Saturday, March 28, 2026

Scripture

“If there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God.” 1 Corinthians 14:28

Reflections

Is the Holy Spirit at work through you?

Some see the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues as the only way you will know if the Holy Spirit is at work through you.  If do you not speak in tongues, the Spirit is not at work through you.  But this is not what we find within the scriptures.  There are many different spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit through peoples’ lives.  The gift of tongues is just one of those gifts.

We read in 1 Jn. 4:16, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.”  The greatest evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in a person’s life is love.  Love does not seek assurance of faith through the speaking in tongues.  Love does not seek praise from others for personal piety.  Love does not seek ecstatic experience for the sake of self while ignoring others.  Love speaks the truth understandably to others, responds to their needs, and builds up people.

This is why praying loudly in tongues at worship serves little purpose.  If it is not interpreted, an unbeliever will think you’re out of your mind.  That does not draw a person closer to Christ.  It does not bear witness to the faith.  It does not build up others.  As the Apostle Paul also wrote in 1 Cor. 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.”

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for the gift of your Spirit manifested in love.  Help me to make full and appropriate use of my unique gifts within your kingdom.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40