How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts Without Pride

The Parable of Miracle

Miracle was known in her church as “the voice.”

She had a rare prophetic gift, words of knowledge that pierced straight into people’s hearts, bringing healing, direction, and hope. It seemed like every time she opened her mouth under the anointing, tears flowed and burdens lifted. People began to seek her out after service, not just for prayer, but for personal counsel.

At first, she felt overwhelmed by the attention, but soon she began to enjoy it. Compliments rolled in: “You’re so anointed.” “God really uses you.” “I wish I had your gift.” Her heart swelled. Without realizing it, she started measuring her value by how often God spoke through her, and by how many people praised her afterward.

One Sunday, she stood up to prophesy during service. The congregation quieted in expectation. She opened her mouth, but nothing came. Her mind went blank. She tried again, still nothing. Confused and embarrassed, she sat down. For the first time in years, she left church feeling empty.

That week, Miracle prayed earnestly. “Lord, what happened? Why didn’t You speak?”

In the stillness, she sensed the Holy Spirit whisper, “You have started loving the gift more than the Giver.”

The words struck her deeply. She realized that pride had quietly crept into her heart. She had begun to see her gift as proof of her spiritual importance rather than a tool to serve God’s people. That day, she repented and asked God to cleanse her motives. From then on, she determined to guard her heart, use her gift to serve, and always give the glory back to God.

The journey back to humility was not instant. Miracle noticed how often her mind replayed compliments from people. She caught herself comparing her gift to others’ and had to stop mid-thought. Some days she intentionally chose smaller assignments, setting up chairs before service, visiting a sick member in the hospital, praying in the background during altar calls, to remind herself that the work of God is never about the platform. Slowly, she began to feel the joy she had when she first discovered her gift, the joy that came from pleasing God, not impressing people.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Parable

Miracle’s story reflects a dangerous but common truth: spiritual gifts are powerful, but they can become traps if we use them with pride. God gives gifts to build His Kingdom, not to build our ego. The gift is not proof of superiority, it is proof of responsibility. The higher the gift’s impact, the deeper the humility required to sustain it.

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV) warns: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Even a divinely-given ability can become the very thing that distances us from God if pride enters. The gifts are meant to point people to Jesus, not to us.

This is why Jesus constantly deflected glory to the Father. Even after miracles, He often told people not to publicize what He had done. Not because the works were unimportant, but because the focus was never to be on the vessel. If Christ Himself, being God, walked in such humility, how much more must we who are but servants handle our gifts with trembling reverence. Pride not only robs God of glory, it positions us against Him, because “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6 NIV).

Understanding Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NIV: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”)

These gifts, whether prophecy, teaching, healing, discernment, wisdom, giving, leadership, or tongues, are meant to edify the church and demonstrate God’s power in the world. They are tools, not trophies. They are assignments, not ornaments.

The Dangers of Pride in Spiritual Gifts

Pride is subtle. It doesn’t always come as arrogance, sometimes it comes as over-dependence on your ability instead of God’s Spirit.

1. Disconnection from the Source

Like Miracle, when pride enters, the flow of the Spirit can be hindered. John 15:5 (NIV) reminds us: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

2. Shifting Glory

Pride redirects praise from God to self. Isaiah 42:8 (NIV): “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another.”

Pride doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it hides in subtle self-satisfaction after ministry, where we replay how people looked at us, rather than how they saw God. This is why John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30 NIV). True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less and thinking of Christ more.

3. Spiritual Blindness

Pride makes us blind to correction. King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 was gifted in leadership and strategy, but pride led him to overstep into the priest’s role, and he ended in disgrace.

How to Use Your Spiritual Gifts Without Pride

1. Keep Your Eyes on the Giver

Never forget who gave you the gift. Remind yourself daily that without the Holy Spirit, you can do nothing.

Declaration: I will honor the Giver above the gift, in the name of Jesus.

2. Serve, Don’t Showcase

Use your gift to meet needs, not to attract admiration. Jesus, the most anointed One, washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15).

Example: A young worship leader chose to lead a small home fellowship instead of the big stage, and God used that humility to birth a revival.

Declaration: My gift will serve and not be for show, in the name of Jesus.

3. Stay Accountable

Have trusted spiritual leaders or friends who can correct you when they see pride creeping in.

Example: A prophet in training avoided public embarrassment because his mentor corrected a wrong attitude in private before it became public.

Declaration: I submit my gift to God’s order and to godly counsel, in the name of Jesus.

4.Guard Your Heart Against Flattery

Encouragement is good, but let praise roll up to God, not settle in your heart.

Declaration: No flattery will corrupt my purpose, in the name of Jesus.

5. Keep Learning and Growing

Never think you’ve “arrived.” Even the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:12 (NIV): “Not that I have already obtained all this… but I press on…”

Declaration: I will remain a learner in the Spirit, in the name of Jesus.

6. Serve in Hidden Places

Don’t only minister where you can be seen. God rewards the unseen just as much as the seen (Matthew 6:4 NIV).

Declaration: I will serve with joy whether seen or unseen, in the name of Jesus.

7. Stay Filled with the Word and Prayer

Pride grows in empty hearts. Stay connected to God through Scripture and communion with Him.

Declaration: My heart will stay full of His Word, in the name of Jesus.

8. Keep Gratitude Alive

Thank God every time He uses you. Gratitude keeps your heart soft and reminds you that you are simply a steward.

Declaration: Gratitude will guard my heart from pride, in the name of Jesus.

Bible Characters Who Used Their Gifts Humbly

Jesus

He healed, taught, and raised the dead, yet described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

Joseph

His gift of dream interpretation brought him before Pharaoh, yet he said, “I cannot do it… but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (Genesis 41:16 NIV). Even after being exalted, he forgave and honored his brothers instead of using his power to shame them.

Barnabas

Known for encouragement, he brought Saul (Paul) into ministry without seeking the spotlight (Acts 9:27 NIV). Later, when Paul became the prominent voice, Barnabas stepped back without bitterness.

Paul

An apostle with great revelation, yet called himself “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NIV).

Extra Prophetic Declarations

My gift will not lead me into pride; it will lead me into deeper humility, in the name of Jesus.

I will be a channel, not the source, in the name of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will always be my strength and guide, in the name of Jesus.

My gift will glorify Jesus alone, in the name of Jesus.

I will not misuse the grace given to me, in the name of Jesus.

I will finish my race strong and without pride, in the name of Jesus.

Final Takeaway

Your gift is a sacred trust. Pride will turn it into a snare, but humility will multiply its impact. The safest place for a spiritual gift is in the hands of a surrendered heart. Every time God uses you, remember, it’s His power, His grace, and His glory.

Action Step:

Today, thank God specifically for your gift, repent of any pride, and look for one opportunity to use your gift in a way that gives Him glory without seeking recognition.

Your gift is a doorway for God’s love to touch people, not a pedestal for self-exaltation. One day we will stand before the Lord, and He will not measure how many applauded us, but how faithfully we served Him. Ask the Holy Spirit daily to purify your motives and to keep your eyes on Jesus. This is how you will not only use your gift well but also hear the words every servant longs for, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”