ESOCS Devotional 28 September 2025 – How to go from Good to Better to Best
MEMORY VERSE: “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 14:22-40
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.
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
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Seek the gifts that build up the Church. That was Paul’s answer to believers who wanted to see the Holy Spirit in their lives. Praying in tongues is wonderful, but prophesying is better. A person speaking in their own prayer language is built up, but a person sharing intelligible truth builds up many more than just himself.
Paul encourages us to press forward from good to better to best. While some people might seek notoriety from their own spiritual accomplishment, it is better to help move others forward in their walk with God. As we seek God’s Kingdom, we will not be left without. Rather, God is able to multiply blessings far beyond just us. His generosity knows no bounds.
God is able to multiply blessing far beyond just us. His generosity knows no bounds. The Christian life is not about our glory or advancement. Jesus said we are to lay down our lives for Him and others. The two greatest commandments we can follow are: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30). There’s nothing in there about taking care of myself or making sure I am given credit.
True believers are unselfish and concerned with seeking God’s Kingdom first, knowing that all the rest will be added to them as well (Matthew 6:33).
CHALLENGES
- Where do you seek credit in your life?
- What is a better way to love others?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, help me to seek only things that are above, help me to seek to better others’ lives, as I grow in you. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 9:15-28; Isaiah 54:15-17; Revelations 12:12-17
ESOCS Devotional 28 September 2025
