4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Just coming off Confirmation with our sixth-grade youth, there have been a few questions asked about the Holy Spirit. (And I must admit, I may have my own questions about this aspect of “God in Three Persons.” And then, just as Paul describes, I detect the Spirit’s presence in people.)
When I see one of Christ’s followers uttering wise words, I sense a manifestation of the Spirit.
When I witness one of God’s children working powerful deeds, the Spirit is working through them.
When I hear some prophecy, and show me God’s plan for where we are heading, the Spirit speaks.
And some other believer might be able to name and claim some manifestation of the Spirit in you or in me that triggers Christian service and activities for the common good.
When it comes to the subject of the Holy Spriit, show and tell is a pretty good teaching technique.
Prayer
God, let your Spirit move in my life in a such a way that others may witness your activity in the world. I lift this prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.