by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS
SIN
DEFINITION: Biblically, sin is any transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4).
FACTS ABOUT SIN:
The first sin was committed by Lucifer, now known as Satan. Read about it in Isaiah 14:12-15.
Sin entered the world through the transgression committed by Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Because of their sin, we are all born with a basic sin nature (Psalm 51:5). In addition, we all commit personal sins of omission (things we should do that we don’t) and commission (sins we commit).
Man’s greatest problem is sin. In Romans 3:23 we read, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” The Bible says all people are sinners and that sin separates us from God.
The process of sin. James describes the process of sin: “…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15). The end result of sin is spiritual deathBseparation from God: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God loves you and has provided forgiveness for your sins. The Bible says, “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world…as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10). God loves you so much that He has provided a way for your sins to be forgiven so that you do not have to reap the wages of sin – spiritual death through separation from God.
The answer to your sin problem is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”( John 14:6). Acts 4:12 confirms, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Jesus Christ is the answer to your sin problem. He is the only way to God and the only way to be forgiven. You must accept Jesus as your personal Savior. Romans 10:9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord: and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Your past sins. When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, He forgave the sins you confessed, but He also cleansed you from all unrighteousness ; even those sins you did not remember and acts you did not realize were sin. You do not need to confess these past sins ever again. They are forgiven and forgotten by God who declaresA… for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
Sins committed after you accept Christ should be dealt with daily. Part of the model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 to be prayed daily includes asking forgiveness for sins you commit after receiving Christ. A true believer will not desire to continue in known sin (1 John 3:6-10).
Temptation to sin is common to all people. It is not temptation that is wrong, but yielding to it. (James 1:13-15). God does not tempt you. You are tempted when you are drawn away by your own lusts and yield to them (James 1:13-15).
DEALING WITH SIN:
Admit your sin. Do not attempt to cover it, try to hide from God, or blame others. Adam and Eve tried these methods and they did not work. Admit that your sin is disobedience.
Ask God to forgive you. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:8-10).
Walk in the Spirit. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the desires of your sinful flesh. Walking in the Spirit means allowing spiritual fruit to be manifested in your life instead of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25).
Put off sinful behaviors. Strip yourself of these as you would remove a dirty garment. Replace these with godly behaviors. See “Put Off and Put On” in Appendix Three of this database.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT SIN:
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:6)
He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. (Psalm 7:15-16)
All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. (Psalm 14:3)
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:13)
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’–and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:2-5)
See how the evildoers lie fallen–thrown down, not able to rise! (Psalm 36:12)
The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. (Psalm 37:13)
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:2-5)
Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. (Psalm 58:3)
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.(Psalm 103:12)
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. (Proverbs 5:22)
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. (Proverbs 11:6)
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? (Proverbs 20:9)
The evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. (Proverbs 24:20)
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:12)
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: righteous men who get what the wicked deserve, and wicked men who get what the righteous deserve. (Ecclesiastes 8:14)
One sinner destroys much good. (Ecclesiastes 9:18)
God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21)
Your own conduct and actions have brought this upon you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart! (Jeremiah 4:18)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. (John 8:7)
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men. (Romans 1:18)
But because of your stubbornness and you unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned– for before the law was given, sin was in the world. (Romans 5:12-13)
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:11-14)
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. (Romans 7:18)
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. (Romans 7:20-21)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-26)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. (1 Timothy 5:24)
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. (James 2:10-11)
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. (James 4:17)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8-10)
No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:6-10)
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
Sins listed in scripture. Some are repeated in more than one list. There are…
-Seven which come from the heart and defile: Matthew 15:18-20
-Thirteen which come from the heart and defile: Mark 7:21-23
-Twenty-three which bring the judgment of God: Romans 1:29-32
-Seven which believers cannot do: Romans 13:13,14
-Six with which believers should not associate: 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
-Ten which prevent entrance into the Kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:9,10
-Seventeen more which prevent entrance into the Kingdom of God: Galatians 5:19-21
-Four which bring wrath and prevent entrance into the Kingdom of God: Ephesians 5:5-6
-Eleven from which believers must turn away: 2 Corinthians 12:20-21
-Nine in which the unsaved live and in which believers should not live: Ephesians 4:17-19
-Six which must not exist among believers: Ephesians 5:3,4
-Nine which believers should put away: Ephesians 4:25,28,29,31
-Six which believers must put off: Colossians 3:8,9
-Six which believers must mortify and which bring the wrath of God: Colossians 3:5-6
-Fourteen for which the law was given: 1 Timothy 1:9-10
-Nineteen from which believers must turn away: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
-Nine from which believers are saved: Titus 3:3-5
-Five which believers must lay aside: 1 Peter 2:1
-Seven sins of the flesh in which believers no longer live: 1 Peter 4:2-4
-Eight which condemn to the lake of fire: Revelation 21:8
-Six which prevent access to the tree of life and the holy city: Revelation 22:14
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS
SHAME
DEFINITION: Shame is a negative emotion that combines feelings of unworthiness, rejection, embarrassment, and disgrace. Biblically, shame results from a recognition of one’s guilt because of sin.
