When discussing spiritual gifts, our eyes almost reflexively turn inward either to fixate upon ourselves or to compare ourselves with others. 1 Corinthians 12–14 radically reorients our self-focused thinking to a Christ-centered, corporate focus.
Our thinking about the Spirit and the spiritual gifts should draw our eyes not inward but upward and outward, to the God who graciously gives us his Spirit and to others in whom the Spirit is at work for our mutual good.
If we earnestly desire spiritual gifts in order to honor Christ and serve others, Scripture gives us every hope that we may experience more of the Spirit’s power working in and through our lives.