Build one another up. Use your actions and words to encourage and strengthen those around us. It’s true in the church as well. Our focus should be on helping people draw closer to Jesus. When we use our spiritual gifts, they are to build the body of Christ and edify them.
1 Corinthians 14:26-33
What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Everything in Order
There was spiritual chaos going on in the Corinthian church. Everyone was trying to share their gifts, and it turned into a competition. Some were singing songs, others a revelation, while there were multiple messages in tongues. It seems like everyone wanted in on the party. Spiritual gifts are for building up, not bringing attention to how gifted we are. So Paul set some order. Two or three messages in tongues and then there must be interpretation. If there is no interpretation, then there must be silence. Confusion is one of the greatest discouragers in the church. We can create too much order in the church and usher the Holy Spirit out, but there also can be so much confusion that it discourages people.
The Well Rounded Church
When we are operating in the gifts, then we must also establish order so that the church is built up. A church that is being built up is full of people who are trained in the Word of God, loving one another, serving the community, and working in their giftings. That building happens by day in day out faithfulness to Jesus Christ.