Faith New Zealand's Road Map of Life

From time to time I am accosted by well meaning Christians who accuse me of everything from ignorance to Satanism. I rarely enter into debate with them, because experience tells me that their beliefs are so strongly felt that they are not open to hearing me, but The Bible actually has some very interesting things to say about the gifts we are given and how we are meant to use them. In First Corinthians, Chapter 12, Paul outlines the various gifts we are given, makes it clear that we are all gifted differently, and reminds us that we are given these gifts to glory God.

The reason I am posting this is that a caller wanted me to give her some specific information so she could discuss with a Christian friend the point of view that all our gifts are God given and meant to be used.  I come from a Christian background, and have no difficulty integrating my gifts and my beliefs. When I tell those Christians who regard it as their duty to chastise me for my "evil ways" that I am a Christian, they are usually shocked. Some have even gone so far as to say, “No you’re not!” If I debate with them, they will tell me, “The Devil quotes scripture for his own ends” so I no longer bother.

But for you, S, here is the chapter in question, which I hope helps you in your discussions with your friend.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were unbelievers,[1] you were enticed and led astray to worship[2] idols that couldn't even speak. 3For this reason I want you to be aware that no one who is speaking by God's Spirit can say, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, 5and there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord. 6There are varieties of results, but it is the same God who produces all the results in everyone.

7To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good. 8To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit; 10to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 11But one and the same Spirit produces all these results and gives what he wants to each person.

The Unity and Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, form a single body, so it is with the Messiah. 13For by[3] one Spirit all of us—Jews and Greeks, slaves and free—were baptized into one body and were all privileged to drink from one Spirit.12

14For the body does not consist of only one part, but of many. 15If the foot says, “Since I'm not a hand, I'm not part of the body,” that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? 16And if the ear says, “Since I'm not an eye, I'm not part of the body,” that does not make it any less a part of the body, does it? 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body[4] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But now God has arranged the parts, every one of them, in the body according to his plan.[5] 19Now if all of it were one part, there wouldn’t be a body, would there? 20So there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you,” or the head to the feet, “I don't need you.” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are in fact indispensable, 23and the parts of the body that we think are less honorable are treated with special honor, and we make our less attractive parts more attractive. 24However, our attractive parts don't need this. But God has put the body together and has given special honor to the parts that lack it, 25so that there might be no disharmony in the body, but that its parts should have the same concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is praised, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the Messiah's body and individual parts of it. 28God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak[f] various kinds of languages. 29Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? 30Not all have the gift of healing, do they? Not all speak in other languages,[7] do they? Not all interpret, do they? 31Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.

http://isv.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/12.htm