a certain level, the responsibilities that were given to them increased. We should always be working hard to reach a higher level of responsibility in God's kingdom.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. {11} If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

"that in all things God may be glorified...". This is the very reason for our existence in the Body of Christ. This is the reason we obey God. This is the reason we keep His commandments, His way. Our very purpose in life has to be and must be to bring glory to God. We do this when we obey Him. We do this when we cause others to obey God. Jesus talked about our light in Matthew 5:16 as being the guide to show others how to glorify God. God deserves this glory. We must do all that we can to see that He receives it.

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NKJV)
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

There are just a few places in the new testament that describe the use of spiritual gifts. A person who studies well and learns the New Testament in a chronological order will notice a trend. For the books that were written in the earlier days of the church, we find the need and the use of these miraculous gifts. As time goes by, we see that the books written later make less reference to these gifts and even speaks of them in the past tense. Paul said that they would cease, "when that which is perfect comes" (1 Cor 13:10).

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