Desire, Discern, and Submit
Focus Scripture:
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:1
What You Will Walk Away With
- Believers are called to desire spiritual gifts.
- Desire must be accompanied by discernment and submission to God’s will.
- The goal is not just to have gifts but to use them faithfully for God’s purposes.
The Call to Desire
Paul gives a clear and direct instruction: “Desire spiritual gifts.” This is not a suggestion—it is a command. Believers are not meant to be indifferent to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are to actively desire them.
This desire is not selfish ambition. It is a longing for God to work through us for the benefit of others. It is a recognition that the Church needs the gifts God has provided. It is a willingness to be used by God for His purposes.
Paul specifically highlights prophecy as a gift to be especially desired because it builds up the Church through edification, exhortation, and comfort. But the command to desire gifts extends to all the spiritual gifts.
God is not offended by our desire for His gifts. He invites it.
Desire Must Be Discerning
But desire alone is not enough. Desire must be accompanied by discernment.
Discernment involves:
- Testing the spirits — Not every supernatural manifestation is from God (1 John 4:1).
- Examining the fruit — Does the gift produce love, edification, and Christlikeness?
- Submitting to Scripture — All gifts must align with God’s Word.
- Seeking accountability — Gifts should be exercised within the body of Christ.
- Maintaining humility — We are stewards, not owners, of what God gives.
Discernment protects us from deception, pride, and misuse of gifts. It ensures that our desire is directed toward what is genuinely from God and genuinely edifying.
Desire without discernment leads to error. Discernment without desire leads to coldness. Both are needed.
Desire Must Be Submitted
Finally, desire must be submitted to God’s will.
We desire gifts, but we do not dictate to God which gifts we receive or how He uses us. The Spirit distributes gifts “as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Our role is to be open and available, not demanding and presumptuous.
Submission means:
- Surrendering to God’s timing — He knows when we are ready.
- Accepting His distribution — He gives gifts according to His wisdom.
- Remaining humble — We are not entitled to any gift; every gift is grace.
- Trusting His purposes — He knows what the body needs.
The attitude of the believer should be:
“Lord, I desire to be used by You. Give me whatever gifts You choose, and use me however You will. I submit to Your wisdom and Your purposes.”
The Threefold Balance
This devotion brings together three essential elements:
- Desire
We actively long for spiritual gifts. We are not passive or indifferent. - Discern
We test and evaluate spiritual claims. We are not gullible or undiscerning. - Submit
We surrender to God’s will. We are not demanding or presumptuous.
These three elements work together:
- Desire keeps us open and expectant.
- Discernment keeps us grounded and safe.
- Submission keeps us humble and trusting.
Without desire, we are cold. Without discernment, we are vulnerable. Without submission, we are arrogant.
The Heart of the Matter
The ultimate goal of desiring spiritual gifts is not to have an impressive ministry—it is to serve the body of Christ and glorify Jesus.
Paul’s instruction is clear: “Follow after charity.” Love must be the foundation. Gifts without love are nothing (1 Corinthians 13). So we pursue love first, and we pursue gifts within that context.
This is the heart of the matter: a desire for gifts, a commitment to discernment, a submission to God’s will, and all of it governed by love.
Prayer
Father, give me a genuine desire for spiritual gifts. Help me to discern what is truly from You and to submit to Your will in everything. Keep me from coldness, deception, and presumption. Let my desire for gifts be rooted in love for Your Church and a longing to see Christ glorified. Amen.
Declaration
I DECLARE:
- I desire spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
- I will exercise discernment in all spiritual matters.
- I submit to God’s will and wisdom.
- Love will govern everything I do.
Action Points
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:1–5 and reflect on Paul’s instruction to desire spiritual gifts.
- Examine your heart: Do you genuinely desire gifts for the edification of the Church?
- Submit your desires to God, asking Him to give you what He knows is best.
Memory Verse (Optional)
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:1
Written by: Dr. Abraham Peter