June 27 ESPECIALLY THAT YOU MAY PROPHESY Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching). 1Corinthians 14:1 AMP As children of God, we are to follow the way of love and earnestly or eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. The Apostle Paul was particular about the gift of prophecy. He said “…especially that you may prophesy”. You are to earnestly desire spiritual gifts especially that you may prophesy. Why the preference? Firstly, he who speaks in an unknown tongue (one of the spiritual gifts to be earnestly desired) speaks not unto men but unto God. So, he’s not understood by any man (1Cor. 14:2). But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men for edification, and exhortation, and comfort (1Cor. 14:3). In other words, he who prophesies speaks unto men. Through prophecy, he edifies, exhorts and comforts men. The man who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself while the man who prophesies edifies the church; therefore, the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongue unless he interprets, so that the church can be edified (1Cor. 14:4, 5). “Especially that you may prophesy” so that the church can be edified: When the church is edified, you too are edified because you are part of the church. You are edified, others are edified too. But if you only speak in tongues, you will be edified but the church will not be edified. Therefore, it is better to prophesy than to speak in tongue. This is the more reason Paul instructed “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret” (1Cor 14:13). Tongue plus interpretation equals prophecy. In conclusion, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongue (1Cor. 14:39). Prayer I earnestly desire spiritual gifts and especially that I may prophesy. I receive and cultivate the gift of prophecy in Jesus’ name.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 11:55:01 +0000