January 9, 2022…

“Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.” I Corinthians 14:29 NLT

The translators of the NLT chose the word “evaluate” when older versions use the word “judge” because this word means to judge and evaluate carefully. It can even carry the idea of weighing carefully and passing judgment. That’s how important prophecy was to the early church. 

We know they weren’t trying to squelch prophecy because they encouraged everyone to desire the ability to prophesy in I Corinthians 14:1. Paul wanted the believers to prophesy, but he also stressed strong accountability. Did the Apostle Paul want the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to be in operation like prophecy? Yes, but he also wanted all things to be done properly and in order (I Corinthians 14:40). 

Scriptures like I Corinthians 14:22-23 seem to contradict each other. In vs.22 it says tongues are a sign for unbelievers. Then in vs.23 it says if unbelievers come into a service and hear people speaking in tongues they’ll think you're crazy. What is Paul saying here? Paul is saying that even speaking in tongues can be done in such a way that unbelievers would acknowledge that God must be the source.

Whether it's speaking in tongues, prophecy, or any Gift of the Holy Spirit, for that matter, they should all be done properly and high accountability is a must. There were no lone wolves in the early church. People were not allowed to just do whatever they wanted to do. Paul stressed order and things being done properly, yet he did so while encouraging people to step out and pursue spiritual gifts.

That’s why Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people.” The Apostle Paul saw disorder concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit as void of peace. How powerful that Paul placed order and peace in church services over the crazy use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Are there areas in your life lacking peace? As you pray, ask God to bring order there.