FACTS ABOUT SHAME:
Shame is a result of sin. Before they sinned, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. One of the first emotions they experienced after they sinned was shame, as they made fig leaves in an attempt to cover their nakedness and they tried to hide from the presence of God.
There is a difference between guilt and shame. Guilt means “debt” and is essentially an emotion resulting from transgression of an accepted standard of God’ Word by a definite, voluntary act. It is concerned with doing or lack of doing, sins of commission or omission–failing to do something right or doing something you know to be wrong. Common sources of guilt include acts of dishonesty, lying, stealing, selfishness, cheating, infidelity, and hurting others. Guilt says to your conscience, “You made a mistake. What you did was bad.” Shame, however, means “to cover up and to envelop” and is concerned with being rather than doing. Shame says, “You are no good, you are bad, you are inadequate.” The Apostle Paul illustrates the difference between guilt and shame when he says, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Romans 7:19). That is guilt resulting from doing. Then Paul agonizes, “Oh wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:2). That is shame speaking.
Shame-based thinking means your thoughts are dominated by feelings of shame. This can lead to feelings of paranoia, repression, and rationalization of your behavior. Shame brings personal condemnation and causes you to blame others in order to make yourself feel better. You may also be plagued by perfectionism to attempt to ease your feelings of shame or become defensive, arrogantly self-righteous, or aggressive with others. Some people with shame issues turn to addictive substances, while others disassociate themselves from friends and family because they do not feel worthy.
The power of shame is manifested in five areas in your life:
Inherited shame results from the basic sin nature which we all receive at birth due to the original transgression of man in the Garden of Eden.
Individual shame results from sins you personally commit.
Incessant shame refers to the continuous cycle of shame manifested from generation to generation. If you do not deal with shame successfully, then you pass it on to your children and they duplicate it by passing it on to the next generation.
Imposed shame is inflicted upon you by others who put you down and tell you that you are stupid or not good enough.
Institutional shame comes through the institutions of society. You may be shamed by society because of the color of your skin, your family background, or the city or nation in which you live.
DEALING WITH SHAME:
Recognize that you do not have to bear your shame. Jesus bore your sin and sickness at the cross so that you no longer need bear them. He also bore your shame. So why are you continuing to bear it? He went to the cross carrying your shame: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:3).
Acknowledge your shame. Shame will be used by Satan to destroy you. Shame will keep you shackled to your past so that you cannot move forward to embrace your destiny. Acknowledge your shameful feelings so you can deal with them.
Act against your shame. Repent of any shame-producing, sinful behavior. Repent of any bitterness or unforgiveness you may harbor against those who caused you shame.
Address your shame. When the voice of accusation says, “Shame on you,” respond by declaring, “No, Jesus bore my shame.”
Silence the enemy when he returns with shameful accusations. Make this declaration: “No…My sin and shame are on Jesus. His righteousness is on me. I reject your accusations in the name of Jesus Christ.”
