November 22, 2025 -Spiritual Gifts

1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-15:58

Chronological Bible Readings

^{1 Corinthians 14:3} But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

Modern day prophets are given their gift for the purpose of strengthening others, encouraging them and comforting them. This spiritual gift is intended to be a blessing for the entire body of Christ. I think that some people see the gift of prophecy through the lens of the Old Testament prophets that gave new revelation and visions of things to come.

^{1 Corinthians 14:6} Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. ⁷ Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. ⁸ And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

But Paul talks of prophecy as being a special understanding of God's word and a teaching that is God inspired and is intended to guide and edify the church. In the early church there were those who were given prophetic words such as in Revelation, but it was not the norm. Paul is talking about spiritual gifts so they are potentially available to all believers. Big difference from the Old Testament. If you look at Paul's writings, they were God inspired and therefore prophetic words. All the New Testament writers are doing just what Paul is talking about here. Sharing God inspired teachings with a special knowledge and understanding that they are sharing with the body of Christ. So, I guess you could call the New Testament one large book of prophetic writings. With the book of Revelation being the final book of prophecy.

^{1 Corinthians 14:27} No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. ²⁸ But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

This makes me think of the churches that push the gift of tongues where people are just shouting out in "tongues" and falling on the ground "slain in the spirit". I have talked to people who were part of churches like that who admitted that they felt like they had to speak in tongues so they would fake it. Paul is very clear here that if a spiritual gift like speaking in tongues is present in a meeting that it should only be audible if there is someone with the gift of interpretation of tongues is present to enhance the worship for the body. Otherwise speaking in tongues is personal and private thing that should kept between you and God. There was a lady in our church who told me that she has the gift of tongues. It was her own personal prayer language with God. Never once did she start speaking in tongues during a service. But I did see her before church and during church earnestly praying silently or very quietly in tongues. I believed her and trusted that it truly was a spiritual gift of hers because of her understanding and biblical use of the gift. She in no way tried to use her gift to make herself look like a special believer because of her gift.

^{1 Corinthians 14:33} For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

I am glad to read this also. There is to be some order in service and in the working of the church. I am an outside the box kind of person who is perfectly comfortable with spontaneous things happening and I do believe that when the Spirit is in control, spontaneous things can and do happen, but it should not become a goal. It should only be to encourage, strengthen and comfort the body of Christ as lead by the Spirit.

^{1 Corinthians 15:58} So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.