King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Sunday, December 03, 2023
Chapters: I CORINTHIANS 12-14
Message: No Babbling
Hello My Friend,
I am not going to lie, it was not easy getting this devotional written, it was not the content that was giving me a hard time with writing it, it was that my mind had too many things going on inside of it to pay attention to how the Holy Spirit wanted me to say it. Then as I was reading the chapters, this passage came to mind, [Genesis 11:6-9 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.]
There was a very good reason for God to confound man’s speech, which literally means to cause one to be baffled in what someone else is saying. God, confounded all mankind with different languages in order to keep them from being corrupted, which is why some people speak English, some Spanish, some French, some Italian, and so on and so forth. Think about it, the Quran is known as the “holy” book for Muslims, in which the majority of them speak Arabic, we would get corrupted by their teachings if we understood them. Well, God, has done the same thing with His Word. Jesus, said it this way, [Matthew 13:11-12 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.]
In order to truly understand what the Bible says we first need to be willing accept that it was written by God for His people, not the world, not religion, but the very people who sincerely want Him in their lives. Those who want God in their lives will understand that they are sinners headed straight for hell, but from the very start of mankind, God would send His Son to save them from ending up there. As we continue in the reading of 1 Corinthians, Paul, goes on to remind them and all of us that every saved, born again Christian is of God.
[1 Corinthians 12:1-8 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;]
[the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge] There is a difference between being wise and having knowledge, everyone may know, [John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.] but not everyone uses that knowledge properly. The world and worldly Christian will be the first to cry, “Don’t judge me!” upon the knowledge of, [Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.], but the wise will be the ones who properly discern that all saints are to judge by righteous judgment, [John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.]
In order to be wise in the knowledge of God it would require one; the Holy Spirit and two; to actually get into His Word and study it in order to make the proper judgments according to the Scriptures. Do you think that the Old Testament would be attached if He did not want us to know what brought us to where we are today? Every single believer of the Gospel receives that Holy Spirit inside of them and He is the one who brings us all together as one. Paul, goes on to literate that it is the Holy Spirit who brings us all together.
[1 Corinthians 12:11-14,17-18 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.]
[one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.] If we want the power of the Holy Spirit to shine through us, then we need to listen to Him, as He really does know what He is talking about. It not only profits us, it will profit others as well, especially God, for which purpose we are given these gifts. While some of us have different abilities than others, it is actually the least of the members that make the biggest impact. What do I mean by that? Never underestimate the black sheep, the least likely to succeed, the ones with the lowest scores, the ones who might not look like much. Let me tell you, faith can only do so much, we can move mountains by our faith, but if we do not have love as Christ loves, not of that will make a difference in our lives.
[1 Corinthians 12:22-26,28 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.]
[members should have the same care one for another.] Faith; Hope; Love; these actions are the focal point of true Christianity. Now, regardless of our faithfulness to God, every Christian rests on faith, hope, and the love that Christ bestows upon us through our faith in Him alone. However, to the worldly Christian their perception of faith, hope, and love is all together different from those of the conservative Christian. Let me tell you, faith can only do so much, we can move mountains by our faith, but if we do not have love as Christ loves, none of that will make a difference in our lives.
[1 Corinthians 13:1-6 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;]
[Charity never faileth:] One thing that bugs me when people read these verses is that they replace the word charity with love. Yes, charity does mean love, but if God wanted it to say love, then He would have instructed Paul to pen down the actual word love. Well, in Paul’s case it would have been the word agape, which means love without question in Greek. We do not all grow in our faith at the same time, but when we do grow we learn out of faith, hope, and charity. Paul, stresses the importance of charity being the most important spiritual gift.
[1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.]
[then that which is in part shall be done away.] As of today there are no more prophets because, one; the Holy Spirit is given to all saints to be able to not only become wise in the reading of the Scriptures, but be able to interpret them as well. However, there are some of us who have the gift of prophecy and that just means that through the Holy Spirit will are able to both lead souls to Christ and teach saints how to discern the Scriptures. In other words, we can interpret God’s Word for them, which brings us to what is called the edification or improvement of the mind in regards to understanding the Scriptures. After love comes the desire to use God’s gifts, and of all the spiritual gifts that one can receive perhaps the most beneficial is the gift of prophecy.
[1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.]
[for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,] There are several languages that I wish I could speak, but it has not happened yet. I may be able to understand certain words in several languages to have some idea of what they are saying, but I dare not speak in their language because I do not know enough. Not everyone understands the Gospel the same way, in fact, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to reach someone with the Gospel in a way that each individual can understand.
[1 Corinthians 14:8-13 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.]
[For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound,] We all know the distinct sound of a trumpet, but if everything sounded like a trumpet then we would pay no mind to it. It does nothing for a congregation to start speaking words that very few people understand. Paul, explains why.
[1 Corinthians 14:22-25 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.]
[tongues are for a sign…to them that believe not:] God, has designed His Word so that we always get something new from what we are reading, but the overall message who is Christ, ought to be the same. If it is not, then it is not something that we need to be hearing, and if they are speaking in a foreign language we are not able to know whether or not what they are saying lines up with the overall message. This is what Paul is getting at, God, is not the author of confusion.
[1 Corinthians 14:26-27,33-35,38-40 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.]
[How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm,] Exactly! We should all be in unity concerning the Gospel and in the Word of God for that matter. If one is not then it is best not to say anything at all because it causes problems, [Ephesians 4:13-15 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:]
[Let your women keep silence in the churches:] For years I thought that this was just referring to women having authority over the men in the church, and while it does have some merit, this is referring to the speaking of tongues. This was a Jewish ordinance in which women were not allowed to teach in the assemblies, or even to ask questions. All that changed after Christ’s passion, the prophet Joel even prophesied this, [Joel 2:28-29,32 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.]
[Let all things be done decently and in order.] Since all spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit that indwells us, no one is above anyone else. Whether a person is given several spiritual gifts or just one, we are all important to Him, no one is left out, yet no one is irreplaceable, we are merely servants sent for His purpose. And in case you did not notice, God, likes things in order, even our salvation was given to us in the proper order.
[Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Today’s Prayer: God, It is truly amazing all the things I have learned over the years, and that You use all of them for me to serve a purpose for You. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and for giving the spiritual gifts You have given me, may I know and use them all for Your glory. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me learn to yield to the Holy Spirit as He teaches me to serve You with all my heart, soul, might, and to have charity just like Jesus. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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