Scriptural Foundation
Before exploring the dangers surrounding spiritual gifts, it is essential to establish the biblical foundation for these gifts. The New Testament provides clear teaching on the various spiritual gifts given to believers:
- Romans 12:6-8: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8)
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
- Ephesians 4:11-13: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
These passages remind us that spiritual gifts are a vital aspect of the Christian life, given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ.
Dangers When Using Spiritual Gifts
- Pride and Self-Exaltation:
- Danger: When believers use their spiritual gifts, there is a risk of pride creeping in, where the focus shifts from glorifying God to glorifying oneself. This can lead to a sense of superiority over others, which can cause division and hinder the unity of the church.
- Scriptural Warning: In 1 Corinthians 12:21, Paul reminds believers that no part of the body can say to another, “I have no need of you.” Each gift is important, and no one should think of themselves as more important than others.
- Competition and Comparison:
- Danger: Using spiritual gifts can sometimes lead to unhealthy competition and comparison within the church. Believers might feel inadequate if their gifts seem less prominent or spectacular compared to others, or they might compete for recognition and status.
- Scriptural Warning: 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 emphasizes the need for care and empathy within the body, stating that “there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.”
- Misuse or Abuse of Gifts:
- Danger: Spiritual gifts can be misused, leading to confusion, disorder, or harm within the church. For example, the gift of prophecy might be used to control or manipulate others, or the gift of tongues might be used in a way that causes confusion if there is no interpretation.
- Scriptural Warning: In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul reminds the church that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace,” urging the proper and orderly use of spiritual gifts.
- Neglect of Love:
- Danger: Gifts can be used without love, which Paul warns against in 1 Corinthians 13. Without love, even the most spectacular gifts are meaningless and can cause harm rather than edification.
- Scriptural Warning: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 emphasizes that without love, spiritual gifts are like “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” and have no real value.
- Dependency on Gifts Over the Giver:
- Danger: Believers might become more focused on the gifts themselves rather than on the Giver, the Holy Spirit. This can lead to a dependency on the gifts for identity and worth rather than on Christ.
- Scriptural Warning: James 1:17 reminds us that “every good and perfect gift is from above,” highlighting the importance of maintaining a focus on God rather than on the gifts He provides.
Dangers of Not Using Spiritual Gifts
- Stifling Spiritual Growth:
- Danger: Failing to use spiritual gifts can lead to stagnation in spiritual growth. Spiritual gifts are meant to be exercised and developed, and neglecting them can result in a lack of personal and communal growth in the faith.
- Scriptural Warning: In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul urges Timothy not to “neglect the gift you have,” reminding us of the importance of active participation in the work God has called us to.
- Weakening the Body of Christ:
- Danger: The church is a body made up of many members, each with unique gifts that contribute to its health and effectiveness. When gifts are not used, the body is weakened, and the church may struggle to fulfill its mission effectively.
- Scriptural Warning: Romans 12:4-6 teaches that “we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Each member’s participation is crucial for the body to function properly.
- Missed Opportunities for Ministry:
- Danger: Not using spiritual gifts can result in missed opportunities to serve others, share the gospel, and glorify God. This can hinder the church’s mission and reduce its impact on the world.
- Scriptural Warning: Ephesians 4:11-13 explains that Christ gave gifts to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Not using these gifts undermines this purpose.
- Disobedience to God’s Call:
- Danger: God has given each believer gifts to be used for His purposes. Neglecting to use these gifts is a form of disobedience, which can lead to a sense of spiritual dissatisfaction and a lack of fulfillment in one’s Christian walk.
- Scriptural Warning: The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 warns of the consequences of not using what God has entrusted to us. The servant who failed to use his talent was rebuked and his talent was taken away.
- Loss of Reward:
- Danger: Scripture teaches that there will be rewards for faithful service. By not using spiritual gifts, believers may forfeit the rewards that come from faithfully serving God and others.
- Scriptural Warning: 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 speaks of each person’s work being tested by fire, and if it endures, they will receive a reward. Neglecting spiritual gifts can lead to a loss of this reward.
Conclusion
Both the misuse and neglect of spiritual gifts pose significant dangers to individual believers and the church as a whole. While it is essential to use these gifts with humility, love, and proper motives, it is equally important not to neglect them. Each believer is called to actively and faithfully use their spiritual gifts, contributing to the health, unity, and mission of the body of Christ.