“Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:20-21).

No matter how you speak, there are those who will not have ears to hear. Do not be childish about things. Worse yet, do not pretend ignorance. We are called to mature in thought, word, and deed. Be firm in your faith and speak from knowledge. Do not back away from the truth you have received, but live in it, grow and mature. In the Lord is all hope. Live in Him fully.

Lord, You know where I need to be matured. Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth that I would live into the life You have given me by grace. Let me not remain content with where I am, but instead lead me into growing maturity that I may not be childish. Keep me from that place where I ignore evil and pretend it does not exist. In all things, help me to see through the temptations of this age.

Lord Jesus, without You, these things would be impossible. With You, all things are possible. Guide me in the way You would have me go that I may now and always look to You as the example. Teach me to listen to Your Spirit that I may grow in understanding. In all things, take me where You know I need to go that I may be faithful in this call You have given me, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

“For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:17-18).

It often happens that the primary sin of pride enters and the old Adam comes to life (knowing the old Adam is not dead in us in this age). We then think of ourselves and then justify our actions inwardly. We are called to die to self and think of the other before ourselves. Do not get caught up in self-think, but in the Spirit of the Lord who will use all things to edify His body, the church.

Lord, convict me when I am caught up in myself. Help me in those times where You have given me a task and I run off in my own direction. Guide me to be aware of whom You are making me to be and to live into the life of faith to which You have called me. Guide me now and always that in all I do I would live knowing that it is You who is Lord, not me. Lead my new heart into You.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior and You know I need to be saved. Guide me, O Lord, that I may now and always abide in Your goodness. Help me to see through the temptations that come my way. Guide me to live for others, loving them and learning to love as You love. Grant this new heart You have given me by grace through faith would always abide in You, doing what is pleasing to the Father. Amen.

“What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?” (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)

We begin with the old Adam who thinks of the self and moves in the way of the self. When the Spirit is in our lives, we do not loose the self, but the self is enhanced so that it is both the self and the Spirit. If you pray with the tongues of angels, it is the Spirit who intercedes. Join in what the Lord is doing that others may join with you in praise which belongs to the Lord alone.

Lord, keep me from those moments where I am seeking glory. In all that You give for me to do, may my praise and adoration point to You. It is You who makes all of these things possible. Guide me into understanding that I would magnify You in all things knowing that apart from You I can do nothing. Lead me, O Lord, and I will be led. Speak through me and teach me to join You and not the other way round.

Lord Jesus, You constantly showed humility and gave all credit to the Father. Help me to follow Your example that I would be guided by Your Spirit in all things. Keep me from the temptation that because I say or do anything, it is done solely on my ability. It is not. In You all things are possible. Teach me to be like You, O Lord, that I would grow in Your likeness day by day. Amen.

“Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:13-14).

I suspect even Paul joins us in trying to figure out how the Lord works. The Holy Spirit blows where it will. This should be enough from Jesus for us. However, the principle that we are given through the Word is that all things have a purpose and we should not just do things without purpose. At all times, we need the help of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, even in this devotion am I doing the very thing that Paul does in speaking of the mystery of You working in each one of us? Help all of us to trust You, live by faith, and see the work that You are doing in each one of us. Lead Your faithful beyond speculation and meaninglessness to see that there is great purpose in all that You do. You are creating a marvelous thing through grace.

Lord Jesus, You said the words simply for all of us to understand. We are blind and You give us sight. We are lame and You make us to walk. We think of ourselves and You show us those around us. Help me learn, even in times where my mind is unfruitful, to walk in the faith You have given me, doing those things You give me to do that I may live pleasing the Father. Amen.

“If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:11-12).

The purpose of all the movement of the Spirit is not for your sake, but for the sake of the body which is being built by the One who makes all things. Keep this in mind lest you give into the temptation of thinking more of yourself than you ought. Give thanks that the Lord has equipped you for the tasks He gives you. Know that He who is saving you knows what you need before you ask.

Lord, help me to see that all that I am is because of who You are. You have created me to fulfill Your will. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may now and always live in Your presence, doing what is according to Your will. Help me resist any temptation which would take me out of Your will that I may always abide in You as You abide in me. Abide in me for Your glory.

Come, Holy Spirit, and not only empower me to do what You have called me to do, but also to remain fully in You and not see any of Your working through me as anything other than faithfulness. Thank You for the gifts You give. Guide me according to the Father’s will to live into this life to which You have called and empowered me to live for the sake of the Gospel. Amen.

