1 Corinthians 14:1-5

                                                             1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.  For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.  On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.  The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.  Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

 

All that God gives us through His Spirit is good.  However, because of our sinfulness, as we receive blessings from the Spirit, we can become proud or use those blessing in selfish ways.  Certain gifts from God are more impressive, and therefore, more attractive to us.  However, these may not be the most important from God’s perspective.  Paul wants to make God’s priorities very clear to us so we can know what is truly important.

 

LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GIFTS: Love is to be pursued while gifts are to be desired.  Something that we are to pursue takes priority over something that we desire.  Both are good, both are important, but one is more important and should be the focus of our efforts to build in life.  We can desire gifts that will be of benefit to the body of Christ and trust the Lord’s wisdom as to whether He will grant those gifts or not.  Some people will have certain gifts, while others will not or will have them in a different proportion.  However, it is God’s will that all believers everywhere live and walk in love.

 

PROPHESY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TONGUES: The gift of prophesy is to more highly desired than the gift of tongues because of the focus of the gift.  When a person speaks in tongues, they are edified by their speaking to God.  When a person prophesies, others are edified.  The edification of others is to be more highly desired than the edification of self.  The only way that tongues can be used to edify the body of Christ is if there is an interpreter who can translate what is being said so all can understand.  Paul recognizes that tongues is an uttering of “mysteries in the Spirit.”  A person might be edified through this gift in their private prayer life in communication with God.  However, the usefulness in a public setting would depend on an interpreter.

 

APPLICATION: Strive to develop a deeper love for others and pursue ways of showing that love to them.  Desire gifts according to the way the buildup others and strengthen the body of Christ.  Don’t make our own experience or edification a priority over the edification of others.

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