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT SHAME:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. (Psalm 34:4-5)
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. (Psalm 119:31)
The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. (Proverbs 3:35)
When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2, NKJV)
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7, KJV)
Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.(Isaiah 54:4)
Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,and everlasting joy will be theirs. (Isaiah 61:7)
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. (Joel 2:26, KJV)
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Romans 10:11)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:3).
(For further study on the subject of Shame, see the Harvestime International Network publication entitled “Shattering The Shackles Of Shame” available at http://www.harvestime.org)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS
SEXUALITY
DEFINITION: Sexuality is sexual activity, involvement, or interest. For the believer, sexuality as it was intended is to be is governed by biblical standards.
FACTS ABOUT SEXUALITY:
The original purpose of sex was for reproduction. After God created the first man and woman, God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28).
Sex is intended to be within the confines of marriage, one man with one woman in a lifetime commitment: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). According to Hebrews 13:4, the marriage bed should be kept pure. Sexual relationships outside of marriage are sinful. Proverbs 5:18-19 speaks of “rejoicing” with your mate.
Sexual desire is not sinful. It is a natural desire, but it must be directed and contained within the confines of marriage as it is defined biblically.
Gender identity. To question the gender one was born is to challenge God’s fixed order of creation. To question whether God made us in His image as male and female is to arrogantly rise up against Gods authority. To groom children to accept this perversion is child abuse.
DEALING WITH SEXUALITY:
Confess sexual sins. If you have engaged in pre-marital sex, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, incest, molestation–any type of sexual sin–you must confess and repent of your sin. Ask God to forgive you and deliver you from unholy sexual desires.
Break any sexual relationships that are outside of the confines of marriage. Any flirtatious, adulterous, homosexual ties must be broken. Even if a relationship has not yet been consummated by intercourse, a deep emotional tie will eventually lead to sexual violations. Break all sinful emotional and physical relationships.
Eliminate things that stimulate your sexual passions including sensual films, books, magazines, movies, music, pictures, the Internet, etc.
Recognize that your body belongs to God. It is not your own to do with as you please. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). You should treat it as you would a church sanctuary.
Dedicate yourself to abstinence. Determine that you will not engage in any sexual relationships outside the confines of marriage.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT SEXUALITY:
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28)
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)
Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. (Proverbs 5:15)
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer–may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
(Proverbs 5:18-19)
He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (Romans 1:24)
Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. (Romans 1:28)
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. (Romans 6:19)
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. (Romans 13:13)
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:15-20, NKJV)
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. (1 Corinthians 7:3-4)
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. (Ephesians 4:19)
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (Ephesians 5:11-12)
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Hebrews 13:4)
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)
Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:7)
(See related topics of “Adultery”, “Promiscuity”, “Homosexuality”, and “Incest” in this database.)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS
SELF-ESTEEM
DEFINITION: Self-esteem is confidence in your own merit as a person, the quality of feeling worthy of esteem or respect by yourself and others. It is how you honestly feel about your abilities and limitations. Low self-esteem is when you feel unworthy, alienated, and incompetent.
FACTS ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM:
There is a difference between self-esteem and Christ-centered esteem. It is not who you are, but who He is and what He has done in your life. “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). Apart from Christ, you can do nothing and are nothing (John 15:5).
Low self-esteem makes you believe you are incompetent at everything, that you are loser, a failure, you will never amount to anything, and you don’t fit in. Because of these feelings, you may withdraw from others and find it difficult to establish meaningful relationships.
Many low self-esteem issues result from verbal abuse by parents, spouses, or friends who speak negative things into your life.
Biblical self-esteem is not pride. It is acknowledging who you are in Christ Jesus and giving Him glory for anything and everything you achieve in life.
DEALING WITH SELF-ESTEEM:
Do not compare yourself to others: This often causes self-esteem issues. The Bible says: “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). Do not try to be like someone else. Do not criticize yourself for not being as beautiful, popular, or smart as others.
Do not focus on yourself, focus on Him. It is not who you are, but who He is in you. When you focus on the great power of God that is resident within you, your self-esteem issues will vanish (2 Corinthians 10:17-18). Realize that apart from God, you are nothing and can do nothing (John 15:5).
