Spiritual - Eagerness, and Discernment (1-4-2013)

January 4, 2013

14:32		先 知 的 靈 、 原 是 順 服 先 知 的 ．
14:33		因 為 　 神 不 是 叫 人 混 亂 、 乃 是 叫 人 安 靜 。

14:36		神 的 道 理 、 豈 是 從 你 們 出 來 麼 ． 豈 是 單 臨 到 你 們 麼 。
14:37		若 有 人 以 為 自 己 是 先 知 、 或 是 屬 靈 的 、 就 該 知 道 、 我 所 寫 給 你 們 的 是 主 的 命 令 。
14:38		若 有 不 知 道 的 、 就 由 他 不 知 道 罷 。
14:39		所 以 我 弟 兄 們 、 你 們 要 切 慕 作 先 知 講 道 、 也 不 要 禁 止 說 方 言 。
14:40		凡 事 都 要 規 規 矩 矩 的 按 著 次 序 行

³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. ³³ For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

   ³⁴ Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. ³⁵ If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

   ³⁶ Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

   ³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Paul exhorts Corinthians believers to understand what "being a prophet" or "gifted by the Spirit" should be looked like. Paul asserts that believers should pursue the gift of the Holy Spirit - "being spiritual" by the Spirit, but he also affirms that a spiritual person shall exhibit peace, and carry out ministry in an orderly way. In other words, the spirit of a spiritual person is subject to the control of the spiritual person. Besides, a spiritual person is able to discern Paul's instructions as the Lord's command. It indicates that a spiritual person is guided by the words of God and so exercises the spiritual gifts in God's way - in Corinthians church's setting is an orderly and peaceful way. 

My dear Holy Spirit, you are the One who empowers me with gifts but also guides me to minister according to words of God. I pray that I grow in my eagerness for pursuing the filling with the Holy Spirit but also in the discernment and wisdom of exercising my spiritual gifts for edifying people of God.