DCLM Daily Manna 21 February 2022 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Use God’s Gifts Wisely
TOPIC: Use God’s Gifts Wisely
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
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.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
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.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
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.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
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.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
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?
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:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (1 Corinthians 14:19)
MESSAGE:
The arrival of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost marked the beginning of a new era. It was in fulfilment of the Lord’s promises to send “another Comforter”. It also marked the beginning of the “latter days”. The 120 disciples, who tarried in Jerusalem as the Lord had commanded, were all baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Apostle Paul, in our text, gave instructions to the Church on the proper usage of the gift of speaking in other tongues. He counsels the Church to specialise in prophesying to edify the brethren rather than speaking in a language people will not understand except there is an interpreter. A person speaking in unknown tongues will look like “a Barbarian” to an audience that does not understand him. So it is better to speak a few meaningful words that edify than “ten thousand words in an unknown tongue”.
The essence of communication is to convey messages that can be understood. If the message is not clear or understandable, then that essence is lost. In many assemblies, language churches are established to make the message of God clearer to those who may not understand English. God wants us to understand His purpose for us so that we can benefit from His power, mercy and grace.
Speaking in tongues, therefore, is not for showmanship or a mark of high spiritual attainment. Since the mysteries of God may be revealed through tongues, believers are admonished to “forbid not to speak with tongues”, but to ensure it is done decently and in order.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Make your message simple and understandable.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Judges 11-13
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
