How you doin? Today is a bitter sweet day. My cousin Chuck's birthday (40th) and the anniversary of my mom's death (15th). It's hard to believe she's been gone for so long. It's also hard to believe my cousin, who's like a brother to me, is that old. 1 Corinthians 14 today.
Verse 1, "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." What a loaded verse. "Follow the way of love". God is love. Jesus is love. Jesus is called the "Way". "Eagerly desire spiritual gifts". WOW!!!!!!! I love how these 2 things go together here. Following the way of love and eagerly desiring spiritual gifts. "Especially the gift of prophecy". Stacey is very prophetic. We are both very interested in spiritual gifts. When we read these verses in the past, we started praying for God to increase our desire for spiritual gifts.
The rest of this chapter goes on explaining the importance of prophecy. Verse 3, "But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort." I've never spoken or prayed in tongues. I'm not discouraged by this whats so ever. Verse 4, "Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church."
Without quoting every verse in this chapter, I'll say that Paul makes it clear that prophecy is better for the body of Christ and tongues is better for the individual, unless their is an interpreter. Spiritual gifts that interest me are prophecy and discerning of spirits. If the Holy Ghost offers me tongues, I'll certainly welcome that.
Without quoting every verse in this chapter, I'll say that Paul makes it clear that prophecy is better for the body of Christ and tongues is better for the individual, unless their is an interpreter. Spiritual gifts that interest me are prophecy and discerning of spirits. If the Holy Ghost offers me tongues, I'll certainly welcome that.
Prophecy edifies, strengthens, encourages, and comforts people. This sounds like it falls in line with love. I would think that if God feels as though I need to edify myself, He'll give me the gift of tongues. My heart for ministering is for the believer who doesn't receive the fullness of Christ in them. Prophecy certainly serves that ministry.
Verses 18-20, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." To me love is holding someone's well being in higher regard then my own. Tongues is for me... prophecy is for people. That's a good word.
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." To me love is holding someone's well being in higher regard then my own. Tongues is for me... prophecy is for people. That's a good word.
This is an intense subject as many are. I would never come up against tongues. I understand that there are 2 meanings of tongues, 1) spiritual language (prayer) and 2) different languages. It's important to know which one we are talking about. This chapter really makes things clear to me. The bottom line is- 1) follow the way of Love (Jesus), 2) desire gifts of the Spirit, 3) especially prophecy. Determine what gifts of the Spirit you desire today.
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