Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Isn’t it remarkable how we as believers get so many things backwards? Please understand, I truly believe in spiritual gifts and in no way want to cast a shadow of the wrong ideology, but far too many believers get caught up in following gifts instead of love. Paul makes it very clear that when we do, we become as annoying as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals (1Corinthians 13:1). Noise with no rhythm or melody is empty, unintelligible, uncomprehensible, inarticulate garble in every way.
Could it be we get caught up in our soulishness instead of our spiritual man when we need a balance of both? We must understand our soul is moved by emotion. However, our spiritual man should be led by love. Emotion is a great thing and should be part of every aspect of our lives, but we must realize emotions are like rollercoasters. There are ups and downs, turns and twists. The ride is amazing, but it can be all over the place before you get to the end of the journey.
Love, however, is a constant. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” It is hard to deal with all things riding on emotion or our soulishness.
It is much easier to deal with the issues of life when we follow after charity. Charity is much more than an emotion. It is the center of all things. 1 John 4:8 says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to realize following charity will guide your spirit, stir you soul, and impart the right gifts to you at the right time.
