Poseurs Of The Body

"If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts." (1 Corinthians 12:17-31)


You can tell someone the way of salvation, but if you do not possess the gift of evangelism, you may have only taught them the way.

You can encourage the discouraged, but if you do not possess the gift of intercession, you may have only made them feel good.

You can pray for the sick, but if you do not possess the gift of healing, you may have only relieved their symptoms.

You can speak an appropriate word of God, but if you do not possess the gift of prophecy, you may have only repeated what is written.

You can identify evil, but if you do not possess the gift of discernment, you may have only awakened them to its presence.

You can speak the truth, but if you do not possess the gift of exhortation, you may have only reminded them of what they already know.

When you step out of your gifting and attempt to take on another's, rather than appointing one who is appropriately gifted and equipped, you have stepped out of your place of submission to the Head. In disrespect to the order of authority, you have usurped the work of another member of the body you have not been assigned nor properly equipped for, and have diminished the fullness of the power that belongs to that particular ministry. Your witness will appear quite empty and dogmatic. It is when we are submissive and obedient within our specific calling, gifting, and ministry whereby God will reveal Himself to those we minister to, thus imparting more than a knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven, but a confirmation of the abundant life they are crying out for, to be embraced immediately!

PJR

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills."
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11)