James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
TEST OF HUMILITY ABOUT YOUR GIFTS
The Holy Spirit led me to study the life of Joseph. I saw certain things in his life that I did not pay attention to in my years of study. Joseph was gifted and humble. When Joseph was in the prison, he had the privilege of interpreting the dreams of the butler and baker. I saw his attitude and humble approach in Genesis 40:8, "And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams”(Genesis 40:8 NLT). He said the same thing when he was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dream(Gen41:15-15). Joseph didn't say, 'I am the master dream interpreter, that's my area of spiritual specialization". He said, "interpreting dreams is God's business". His approach to the use of his gifting didn't take the shine off God.
I was on the mountain to pray years back. After one of the prayer sessions, I heard a man saying that he performed miracles in a program. He was loud about it and I didn't hear him give glory to God. Severally, I've heard radio and television adverts where the preacher arrogates to himself special powers to perform miracles and to see visions. I have noticed that most of those people remain as local champions because their pride places a limitation on how far they can go. No man tampers with God's glory and gets promoted to a higher realm of glory. God doesn't want to share his glory with man. He can share his power with man, he can give grace but he will never share his glory and honour with anyone. In Isaiah42:8, God said: "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols".
Joseph had a gift to boast about but he gave the glory to God. After he told Pharaoh the meaning of his dreams, his promotion came. Dearest, how did you feel after you gave the last prophecy? What about the healing and miracle God did through you? How did you carry yourself among the brethren? If those things get into your head thinking you achieved them by your power, you may repeat this current spiritual class. Stop pushing your promotion forward because of pride. John3:27, "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven". Do not be proud about your gifting, it is from God. Though he may not take the gift away from you, but you can limit yourself through pride. There are many gifted but irrelevant folks today. There's a common saying that if you're loaded, you'll be needed. I beg to differ on that. If you're loaded ( with gifts) and you're proud, you may be needless because "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE"(James4:6). The greatest opposition of a proud man is God not the devil. If a man is loaded and proud, how can he be needed if God is opposing him? Don't let pride stop your promotion before you start.
Father, I receive the grace to stay humble in Jesus name