Tuesday, July 18

Build up, stir up, warm up

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

Observation

Paul taught on the use and merits of speaking in tongues and prophecy in a church service. If speaking in tongues is not interpreted, only the speaker benefits; no one else understands and profits from it. But prophecy “speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and consolation.” The critical idea is that whatever we do must be understood to be beneficial—and benefiting others is the goal and purpose. 

I once heard someone translate these three terms as “build up, stir up and cheer up.” 

Prophecy is listening to God and saying what He says. It is speaking for God. When we do that, others benefit in these three ways: they are strengthened (edified), encouraged (helped) and consoled (comforted).

Application

Here’s a great goal for today: in all my interactions with others, listen for God’s word and speak it. If I do that well, others will be strengthened, encouraged and consoled. 

Compare that with Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:29 “You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Beneficial, building up, meeting needs, giving grace—that’s what I want my words to do today. 

Prayer: Lord, I love You. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer. Please use my words today to build up, stir up and cheer up others!

More: 2 Chronicles 9-10, John 18