For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Proverbs 16:18–19 NKJV
18Pride goes before destruction,And a haughty spirit before a fall.19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Ecclesiastes 7:16 NKJV
16Do not be overly righteous,Nor be overly wise:Why should you destroy yourself?
Philippians 2:3 NKJV
3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
II. The Gifts
A. Illustrated
Paul likens spiritual gifts to members of the human body.
Romans 12:4 NKJV
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Romans 12:5 NKJV
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
B. Identification
Seven spiritual gifts are listed.
1. Prophesying
Romans 12:6 NKJV
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let usprophesy in proportion to our faith;
2. Serving
Romans 12:7 NKJV
or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
3. Teaching
Romans 12:7 NKJV
or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
4. Encouraging
Romans 12:8 NKJV
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
5. Giving
Romans 12:8 NKJV
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
6. Leading
Romans 12:8 NKJV
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
7. Showing kindness
Romans 12:8 NKJV
he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
