QT 4/15/2025 1 Cor 14:10-15, What am I doing to build others up?

1 Corinthians 14:10–15 (ESV) —

10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

 

NOTE: I think the real problem was spiritual pride. The Corinthians saw tongues as a measure of spirituality. And there are two things wrong with their  eagerness, one, spiritual pride is not a good thing, and two, the more important thing is to build up others, not your own spiritual pride. The purpose of ministry is not to be seen and held up by the church. The purpose of positions are not to be seen and lauded by the church. Every ministry and every position should be for the good of the body.

 

We had a discipleship celebration a couple of nights ago. It was a chance for people to share things that God was doing in their lives. I wish we could do it more often. It is so encouraging to hear how God is working in other's lives. The sharing of that work, encourages and builds every member up.

 

How am I building others up in the church? The question is not, how am I using my spiritual gift. Too many people get hung up on finding their gift. My response to them is to serve. If you are serving, you will find your gift.

 

PONDER:

1. How am I building others up in the church?
2. Where do I allow myself to be puffed about responsibility or ministry involvement?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am the last person to rebuke a person for spiritual pride. I feel like I fail at that point constantly. I say things and then I wish I had never said that, because it was just spiritual pride. Forgive me for my sin and weakness. Help me to do a better job of listening to others and building them up. I don't have to tell my story every time another person tells theirs. I want to be more sensitive to your spirit's leading and more empathetic in my encounters with others.