Can a gift be used incorrectly? How would we know?--Spiritual Gifts FAQs

Question:

Can a gift be used incorrectly? How would we know?

Reply:

Yes. We see in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth is pointedly correcting their mis-use of and wrong-valuing spiritual gifts. In addition, we see in passages like Romans 12, 1 Peter 4, Hebrews 13, Colossians 3, and Ephesians 4 instructions for proper use of gifts.

Some of the ways we are told that gifts can be used incorrectly include:

·         Denying that we have a gift or denying the value of our contribution (1 Corinthians 12).

·         Dishonoring, ignoring, or dismissing the gifts of others (1 Corinthians 12).

·         Using our gifts in arrogance instead of humility (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12).

·         Not using our gifts in love (1 Corinthians 13) (including being impatient, unkind, envious, boastful, proud, dishonoring of others, self-seeking, easily angered, keeping score of wrongs, delighting in evil…)

·         Failing to glorify God; not in service to Jesus, our Lord (1 Peter 4; Hebrews 13; Colossians 3).

·         Failing to use them for the good of others (1 Corinthians 14; Ephesians 4).

·         Creating confusion in worship (1 Corinthians 14).

·         With grumbling (1 Peter 4).

·         Poor stewardship (1 Peter 4).

·         In our own strength (1 Peter 4).

Important resources:

• Take this free spiritual gifts assessment or this free Spanish language spiritual gifts assessment.

• Purchase the six-week workbook in English or Spanish:

• God. Gifts. You.: Your Unique Calling and Design 

• DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition)

• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis. 

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