Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 14:1–5
When someone surrenders to Christ as Lord and Savior, God the Holy Spirit fills that new believer with His presence. The Holy Spirit also gives that new believer spiritual gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12:11). We also know that God gives us the fullness of His love through His Holy Spirit in us (Romans 5:5). As God led Paul to continue to write to the believers in Corinth, we read in 1 Corinthians 14:1–5, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.” God wants us to mature in the gifts He has given us, and He definitely wants us to pursue the love He has poured out into us. Love, as we saw in 1 Corinthians 13, is above all else—that is why Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37–40 that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. God wants us all to prophesy, not telling the future, but proclaiming Christ through His Word.
Challenge & Application
What spiritual gifts has God the Holy Spirit given you and how are you using them to serve others?
How are you pursuing your love for God and your love for others as God has commanded?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!