Father God, in this chapter (14) of 1 Corinthians You are instructing us concerning the gifts of the Spirit that are for building up the church. May we receive Your instruction, for it is for the benefit of building up Your kingdom so that more souls come into it. We want our lost loved ones to come in, Praise God!
Tongues
The gift of tongues is for speaking to God.
The one speaking in a tongue utters mysteries by the Spirit.
Anyone that speaks in a tongue edifies oneself.
When praying in tongues, your spirit prays, but your mind is unfruitful
Someone speaking in tongues does not speak to people. No one understands him. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You’ll just be speaking into the air.
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers.
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
Lord, may we not neglect the gift of tongues for it is for speaking to You and the Spirit uttering mysteries. It is for our own personal edification. We need to be strong in You to be effective prayer warriors and soul winners.
Prophesy
Those that prophesy speak to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort and edify the church.
Prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
If an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
LORD, may we take full advantage to receive from the gift of prophesy for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of the body as well as edification. We pray for our lost loved ones, that by the hearing of Your Word through this gift they be convicted of sin, as the secrets of their heart are laid bare. We pray they will fall down and worship You, and be convinced of Your presence.
Tongues and prophesy
The Apostle Paul thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than all the others, but in the church he preferred to speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
It is good for every one to speak in tongues, but it’s preferable to prophesy.
The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,
unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified by bringing:
some revelation
or knowledge
or prophesy
or word of instruction.
Lord, encourage Your people by Your Spirit to seek You concerning not only the gift of tongues, but to pray for the gift of interpretation. We desire to receive what revelation, knowledge, prophesy, or word of instruction You have for us. We need all You have for us to better equip us to be better witnesses for You and to be used by You to win the lost.
For this reason if you speak in a tongue, you should pray that you interpret what was spoken. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, someone else cannot say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying. You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
So what shall you do?
Pray with your spirit, but also pray with your understanding.
Sing with your spirit, but I also sing with your understanding.
Think like adults.
In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
LORD, teach us to pray with our spirit and also with our understanding, and to sing with our spirit, and also with our understanding. Help us to think like adults.
Coming Together
Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
When coming together, each one has:
A hymn
A word of instruction
A revelation
If a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
A tongue and interpretation.
One, and at the most three, should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Prophesy
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. All can prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
LORD, when as Your body of believers we come together, may Your church heed Your command to do everything as You will so that the church be built up, through worship, instruction, revelation, and prophesy. To benefit the church it should be done as You say, in a fitting and orderly way. Yes, LORD, Your instructions are set for our benefit, and for the benefit to bring in the lost, and our lost loved ones.
Women
Women should remain silent in the churches, they are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
Father, this Scripture is seldom, if ever, expounded on at church. Women should do everything You say, for the sake of allowing You to work in all our lives to fulfill Your purpose and will for our benefit and our families. And it is Your will that none should perish but come to the knowledge of the truth, repent and be saved through faith in Your Son, the Lord Jesus. This is our prayer, LORD, for our lost loved ones, that they be saved. Thank You, LORD, in Jesus name, Amen.
From 1 Corinthians 14
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