1 Corinthians 12:7 English Standard Version (ESV) To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Some sound advice came to me some time ago from another devotional writer.

The use of the word I sounds like pride and the use of the word you sounds accusatorial.

Using words like us and our rings of a common experience and does not make the hearer feel alone or patronized. We do not have to sound like we are being judgmental in saying we have had the same experience.

Neither should we expect others to experience the same miracle healing we had. God’s will is a work in each of us and we must take into consideration the feelings of others in how we share God’s sovereign power. His will may be different for others.

Why this is true has everything to do with what God knows is best for each of us. While we might all have gotten caught up in the same experience our exit strategies may not be the same. That is personal for each of us and to tell someone that they “should do it this way” will be condemning if it doesn’t work for that individual.

One area that is easy to offend another is in expecting others to hear God in the same way. There have been many instances of weakening another’s faith in comparing our lives to theirs.

2 Corinthians 10:12 English Standard Version (ESV) Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Paul’s advice here is to believers and is not asking us to compare ourselves with unbelievers because we do not share this common bond in the Holy Spirit.

Commending themselves sounds a little like “I have done…”

Proverbs 29:11 English Standard Version (ESV) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Spirit here is not the quickened life in Christ but rather think of it in terms of school spirit. You have strong emotions about things in life. God created us to have emotions, love being just one of them.

The issue of holding back certain high spirited emotions has to do with the circumstances. Emotions run the full gambit of highs and lows. Either end can be dangerous to us and others.

It is not always easy to evaluate our reactions in the heat of a moment. The old person in us has a tendency to act first and the gentle spirit in us is slow to anger, but not so our flesh.

There will be times when our old nature gets the better of us until the heart change in us takes more control of our actions. We will feel regret but we must recognize it as just another emotion and not necessarily conviction from our Lord. It is not something to repent of unless harm has been done and that is where wisdom comes in. Wisdom comes with experience, so do not judge yourself harshly if wisdom has not helped control emotions yet.

Pray for wisdom.

James 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

And for others.

Colossians 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

James 1:6 English Standard Version (ESV) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Ask in faith and receive by faith, do not allow our flesh to tell us otherwise.