Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 14:20–25
God had Paul give further instruction to the church, as he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:20–25, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” God wants all believers to mature in their knowledge of Him and His Word. For any Christian to choose to remain immature and ignorant of God and His Word is a detriment to them and to the whole body of believers. When Christians gather together as a church, God wants His Word proclaimed not only for the edification of all the believers but also for any non-believers to have their hearts penetrated by the living Word of God (Hebrews 4:12) and their lives transformed by Him.
Challenge & Application
Why is the preaching of God’s Word so important to believers and to non-believers?
How has God used the preaching and teaching of His Word to mature you in your walk with Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!