Building Self vs. Building People

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to another Devotional Wednesday!

Let’s get to it ---

Building Self Vs. Building People

Scripture: 1st Corinthians 14

Observation: The Purpose of Spiritual gifts is for the building up of the Church, one another and to fulfill God’s Command to serve one another in Charity. God truly desires for his children to use and develop their spiritual gifts; However the spiritual gifts are not meant for one’s self alone, but for others. For example; in 1 Corinthians 14 St. Paul highlights how spiritual gifts can be used in edification of church and peoples in differing measures of necessity. Let’s look at the gift of prophecy vs. the gift of tongues.

When one speaks in tongues the Holy Spirit is praying and God alone is glorified to the blessing of the one speaking. If others are around they don’t understand and their fatih can not receive or agree with what they are hearing because they don’t understand. Interpretation is necessary with tongues. When one prophesies they speak to the hearing of and to the understanding of others, for the blessing of others not self.  Therefore it is then understood according to St. Paul that the gift of prophecy is more useful to the church than the gift of tongues and is more desirable.

Prophecy can convict a believer of sin and make known the presence of God’s power in a church, it can also witness God to the unbeliever. However the gift of tongues witness God to unbelievers and draws them to want to know more about God and Jesus.

Prophecy can keep a believer in church by conviction. While the Spiritual  gift of tongues can attract an unbeliever but can’t keep them without interpretation because of no understanding and lack of conviction ( Acts 2: 3-13).

Application to Life: Most Christians filled or with knowledge of the Holy Spirit can or come to be able to speak in tongue; it is an evidence of having the Holy Ghost. However, not every christian can prophesy because not everyone is anointed with it. Therefore the spiritual gifts one has or desires to have is by a measure of their faith as it grows. Spiritual gifts must be used to bless others and build God’s house.

Prayer: Oh Lord, God Almighty, bless me to be filled with the Holy Spirit that I may know my spiritual gift and begin to manifest to serve others and glorify your name. In Jesus Name,Amen.