What Did You Say?

Paul has given us a list of gifts given us by the Holy Spirit.

He then takes us from that list of gifts and informs us that the gifts are good and beneficial but what is required more than anything is love.

The church in Corinth seemed to be focused on the gift of tongues but Paul wants them to understand that tongues is not the most desirable…

1 Corinthians 14:1–25 CSB

1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 2 For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. 4 The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up. 6 So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? 8 In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. 21 It is written in the law, I will speak to this people by people of other tongues and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to me, says the Lord. 22 Speaking in tongues, then, is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in tongues and people who are outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and is called to account by all. 25 The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”

We should be excited about our spiritual gift but love should be our priority.

Paul tells us to “eagerly desire” spiritual gifts.

We should want to know what our spiritual gifts are - if you do not know you should seek to find out.

While we are to desire gifts we are to “pursue” love - pursue or follow the way of love.

Think of love as a power boost - the fullness of God shines through when we use out gifts in love, love for the church and not for self.

We are about to find out why Paul says that love should be out priority.

If you have to choose, choose prophecy.

First, lets define prophecy - to speak under the influence of divine inspiration, with or without reference to future events - to make inspired utterances.

Prophecy is not necessarily telling about future events, it is nor fortune telling. Overall revelation regarding God, Jesus and the plans of God toward mankind is closed - anyone who says they have a new word from the Lord to add to scripture is at best, wrong but in truth they are lying.

Could God give you a word from the Lord that is for someone that speaks to their personal future… sure, but…

Paul seems to be more concerned with speaking the biblical truth of the gospel.

He is not just talking about preachers or preaching but prophecy in some respects is similar to modern day preaching.

Speaking the truth of God strengthens, encourages and brings consolation.

Paul isn’t against speaking in tongues in this passage but he clarifies that tongues is a personal gift unless there is interpretation.

Prophecy is for the people, it build up the church.

Sometimes less is more.

I love how Paul says it - “I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach other’s also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

We often feel the need to fill blank spaces with words.

I had a professor tell us once that if you can’t say it in 20-25 minutes you are saying too much.

When we speak the truth of God unbelievers will hear and be changed.