Reading With the People of God #14 Proverbsنموونە

Choose You this Day...(Proverbs 14)

These Proverbs are not easily grouped together, but when the chapter is read, it is clear that those who fear the LORD will find blessings and a refuge. Those who choose the fool’s path will do so to their own destruction.

Come Let Us Worship Together (I Corinthians 14)

Paul has been addressing problems in corporate worship in the church at Corinth. In this chapter, he talks about the use of spiritual gifts in the worship service. Spiritual gifts had become a point of pride, and the focus was on the gifts rather than the gift giver. Gifts had become divisive, a source of pride and misuse. Paul chides them for an undue emphasis on gifts, especially glossolalia, speaking in tongues. Basically, Paul is saying it’s time to grow up and figure out how to use your gifts properly. Paul goes on to teach the proper use of tongues in corporate worship if they insist on speaking in tongues in church.

Paul does not forbid the use of the gifts in church but makes it clear that prophecy, the proclaiming of God’s Word, is the greatest gift, and other gifts should yield to it. The Spirit works best when He can move in and through the Word.

To emphasize his point, Paul encourages worshipers to pray and sing with “the mind.” When one uses a language that is not understood, he blesses only himself, but when he uses language that is understood, he blesses those around him, too. In corporate worship, one should work at being inclusive, drawing others to worship with you, not turning them into spectators, confused by what they don’t understand. Prophecy spoken in the common language can convict a sinner and bring them to repentance.

Paul encourages the church service to have structure and order and to be done decently so that God may be glorified. Parishioners are asked to leave their pride and desire for spiritual recognition at the door when coming to worship collectively.

*Primer contributed by Jinet Troost, Women's Bible Study Leader at Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.