“But one and the same Spirit works all things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” I Corinthians 12:11
Paul says that the nine manifestations (or gifts) of the Spirit would be distributed as the Holy Spirit wills, or as He sees fit. The word “wills” means to have a purpose or the mind to deliberately act. His will also refers of the Holy Spirit’s desire or affection. While we can make ourselves available to the Holy Spirit, the manifestations do not belong to us, they belong to the Spirit. While a person may tend to experience moving in one or two of the Gifts of the Spirit more often that any of the others, it does not mean that those gifts are assigned to that person. Any available believer can operate in any of the gifts (or manifestations) that are needed at the moment, as the Spirit wills.
In regard to the gifts of any ministry of the Holy Spirit, we must remember that we work together with the Holy Spirit, not on our own. We are not leading Him, but He is leading us. He will use us to minister His anointing, but we are not the executor of the anointing; the Holy Spirit is the executor. He is the power. Without Him can do nothing.
Sometimes we minister to others acting on what we know is God’s will in the Bible. We know it is His desire to save, to heal, and to empower. The power of God is within us, ready to back up the authority we have over sin, sickness and lack. However, like Jesus, we always lean on the Holy Spirit. Jesus went where the Spirit led Him, He said what the Spirit anointed Him to say, and He did what the Spirit led Him to do. We don’t direct the Holy Spirit. We are not the director of the power; we are the vessels of the power. We are either yielded or resistant to Him, but we are not in charge. We must learn to follow the Holy Spirit.
The Father is eager to show Himself to people who are open to receive. God didn’t send His Son to the cross so He could keep it a secret. The Holy Spirit knows how to work the supernatural and prepare the human heart. Hebrews 2:4, “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts (distributions) of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.” The word for gifts is the Greek word merismos, which means a “distribution of various kinds.” He does so according to His will – His purpose and His desire. Live with spiritual eyes and ears open, always looking to the Holy Spirit and listening for His voice. Be ready to believe, ready to serve, and ready to receive.
Application: The anointing is for serving others, not for promoting ourselves. Ask the Lord to lead you to someone ready to receive, and serve the Lord in ministry with the Holy Spirit.