CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
1 Corinthians 14:18-19
The Apostle Paul brings his teaching on “speaking in tongues” together in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 as he does not discount the spiritual gift but claims it for himself. This brings to light his words in 1 Corinthians 13:1 as he began this teaching on “speaking in tongues” with his focus being not on the gift but on the love of God being present in all spiritual gifts. He states (NKJV), “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” He ties that together with his comment in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19, “18I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” Paul is obviously not against the gift of speaking in tongues as he claims to have the same gift, however, he is striving to get the congregation of the church at Corinth to refocus on using this gift properly.
This is a promise that there is a proper time and place to utilize our God-given gifts.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares, “to everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”. It may be that the congregation of the church at Corinth had become so excited about the gift of speaking in tongues that they celebrated it publicly with emphasis on it so all could see God’s Holy Spirit working in their lives. It’s a great thing to express to others the spiritual gifts that God gives us, but if they are being utilized in a way that no one benefits from them, then we are doing no good thing to further the kingdom of God. This is why Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:19, “19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
Dear LORD,
We are so thankful for the spiritual gifts that You give us. Please help us to utilize them in ways that are beneficial to the edifying of the church and that we would all bring glory to You through our lives – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.