Accept yourself as a product of God’s grace. the Apostle Paul said: “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10). He knew it was not about him, rather it was about God’s grace manifested in and through him. Paul had a weakness that he asked God to remove, but his request was denied three times. He learned to accept his weaknesses and even glory in them because it provided an opportunity for God’s strength to be manifested (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Focus on your successes instead of your failures. God has given you all you need to be successful. He has given you His power, His love, and a sound mind: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV). God has guaranteed success to those who walk in the ways of the Lord (Psalm 1).
Acknowledge who you are in God. You are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:16-17). The very hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). You are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). He made you as you are (Exodus 3:11). When you put yourself down, you are putting down the workmanship of God. God thinks so highly of you that He not only created you in the womb, but He planned all the days of your life (Psalm 139:13-18).
Reprogram your mind with God’s Word. Low self-esteem feeds on negative thoughts. Reprogram your mind with the Word of God and what God says about you and your thinking will be transformed. The book of Ephesians is a good place to start.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:16-17)
But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5)
I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2)
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-18)
Rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…(Jeremiah 1:5)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
The very hairs of your head are numbered. (Luke 12:7)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:2-3)
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
But by the grace of God I am what I am…(1 Corinthians 15:10)
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)
And just as we have born the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12)
Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:3-8)
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV).
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. (1 John 4:17)
And we are in him who is true – even in his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:20)
Study the stories of Moses (Exodus 3); Gideon (Judges 6); and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1). These men all felt unworthy of the tasks to which God had called them. God emphasized that it was not who they were that was important, but who they would become with God working in and through them.
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, S, TOPICS
SALVATION
DEFINITION: Biblically, salvation means the act of snatching others by force from serious spiritual danger, saving a person from spiritual death, and delivering one from the penalty, peril, and power of sin.
FACTS ABOUT SALVATION:
Salvation implies that you are delivered from something to something. You are saved from sin and reconciled with God. You are saved from the Kingdom of Satan and born-again in the Kingdom of God. You are delivered from spiritual death to spiritual life.
Salvation is a gift. There is nothing you can do to earn it (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9).
God’s goodness leads you to repentance. Romans 2:4 indicates that it is God’s goodness–not His judgment–that draws you to repent.
Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. There are not “many roads to God”. The Bible says there is one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ.
Salvation is attained by repentance and confession. Confession is necessary in order to receive forgiveness: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:8-10).
You are not required to confess to another person. Jesus Christ is the mediator between you and God, and you can confess directly to Him. Some people find it helpful, however, to ask a spiritual leader to help them confess their sins to God. If you do this, prayerfully select someone who will keep your confidences.
Public confessions are not necessary in order to receive forgiveness. In fact, public confessions are sometimes disruptive in a church fellowship. Confessing your faults and asking for prayer as mentioned in James 5:16 is different than confessing specific sins. For example, you might say “I need prayer for my problem with unforgiveness” rather than pointing out specific people in the church you are unable to forgive! You should, however, always confess and ask forgiveness of anyone you have wronged.
Benefits of salvation include not only reconciliation with God, but also the gift of hope (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10); provision (Matthew 6:33); eternal life (John 3:16-17); freedom from the bondage of sin (2 Corinthians 3:17); release from sin, shame, and guilt (Isaiah 53:3-5); and abundant life in this world and eternal life in the one to come (John 3:16-17).
DEALING WITH SALVATION:
Confess your sins to God in the name of Jesus. Confess your known sins, and He will forgive them and then cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). Confession is part of the model prayer that is to be prayed daily by believers (Matthew 6:9-13).
Do not keep confessing sins of the past. Once confessed, God forgives you. The Bible says that God takes your sins, casts them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and remembers them no more (Isaiah 43:25).
Realize that you are a new creature in Christ. The Bible teaches that man is body, soul, and spirit. When you accept Jesus as Savior, you experience a spiritual rebirth (John 3:5-8). You are a totally new person in Christ.
