2 Chronicles 10-12, 1 Corinthians 141: 1-19, Psalm 119: 105-112
1 Corinthians 14: 3-4 (ESV)
“On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people
for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a
tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.”
Verses 3 and 4 from 1 Corinthians 14 shows Paul talking
about the differences between the people who can prophesy and those can speak
in tongues. If you have the gift of speaking in tongues, you are speaking to God
and building yourself up in your relationship with God. If you have the gift of
being able to prophesy, you build the church up and encourage and console other
people.
I did not think I had the gift of speaking in tongues, but I
had some friends pray for me and I received this gift. It’s a new thing for me
and I’m not even sure I’m doing it right, but I do understand what Paul means
when this gift builds you up. When I speak in tongues I speak to God, and I am
assuming he knows what I’m saying and what is in my heart.
I’ve been in services where people burst out prophesying,
and whatever they say is always to specific people or about the church. For people,
it’s almost all the time words of encouragement for their life, their afflictions,
or whatever they are going through at the time. For the church, it’s always about
what the church needs to focus on and what people need to do to get closer to
God. I love the spontaneity of people who prophesy. It feels as if the words
are flowing out of the person uncontrollably, and sometimes looks like the person
doesn’t even know what they are saying. It’s an amazing phenomenon and I feel
blessed whenever I am a witness to this kind of event.
If have a spiritual gift, do not be afraid of it. Cultivate
it because whatever your spiritual gift is, God gave it to you to serve him and
his plan in the world.
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