In First Corinthians 12, we discover essential truths about how the Holy Spirit works in believers’ lives and why His presence is crucial for authentic Christian living.
Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is our helper, sent by Jesus to be with us every moment. He convicts us of sin, teaches us, and applies God’s Word to our hearts. If we claim to be Christians, there should be clear evidence of the Spirit working in our lives through the fruit we produce – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
How Do We Know the Holy Spirit is Working in Our Lives?
Two key indicators from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 show the Spirit’s presence:
- The ability to truly acknowledge Jesus as Lord
- Being enabled to serve God through spiritual gifts
Acknowledging Jesus as Lord
It’s impossible to genuinely confess and live under Christ’s lordship without the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. This goes beyond merely saying the words “Jesus is Lord” – it requires complete personal allegiance and conviction that only comes through the Spirit’s enabling.
Serving Through Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit provides supernatural gifts that allow believers to serve God’s purposes. These gifts:
- Are different for each person
- Are given as needed for specific purposes
- May change over time
- Are meant to benefit the whole church body
- Cannot be fully discovered without actively serving
How Do We Discover Our Spiritual Gifts?
The best way to discover your spiritual gifts is to:
- Actively serve in your local church
- Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance
- Pay attention to areas where God seems to work supernaturally through you
- Remain open to gifts changing based on the needs of your church community
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to:
Examine your life for evidence of the Spirit’s work
Ask yourself:
Who is truly leading my life – my old ways or the Holy Spirit?
Are there areas of my life not fully submitted to Jesus’ lordship?
How am I currently serving others with my spiritual gifts?
What steps can I take to discover or better use my spiritual gifts?
Take action:
Begin serving in your local church if you aren’t already
Pray daily for the Spirit’s guidance
Submit any areas of darkness to the Lord’s authority
Seek opportunities to use your gifts for others’ benefit
Remember: The Holy Spirit’s work in our lives should be evident and supernatural – beyond what we could accomplish on our own.
