Episode 167: 1 Corinthians 14

Today's meditation is on 1 Corinthians Chapter 14

Love is my highest goal, but I am also passionate about spiritual gifts —especially the ability to prophesy. When I speak in tongues, I am speaking only to God, because people aren’t able to understand me. I speak by the power of Holy Spirit, but I am speaking intimate mysteries. But when I prophesy, I speak to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort. When I speak in tongues, I am personally strengthened, and advance my own spiritual progress. But when I speak a word of prophecy, I strengthen the entire church.

I wish everyone could speak in tongues, but even more, I wish everyone could impart prophetic revelation to others. For greater gain comes through prophecy than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what is said so that the whole church will be strengthened.

If I speak to someone in an unknown language, how does that help them? But if I bring a clear revelation from God, or some special knowledge or insight, or prophecy or teaching, I can enrich others. Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly. If they are out of tune, no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

It's the same for me. If I speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what I'm talking about? I might as well save my breath.

There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don’t understand a language, I will be like a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be like a foreigner to me. I am passionate about embracing the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and even more so about the things that strengthen the entire church.

When I do speak in tongues I pray also for the ability to interpret what I'm saying. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t have a clear understand what I am saying.

So I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing rapturous praises in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if I praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand me praise God along with me? How can they join me in giving thanks when they don’t understand what I am saying? I may be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear me.

I thank God that I speak in tongues. But in a church setting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. That way, I can have a role in teaching others. 

I am as innocent as a baby when it comes to evil, but I am mature in understanding matters of this kind. It is written in the Scriptures that God will speak to his people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But they will not listen.

Speaking publicly in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but a miracle for unbelievers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is a miracle sign for believers, and not unbelievers. Yet, even unbelievers can be convicted of sin and judged by prophecy. As they listen, they will be convicted by all that they hear and will be called to account, for the intimate secrets of their heart will be brought to light. They will be mystified and fall facedown in worship in the presence of God.

I will observe order in the church. Letting each person fill their assigned role, so that everything that is done strengthens the whole congregation. When I speak in tongues, if there is no interpreter present, I will speak privately to God.

If I receive a revelation from the Lord, I will take my turn to speak so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. Holy Spirit is a gentleman, and if I am used in the gift of prophecy, I am still in control of my spirit and I can take turns. If I have questions, I do not interrupt the meeting to ask. God's word didn't originate with me. I am not the only one to whom it has been given. God is a God of harmony, not confusion, as is the pattern in all the churches of God's holy believers.

I am passionate to prophesy, and to speak in tongues. But I make sure that I do all things in a beautiful and orderly way

Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.

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