Paul’s focus in 1 Corinthians 14 is the conduct of his readers in their corporate meetings. An intriguing feature of the scenario that Paul addresses in the Corinthian church is that it seems to be possible to use a legitimate spiritual gift in the wrong way. At least some of the Corinthian Christians were showcasing speaking in tongues, a gift for private worship, to prove their own allegedly superior state of spirituality. So, a gift made for humble worship becomes a tool of pride. This scenario underlines the responsibility we have to use our gifts in the right way. Just because you feel like doing something does not mean that it is the right thing to do. The key question that Paul wants us to ask is: How is this going to benefit other people? This is why Paul prefers the gift of prophecy. But even prophecy can be used selfishly. It is important that we are always other-people focused in the exercise of our gifts. It is all too tempting for us to do things to impress people rather than bless them. What is sometimes done in the guise of a blessing can actually be an attempt to impress someone. Your motives in this respect will make a lot of difference to the content and manner of your words and actions. If you are focused on the other person, you are more likely to give them what they need. But, if you are focused on yourself, you will most likely give them what you want to display in yourself.
Ask God to help you be more focused on the needs of others.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 again
