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.
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| Spiritual gifts |
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).
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 prophecy that will benefit the whole congregation.
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| Praying for spiritual gifts |
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
Decorum in church worship
1. Christians should not be satisfied without the gifts of the Spirit. They should desire them as a Christian who wants to go far in the heavenly race.
1Cor.14.14 - For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
2. Speaking in tongues is good and edifies or build up the speaker in the spirit; but it should only be in private communion with God and not in public worship except there is interpretation.
1Cor.14.2 - For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Cor.14.4 - He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1Cor.14.13 - Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue that he may interpret.
3. Mere speaking in tongues in public without interpretation is a violation of divine and natural principle of communication.
1Cor.14.9 - So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
1Cor.14.19 - Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
4. There are some Spirit energised or imparted worship actions that are only good for private worship and not public worship like speaking in tongues. Bringing private into public is lack of decorum. Some dances are only good for private worship.
5. The only acceptable public attitude, utterances or actions that are acceptable in public worship is that which build up others spiritually otherwise, it should be privatised.
1Cor.14.12 - Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1Cor.14.19 - Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
6. The manifestations of spiritual gifts in public worship should not even look abnormal, disorderly and indecent to unbelievers.
1Cor.14.23 - 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?
1Cor.14.24 - But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
There should be self control and orderliness with decency.
7. The most important gift in public worship is the gift of prophesy because it edifies the saints that hears it.
1Cor.14.1- Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1Cor.14. 5 - I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
8. The effectiveness of Prophesy is known by the edification, exhortation and comfort it gives to the recipients and not by the bodily composure or voice projection of the prophet.
1Cor.14.2 - For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
1Cor.14.19 - Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
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