Daily Manna 30 September
KEY VERSE: “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” – (1 Corinthians 14:23)
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25
14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
21 In the law it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
One thing that is common in the secular world is the spirit of competition. There is that inner drive for self-projection and promotion. So, when people seek to acquire a new skill, educational qualifications, etc., it is primarily for the purpose of self-advancement and the actualisation of personal dream and ambition.
Believers at the church in Corinth had been known not to be behind in the manifestation of spiritual gifts. But apostle Paul began to observe that these gifts were not being used in the right way. It was no longer primarily for edification; that is, building up of the church, but to show that they had these gifts and could use them. He counsels them that while they desire to have spiritual gifts, it should not be for showmanship but for the edifying of the body of Christ. While in the church, they are to manifest only gifts like prophesy that will benefit the whole congregation.
Believers today need to be reminded of this fact. A lot of contemporary Christians are very desirous of spiritual gifts. They study, fast, pray, go to the mountains, etc. just to have these gifts. While it is good to seek spiritual gifts as the Bible enjoins us to, we must check what motivates us. Many desire spiritual gifts so that they can announce their “arrival” to the world. They want to be seen and revered as the “Man of God”! This is very sad. It is this wrong desire that has led so many into having and manifesting false spirits of divinations and lying wonders. Believers must beware!
Everyone who is born again, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit should strongly desire and pray for appropriate gifts that will help them fulfil their ministry in the body of Christ. However, we must guard against desiring these gifts for the purpose of self-projection and pride.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Holy Spirit does not project man but Christ alone!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Song 1-4
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Not For Showmanship – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 30 September 2021
