1 Corinthians 12.  The Corinthians used the spiritual gifts manifested among themselves as a measurement of who should be followed and who should be shunned.  Ministry became a means of perpetuating division. Some preferred the speaking gifts, others rallied behind healers.  Some preferred prophets, others opted for those who could distinguish what was going on in the spirit world.  The gifts were being used like the idols that the believers had forsaken to follow Christ.  One was pitted against another.  Paul said, no, you have it wrong. There is only one Holy Spirit and he distributes all the gifts for everyone’s benefit.  The ministries should function like limbs and organs in a body, each functioning for the good of all the others because it is designed to benefit the whole body.  Serving Christ is not a competition.

LORD, forgive us for magnifying some ministries above the others. May we use our gifts to serve you and each other.