The top spiritual gifts

1Co 12:27  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1Co 12:28  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
1Co 12:29  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
1Co 12:30  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
1Co 12:31  But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

1Co 13:1  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (ESV)

Desire the higher gifts, what are they? They are listed in order: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administration and various kinds of tongues. It is the tongues speaking that are placed first in Pentecostal churches. This being the evidence of the Holy Ghost in a believer. Tongues is a gift, the least of the gifts, but it can be an evidence of the Holy Spirit. There are various kinds of tongues. I understand this to be various languages and also just a personal unknown speaking of words in prayer to speak spirit to spirit with the LORD that edifies the speaker. An unknown tongue spoken in church and interpreted can be a form of prophecy which is the second most important gift. It is the prophecy understood that is important. Gifts can be a source of pride if used carelessly. Paul shows us a more  excellent way of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit, the fruit of spiritual gifts are to be with love. Without love, the gifts of the spirit are not effective. The world points to our lack of love and calls it hate speech. We should listen to God and obey him in love. Above all we are to love one another as we love God and are loved by him.

Eaglewings Gallery