You must allow your spirit to rule. For years, your soul ruled your spirit and your body. Whatever your soul desired or dictated, you did – whether it be drugs, alcohol, pornography, immorality, etc. You did not exercise control over emotions such as anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness. You went where you wanted to go and did what you wanted to do. You got to where you are today by doing what you did. If you want things to change, you must do something different. You must learn to let your redeemed spirit control your body and your soulish nature -your mind, will, and emotions.
When your old soulish nature rises up and you sin again, it does not mean you were not saved. You do not need to accept Jesus as Savior again. You simply need to confess and ask God to forgive you (1 John 1:8-9).
Break the strongholds of habitual sin. Habitual sin enslaves you and erects spiritual strongholds in your life are erected. This is why you should never deliberately sin. Study about the struggle of Apostle Paul in Romans 7:15-21 and the glorious solution in Romans 8. God has given a way of escape in every temptation. Take it! ANo temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it@ (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Recognize the difference between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation is general. You believe you are a bad person, you can never change, etc. These thoughts come from the enemy to discourage you in your new life. Conviction is specific and is from the Holy Spirit to reprove you for wrong so you can correct it. For example, you feel convicted because you lied to someone. This is the Holy Spirit working with you to help you live out your new life of faith.
Continue to grow in your faith.
-Study the Word of God. You cannot grow without food. Just as natural food supplies energy for your physical growth, the Holy Bible is the food which supplies energy for your spiritual growth. Your spiritual growth will be in direct proportion to your increasing knowledge of God’s Word. Personal Bible study must become a part of your daily routine. Start by reading the book of John.
-Pray. Use the pattern of the Lord=s prayer to guide you in daily prayer (Matthew 6:9- 13).
-Attend a local Bible-believing church so your new faith will grow.
-Make friends with other believers who will strengthen your faith.
Ask God to remove spiritual blindness from the minds of the unsaved. Ask the Father to draw your unsaved loved one to Him (John 6:44, 2 Corinthians 4:4). Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict and convince them (John 16:8, AMP). Continue to believe for household salvation and never give up (Acts 16:31, Luke 18:1, AMP).
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT SALVATION:
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord–and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:2-5)
Read David’s great psalm of confession: Psalm 51.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:3-6)
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-28)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. (Acts 3:19-20)
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23)
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. (Hebrews 10:35)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8-10)
And this is what he promised us–even eternal life. (1 John 2:25)
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
(See also “Repentance” and “Confession” in this database.)
by P. Hulsey | Dec 31, 2014 | blog, G, S, TOPICS
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION: The word “spiritual” means “characterized or controlled by the Holy Spirit.” A “gift” is something freely given from one person to another. A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to a believer for the purpose of service in the Body of Christ.
FACTS ABOUT GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
There is a difference between the “gift” and “gifts” of the Holy Spirit. The “gift” was given at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit was given in answer to the promise of Jesus: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter…Even the Spirit of truth…”(John 14:16-17a). “Gifts” are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to enable effective ministry, and are distributed to each believer as the Holy Spirit wills.
There is a difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents. A talent is a natural ability inherited at birth or developed through training. A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to be used for specific spiritual purposes.
The purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in Ephesians 4:12-15. The purposes are to perfect the saints, promote the work of the ministry, and edify Christ and the Church. The goals of these spiritual gifts are that we will become united in the faith, develop our knowledge of Christ, develop in perfection, with Christ as our model, become stable, not be deceived by false doctrines, and mature spiritually in Christ.
There are many gifts which come from one source. The source of spiritual gifts is the Holy Spirit who gives and operates these gifts in the lives of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
Each believer has at least one spiritual gift. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). See also 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11.
You are only a steward of your spiritual gifts. A steward does not own that with which he works. He uses something given to him in behalf of the person who gave it to him. You are a steward of your spiritual gifts to be used for the advancement of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1).
The key to using spirit gifts is love. See 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
A spiritual gift can be abused. You abuse spiritual gifts by not using the gifts given to you (1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6); attempting to use gifts not given to you (Acts 8:20-21; 19:15-16); and not using gifts properly (1 Corinthians 14:33,40).
