The Daily Word: Sunday, August 22nd, 2021
Job 4:1-7:21
1 Corinthians 14:18-40
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 21:27
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet 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. – 1 Cor. 14:18-19
Spiritual gifts are not about you. They are for the “profit of all” (1 Cor. 12:7). In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul is explaining the utility of praying in tongues. He thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than everyone in the church at Corinth! But then he made a distinction in what was for him, versus what was for others. He “would rather speak five words [of prophecy]…than ten thousand words in a tongue” (v 19). Why? Because people who don’t know Jesus can’t interpret your tongues! But they can receive a word of knowledge or prophecy.
Everything you do in ministry should be for other people. Don’t pray that God will do something that will make you look good! Pray He will do something that will make Him look good. Whenever you exercise spiritual gifts,[1] the purpose is never to highlight you or your ministry! It is to highlight God’s faithfulness and His power.
…that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Cor. 2:5
Prayer:
Lord, use me! I pray Your Holy Spirit would move through me like never before. Speak in tongues through me! Speak in prophecy through me! But please let my ministry always and only be defined by what will lead people who don’t know Jesus straight to Him!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] See 1 Cor. 12:8-10