We are entering the home stretch of our FAQ’s on spiritual gifts now, and I think I’ll be able to combine some together so we can get into the heart f the study a little more quickly; I’m rarin’ to go! OK, let’s talk about danger…

As with almost anything, there is a potential for things to go awry in the area of spiritual gifts, so the answer to the question is “yes.” Consider these 7 possibilities:

1. Coveting a particular spiritual gift

Sometimes a person might so desire a particular gift that they find themselves in a covetous frame of mind.  If you covet a gift, it is as though you are saying that God’s plan for you isn’t good enough; it’s akin to saying that you could do a better job of things than God, and this is a disastrous spiritual condition!

2. Assuming an attitude of spiritual superiority

This is a case in which you have the attitude that you and your gift are better than someone else and their gift.  For example, let’s say you have the gift of teaching and your brother has the gift of service.  You have the idea that you are superior to your brother, because you are up front teaching everyone great truths and your brother is sweeping the floor and taking out the trash.  In truth, with this attitude you’re going to be a lousy teacher because you’ve missed one of those great truths you’re supposed to be teaching: humility.  Remember what Paul said: “Can any one part of the body look at the other and say, ‘I have no need of you?’”

3. Neglecting your gift

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14)

There are two ramifications when you neglect your gift

The body of Christ suffers

The great commission is hindered

Both of these are in complete opposition to the purpose for which the gift was given in the first place.

4. Focusing more on the gift than on its ministry application

This is a condition in which people are too focused on their gift and not on what it’s for.  An example would be a person focusing on how much money they have in the bank and not looking for opportunities to use it to glorify God.

5. Becoming legalistic in how gifts should operate… and even on what they are

It is important that we not become too narrow on what the gifts are or how they are manifested.  God did not give us spiritual gifts so that theologians would have something else to argue about and create disunity in the Body of Christ; He gave us spiritual gifts to build the Body up… not to tear it down. Frankly speaking, this particular danger area is one of the most common!

6. Bringing attention to yourself rather than to God

This happens when you lose track of the goal: Glorify God! Here’s a sad example: I have a preacher-friend who has a hard time being focused on what his preaching is supposed to accomplish, and he is very accomplished. Yet his preaching doesn’t produce the response one might expect, can you guess why? My friend struggles with a fundamental problem; he thinks he is the star of the show and thus even though he preaches brilliantly and is clearly gifted in his ministry, the truth he teaches rings hollow for those who really him; his focus is on the wrong person.

7. Hiding behind your gift

Someone comes to you and asks you for help in the nursery.  You say, “Sorry, that’s not my gift.  I have the gift of faith and I believe you’ll find someone else.”  We must not hide behind our gifts.  There are times when we just need to help out, and this is especially true with short-term commitments. Remember the last post, the one about responsibility? I bet you can see how that question and this point go together!

Tomorrow morning, we’ll finish up the FAQ’s, and then in the afternoon, I’ll list all of the gifts that we’ll discuss in detail for rest of this study; I can’t wait!