Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NASB)
1. "Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy." - Notice it doesn't say "Pursue gifts, yet desire earnestly love..." To pursue love is to pursue Christ while to pursue gifts is to pursue selfish gain. Yet to "desire spiritual gifts" is to hope in the outpouring of effects through love as He allows.
2. Notice how much time & direction is given to the subject of tongues. Why is there even a question about tongues in the church today? It's real & it's from God. It's merely a matter of how it's used. And again, to "pursue" tongues would be unbiblical.
3. "one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation" and "one who prophesies edifies the church" When the church or body of believers disregards the prophetic, it's shutting off a major avenue of edification from the Lord, for it says "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward..." (Matthew 10:41 NASB)
(*Note also that some may claim that the word prophesy is merely "proclaiming the word of God", but this is specifically in context to spiritual gifts...)
So let us pursue love, not chasing after spiritual gifts, but rather welcome them as they're poured out as He wills.
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