Rhetorical Questions

A rhetorical question is asked for effect with no answer expected—because the answer is obvious.

Rhetorical questions encourage the listener to think about what the obvious answer to the question must be.

Example…

How come no one ever says, “It’s only a game” when their team is winning?

The Bible asks rhetorical questions.

When Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, he explained that God’s Spirit uniquely empowers us with gifts to minister.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Corinthians 12.7 NLT)

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” (1 Corinthians 12.4 NLT)

“God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” (1 Corinthians 12.6 NLT)

“He alone decides which gift each person should have.” (1 Corinthians 12.11 NLT)

So the Bible tells us that there are a variety of gifts—all given by God’s Spirit.

Here comes the rhetorical questions…

“Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages?” (1 Corinthians 12.29, 30 NLT)

You know the answer to these 7 questions, don’t you?

It’s obvious.

We’re not, we don’t, we can’t.

But then Paul tells us what to do…

“Earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts…” (1 Corinthians 12.31 AMP)

So even though it’s obvious that we haven’t been given the same gifts and abilities, we should eagerly desire to be empowered by God’s Spirit with those gifts that are most helpful and beneficial.

I want to be used by God and empowered by his Spirit.

How about you? (See that? Another rhetorical question.)

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TO DO

—Read: 1 Peter 4.8-11 (NLT)
—Pray: Ask God to empower you with a gift that makes a difference in the lives of others.