The main passages identifying spiritual gifts are Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:1-16; and 1 Peter 4:7-11.
Spiritual gifts include the following.
-Leadership gifts.
Apostle. An apostle is one who has a special ability to develop new churches in different places and cultures and to oversee a number of churches as a supervisor. Apostle means “a delegate, one sent with full power and authority to act for another.”
Prophet. Prophecy is the ability to receive and communicate an immediate message from God to His people through a divinely-anointed utterance. A prophet is one who is in a leadership position in addition to his gift of prophesying.
Evangelist. An evangelist has a special ability to share the Gospel with non-believers in a way that men and women respond and become responsible members of the Body of Christ.
Pastor. Pastors are leaders who assume long-term responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.
Teachers are believers who have the ability to communicate the Word of God effectively in such a way that others learn and apply what is taught. As a leadership gift, they also assume a leadership role in addition to teaching.
-Speaking gifts.
Prophecy is speaking by the special inspiration of God to communicate an immediate message to His people.
Teaching communicates the Word of God in a way that others can learn and apply what is taught.
Exhortation is the ability to draw close to individuals in time of need, counseling them correctly with the Word of God. To “exhort” means to call a person aside, to advise, recommend, admonish, encourage, or comfort.
Word of knowledge is the ability to understand things which others cannot comprehend and to share this knowledge with them under the inspiration of the Spirit.
Word of wisdom is the ability to receive insight as to how knowledge may be applied to specific needs.
-Serving gifts.
Discerning of spirits is the ability to evaluate people, doctrines, and situations as to whether they are of God or of Satan.
Leadership is the ability to make plans in accord with God’s purpose and to communicate these goals to others. A person with this gift motivates others to accomplish these goals for the glory of God.
Administration. A person with the gift of administration has the ability to give direction, organize, and make decisions on behalf of others.
Faith is a special ability to believe with supernatural confidence and trust God in difficult circumstances.
Giving. A person with the gift of giving has a special ability to give material goods and financial resources to the work of the Lord. The gift of giving also includes giving time, strength, and talents to the work of the Lord. All Christians are to give to the work of the Lord, but the gift of giving is a special ability given to give above and beyond the average believer.
Helps. A person with the gift of helps assists others in their work for the Lord.
Serving is an ability to assume routine but necessary duties to free others to fulfill their giftedness.
Mercy is the ability to show special compassion on those suffering and help them
Hospitality is a special ability to provide food, lodging, and care for those in need.
-Sign gifts.
Miracles. Through a person with the gift of miracles God performs powerful acts which are beyond the possibility of occurring naturally.
Healing. A believer with the gifts of healing has the ability to let God’s power flow through him to restore health apart from the use of natural methods. All believers can pray for the sick, but a believer with a healing gift is used specifically and consistently by God in this area of ministry.
Tongues is the ability to receive and communicate a message of God to His people through a language unknown to listeners, a message which is subsequently interpreted by someone with the gift of interpretation.
Interpretation of tongues is the ability to make known in a language understood by listeners a message from God given through one with the gifts of tongues.
DEALING WITH GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Become a believer. You must be a believer in order to receive a spiritual gift. If you do not know Jesus Christ as Savior, confess your sins, repent, and accept Him into your life.
Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. See “Baptisms” in this database for guidelines to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul said to desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). Ask the Holy Spirit to manifest in your life the gifts necessary for you to minister effectively in the realm of your spiritual calling.
Have church elders lay hands on you to bestow and confirm your gifts. They did this for Timothy, a young minister in New Testament times (2 Timothy 1:6).
Use your spiritual gifts. God has given you spiritual gifts and expects you to use what you have been given. Read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
WHAT GOD’S WORD SAYS ABOUT GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong–that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romans 1:11-12)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:1-8)
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:7-9)
Read 1 Corinthians chapter 12.
Read 1 Corinthians chapter 14.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:7-16)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)
(See also the verses in the topic “Baptisms” in this database. For a detailed study of the gifts of the Spirit obtain the Harvestime International Network publication entitled “The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit” available at http://www.harvestime.org)
