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1 Corinthians 14:4
He who speaks in a tongue
edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies
the church.
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August 30
Miraculous Gifts
It would be a disservice to
pretend to solve the issue of the miraculous
gifts that are prevalent in Pentecostal and
charismatic churches today. Numerous books
have been written and dividing lines are still
drawn.
Paul is not denouncing the
use on tongues in this verse because he too speaks
in tongues and he continues in verse five
wishing they would all speak in tongues, but
would rather have them prophesy.
Paul's point is that gifts
are meant to edify God and the church. As
the church was being established miraculous
gifts were clearly used to demonstrate that what
was happening was of God. Now that the
church has been established, such proof may or
may not be needed today. Perhaps it is
useful in places where the church is still being
established and not useful in other locations.
We must be careful that we don't tell God what
he can and can't do.
That being said, we need to
remember the purpose of spiritual gifts.
They are to bring glory to God. Some, but
certainly not all, who claim to perform miracles
do so for their own glory because God has gifted
them in such a way. But all gifts are
gifts of God and none are greater than others,
even miraculous ones. And all are to be
used for His glory. |
