Day 42 - 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

Terrie's Comments:
I once did a word study on the word "prophet, Prophesy, Prophesies etc" To speak prophesy simply means to be a messenger of God.  Most people who speak prophesies are simply passing along messages to others according to what God has given them to say.  This gift of the spirit is given to the body to strengthen, encourage and comfort.  If you have ever had anyone speak into your life with the exact right words at the right time and it felt like God was speaking right to you through them to strengthen, confirm, encourage or comfort you then it probably was God using them to speak to you.  


Paul isn't saying that speaking in tongues is bad, he is simply saying that tongues is used by God to build up our ourselves through the spirit.  words of prophecy are used to build up others and the body as a whole.  

Are we eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives or are we kind of scared to ask for them because God may ask us to use them then?  Words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophesy, tongues, healing, faith, teaching... these are just the ones on the top of my head that I a can remember that are mentioned in scripture.  The spirit gives us these gifts so we can do what God wants us to do.  We can do nothing that God asks us to do without fully relying on His power and strength.  
Tori's Comments:

I don't seem to have the same desires as Corinth. So I'm kind of reading this in a 'meh' mindset.  

But gifts that strengthen the whole church... they aren't for show or to impress people. That's why he went on and on about the importance of love at the beginning, I see that now. Love wins.



Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!