(1Co 14:33) “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”  Taken with Verse 40, “Let all things be done decently and in order” a service should never be a mishmash, thrown together assembly, but one that reflects our God. He is the God of purpose, direction, moving us toward fulfillment of pre-determination.

(1Co 14:32) “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”   Remember, they did not possess the New Testament. Therefore, the average person had no means of comparison to know if what was being said was truth. This special gift of the Holy Spirit gave this power of discernment for the protection of the church.

(1Co 14:32) “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”  Not all that is said in the Name of the Lord is Bible truth. I have heard many times supposition being taught, even to the degree of “make believe”. You and I should be so acquainted with God’s Word that when error is taught, we know it. We should be so used to seeking the Spirit of God to teach us that when error is taught, we can discern His still quiet voice say, “No”.

(1Co 14:30) “If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. (31)  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”  I remind you, in our services, it is not about you. It is about the Lord. Those serving should have such humility that if they do not get to speak, or sing, or do whatever it is they were prepared to do, it is humbly accepted.If they cannot do so, they have no business serving.

(1Co 14:29) “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.”  Why? Answer: (1Co 14:32) “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”  The test is whether those with this gift find that which is said to be in accordance to what has previously, over time, been revealed. The test was needed because there were false spirits  using false prophets.

(1Co 14:27) “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. (28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”  Take note that speaking in a language is not prophesying. It is the communication of the gospel. It’s focus is the Jew (v.22). The Jew is to recognize this as a fulfillment of prophecy.

(1Co 14:26) “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.”  Everyone wanted to do something. When they couldn’t, it resulted in conflict. This does not happen when one realizes it is not about them, but others. It is each person, including self, being fed by the Holy Spirit.

(1Co 14:24) “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.”  When we come before the Lord, He speaks to our individual hearts. Most do not like nor want this. So, they search out a church whose aim is to make the sinner as comfortable as possible. In other words, they do not speak nor deal with the subject of sin.

(1Co 14:23) “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?”  Imagine: you enter a church and during the service, here and there people pop up speaking various languages. You ask, “What did they say?” Answer: “I don’t know.” Since it did not profit anyone, of course you would think, ‘Why would any sane person come to be a part of this?’” 

(1Co 14:22) “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.”  The prophecy (v.21) proves the purpose of this gift; to reach lost souls. Its use within the church was therefore wrong. Unlike what we so wrongly think: the gathering of God’s people are for their edification; not for the reaching of the lost. Each member is to seek the souls of the lost, lead them to Him, and then bring them into the fold of the church.