“So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning” (1 Corinthians 14:9-10).

The Lord does not want to make us great to impress other people. He gives the gifts He gives that His will might be done, and others join in coming to Him. Do not think too highly of any abilities you have, but use all the Lord has given you for His purpose. Walk humbly with the Lord and be all He is creating you to be. We need to help others understand as we ourselves have received understanding.

Lord, help me to be teachable and to be one who is willing to teach, Guide me in the way of goodness that I would walk humbly in Your sight and use all You have given me for Your glory. Guide me, O Lord ,that I may now and always walk in Your presence as one who is Your servant. Keep me from pride that I would simply use all You have given to Your glory always.

Lord Jesus, You have shown us by Your example how to walk in this world, listening to the Father and doing what He gives us to do. Let me not be caught up in the ways of this world which seek notoriety, but instead receive a humbleness of purpose which sees that You are equipping each of Your saints for the task at hand. May I walk in Your example and do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.  

“Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:7-8)

In this world, there is the tendency to not be whom the Lord made us to be. Each person is distinct and wonderfully made. Do not hide behind complacency, but become who you have been made to be. Play your instrument, so to speak, with distinction and clarity that others may know you belong to the Lord.

Lord, help me to see more clearly where I bury Your light in me under a bushel basket. Help me learn to let the light of Your presence shine in me, Keep me from hiding within complacency that I may learn to humbly yet boldly be whom You are making me to be. You have called for those who follow You to not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Lord Jesus, You have come into the world to save all those who turn to You and believe. Remove my doubts and fears that I would play the tunes You have given me to play. Help me to be persistent that I would be led by Your goodness and mercy and share the same with others. Through Your presence in my life, lead me in the upward call You have given me to be all You know I can be. Amen.

“Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?” (1 Corinthians 14:5-6).

We combat pride in us, but may be tempted to want to be greater because of ability and then have others acknowledge this. Because this is what we are combating, see then that any gift the Spirit gives us is for the edification of the church. Do not be driven by self, but by the Lord and how He will use what He gives you for the body of Christ. Seek the good gifts for His sake and not your own.

Lord, continue to work on my heart that I would learn to walk humbly with You and serve my neighbor as You lead. Guide me to understand that I will not be greater or lesser, but faithful when I follow You. Help me to see through the temptations of this world that I may be equipped to do even greater things. May I learn humility in my serving Your people as I am empowered by You to do so.

Lord Jesus, all things are in Your hands, yet You emptied Yourself to become fully human. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may serve You with my whole heart. Guide me along right paths to not fall into the pit of arrogance, nor think anything other than what You think of all I do. Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I would grow in becoming like You. Amen.

“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church” (1 Corinthians 14:3-4).

Do you hear the message? It is not about you or me. It is about what the Lord is doing. Be guided not by your own ambition, but by the Lord who will lead those who humbly submit to Him. Come then and know that the Lord is the One who saves and He will lift up those who will live with Him, shaping them into and for His body. Seek what the Lord will give and be content in Him.

Lord, open my mind to see more of the revelation You have given. Guide me with understanding to be able to give an account of the hope that is within me. Send me as one who gives consolation to those in need, In all things, be the One who is leading me that I may be Your instrument now and always. Let me never only edify myself, but edify Your people through all that I say and do.

Lord Jesus, You have come to disciple all who will follow You in the way of eternal life. You know what I need. You know what You will give me. You know what needs to decrease and what needs to increase. Lead me, Lord, and help me to get out of the way that You would increase and I would decrease. In all things, guide me that I may be what You are creating me to be in You. Amen.

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2).

This is not a call to go into spiritual ecstasy, but to seek the deeper things of God. Have you ever listened to a lecture of one who seemed way above your head? Was it not that they seemed to be speaking in a foreign language? Learn the language of the Lord that You may grow closer to Him. Seek what He will give you to understand that You may learn His will.

Lord, I look at these things through the eyes of pride. Help me instead to see all things through Your eyes. Guide me in the way of truth that I would learn to live and love as You would have me live and love. Help me to not be contented with what I have learned, but strive for the greater portion which You offer freely. Lead me in the way of truth that I may learn to think and speak in the heavenly tongue.

Holy Spirit, where there are issues of pride in my heart, slay them. Where there are obstacles that keep me from pursuing the greater portion You offer, remove them. Guide me deeper into the faith You give with a willingness to learn the heavenly language to be able to speak of the truth which You have revealed through the One who is our Savior. Guide me as I need to be guided. Amen.