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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: HARMONY (11/03/22)
Harmonious Living
By: Lakella L. Davenport

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints,” (I Corinthians 14:33 KJV).

What exactly is harmony. Harmony is a state of peace, unity, order, and smoothness. Harmony is the opposite of chaos and disorder. Harmony is togetherness. Singers in vocal groups often harmonize their voices. They blend their voices together to create a smooth, peaceful, beautiful sound. In the Bible, God calls believers to work together, and to live peaceably with one another in harmony. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men,” (Romans 12:18 KJV).

The Apostle Paul was an advocate of having a peaceful church. In I Corinthians chapter 14, Paul teaches the church of Corinth principles of orderly conduct and practices that members of the church should exercise when gathering together for worship and praise. He urged the church to desire the gift of prophesy over the gift of speaking in tongues, (I Corinthians 14: 1-5). “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy,” (I Corinthians 14:1 KJV). “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort,” (I Corinthians 14:3 KJV). “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth edifieth the church,” (I Corinthians 14:4 KJV). “I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesieth; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying,” (I Corinthians 14:5 KJV).

Paul urged the church to excel in edifying or building up the character of the church, (I Corinthians 14:12 KJV). According to the Apostle Paul, it is through prophesying and not speaking in tongues that unbelievers will become convinced and believe in God and his son Jesus Christ. “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:,” (I Corinthians 14:24 KJV). “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,” (I Corinthians 14:25). He taught them to have order when they prophesy. He urged them to prophesy one at a time and to learn to hold your peace and let others prophesy before you (I Corinthians 14: 26-31). He also urged the women to remain orderly in church services. He specifically commands women in the church of Corinth to remain and learn in silence in the church (I Corinthians 14:34). This does in no way mean women can't be teachers or ministers of God's holy word. I think he was referring to those women who try to usurp authority over male leadership in the church of Corinth. The women may have been disorderly creating gender strifes in the church.

Miriam, along with Aaron tried to usurp authority over Moses in criticizing him in marrying a foreigner (Numbers 12:1 KJV). Miriam thought that she could do the same kind of prophesying just like Moses. She believed God had put the spirit in her to lead his people like Moses led the people. However, the anointing that was on Moses was indeed greater than the anointing that God had placed on Miriam and Aaron. “And they said, hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it,” (Numbers 12:2 KJV).

Another example of harmonious living in the Bible, takes place after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Jerusalem. In Acts chapter four, the Apostle Paul describes the type of harmonious living the church in Jerusalem was partaking of. The people in Jerusalem that were apart of Pentecost participated in a form of utopia living where everyone in the church shared of everything they had and owned with the church and each other. “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,” (Acts 4:34 KJV).

How many of us would like to be apart of a church community like this one? Could we give up all we had to God and the church? These believers had to have great faith that God would provide for them. Have we today such faith?
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/13/22
You pack a lot of Scriptures in a short word space. This is a nice outline for a sermon. I particularly like when you tell about your interpretation of a verse like women's places in church. It's thought-provoking and makes me stop and think. Instead of giving the definition of the topic word, especially as an opener, I'd urge you to pick one or two verses and expand on what they mean to you. Perhaps you could even give real-life examples. It can be hard to follow when you pack too many verses or jump around from one thought to the next without a clear transition. I can feel your passion in your words and I think you make some great points. You definitely wrote on topic too.
C D Swanson 
12/21/22
Beautiful job with bringing forward the message and Word in a powerful way.

I love entries packed with scriptures!

Merry Blessed Christmas
& Happy New Year

God bless~