QT 4/14/2025 1 Cor 14:1-9, Sponges can be good or smelly

1 Corinthians 14:1–9 (ESV) —

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

 

NOTE: There are a couple of things of note. One, you can desire other spiritual gifts. You are not limited to the gift you receive at salvation. Also, when I consider the gifts, most gifts build up or help others, with the exception of tongues. Paul uses prophecy (I define as warning people of what the bible says about how to live life), but teaching, mercy, helps, evangelism, and others also have an outward focus. I suppose wisdom and knowledge, if kept to themselves, could be gifts that only help the person who has them, but not if the person is using them to teach others.

 

I believe I have a gift of teaching and possibly knowledge. I think God might be developing mercy in me, as hard things in my life have taught me to be empathetic to others.

 

The message here is that we need to make sure that we are not making noise but we are building others up.

 

PONDER:

1. Am I just a part of the babble, sharing things without listening to the Holy Spirit teach me?
2. Am I using my gift, or just a sponge that never gets used? How can I change that?

 

PRAYER: Father, sponges are great. They absorb things. But a sponge that is never used, stinks after a while. Father, I want to absorb the things you teach me, and then I want to use them to help others, to make things better. Help me to see those opportunities to use my spiritual gifts in new ways to help others to grow in their faith. Even as I watch my grandchildren, and am apparently used up in time, let me see the places where I can serve the body.