With the Spirit
1 Corinthians 14:15-16
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?”
The word “spirit” in the Scriptures carries two different definitions depending upon the case of the first letter. When the word “Spirit” is in the uppercase, then the Scriptures are talking about the Holy Spirit of God. When the word “spirit” is in the lowercase, then the Scriptures are talking about the spirit or attitude of man.
In the verses above we see the that word “spirit” is in the lowercase, meaning that man is to do what God commanded him to do with his spirit. We find in these verses three things that we are to do with our spirit when serving God. We are to pray, sing and bless with our spirit. Let me explain what God is trying to teach us.
In the Christian life if we are not careful, we can start going through the motions of serving God, and our spirit is not involved. For instance, have you ever caught yourself in a time of prayer just saying a bunch of words knowing that your mind and spirit were not involved? That is what God is talking about in these verses. God is teaching us when we pray, that we need to get our spirit involved in our prayers so we are not merely repeating a bunch of words.
Likewise, when you sing the songs of Christ, don't simply sing a bunch of words. When you are singing congregational songs in the church, get your spirit involved with the songs you sing. Don't merely sing the songs letting your mind wander on different thoughts. Think about what you are singing and sing with your spirit.
Also, when you are blessing someone, bless with your spirit. When God is talking about blessing with the spirit, He is talking about praising and thanking people with your spirit. When someone does something for you, give them a sincere and heartfelt thanks with your spirit. When you praise people for something they have done, involve your spirit in that praise.
Be careful about being a Christian who simply goes through the motions of Christianity. Be a Christian who involves your spirit when you pray to God, sing His praises and bless people. When you pray, pray with your spirit, this will bring fervency in your prayer. When you sing, sing with your spirit, this will bring enthusiasm and heart to your singing. When you bless or praise people, do it with your spirit for this will be felt by the heart of the one whom you are blessing. Don't be an empty Christian, but be a Christian who involves your spirit in all that you do.
1 Corinthians 14:15-16
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?”
The word “spirit” in the Scriptures carries two different definitions depending upon the case of the first letter. When the word “Spirit” is in the uppercase, then the Scriptures are talking about the Holy Spirit of God. When the word “spirit” is in the lowercase, then the Scriptures are talking about the spirit or attitude of man.
In the verses above we see the that word “spirit” is in the lowercase, meaning that man is to do what God commanded him to do with his spirit. We find in these verses three things that we are to do with our spirit when serving God. We are to pray, sing and bless with our spirit. Let me explain what God is trying to teach us.
In the Christian life if we are not careful, we can start going through the motions of serving God, and our spirit is not involved. For instance, have you ever caught yourself in a time of prayer just saying a bunch of words knowing that your mind and spirit were not involved? That is what God is talking about in these verses. God is teaching us when we pray, that we need to get our spirit involved in our prayers so we are not merely repeating a bunch of words.
Likewise, when you sing the songs of Christ, don't simply sing a bunch of words. When you are singing congregational songs in the church, get your spirit involved with the songs you sing. Don't merely sing the songs letting your mind wander on different thoughts. Think about what you are singing and sing with your spirit.
Also, when you are blessing someone, bless with your spirit. When God is talking about blessing with the spirit, He is talking about praising and thanking people with your spirit. When someone does something for you, give them a sincere and heartfelt thanks with your spirit. When you praise people for something they have done, involve your spirit in that praise.
Be careful about being a Christian who simply goes through the motions of Christianity. Be a Christian who involves your spirit when you pray to God, sing His praises and bless people. When you pray, pray with your spirit, this will bring fervency in your prayer. When you sing, sing with your spirit, this will bring enthusiasm and heart to your singing. When you bless or praise people, do it with your spirit for this will be felt by the heart of the one whom you are blessing. Don't be an empty Christian, but be a Christian who involves your spirit in all that you do.
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