What are tongues and why?
1 cor 14:1-25
TEXt 1 Cor 14:1-25
Paul is bringing
further correction to the Corinthians regarding tongues and prophecy. . We
in some ways are very much like the Corinthians and in some ways our situation
is different. We don’t currently have an
issue with tongues versus prophecy. In
order to understand and benefit from this section of scripture it is important
for us first to understand these two gifts, the truth behind them and their
right practice. We will fully dig into Paul’s
correction but first we need to understand their situation –their
understanding, their practice, their errors and their successes. So we will take one week to examine the gift
of tongues and one week to examine prophecy versus tongues, all the while
remembering that the goal of these two gifts is love – for God supremely and
for one another, effectively.
Sermon Introduction
This section of
scripture is the most extensive on the topic of speaking in tongues. I imagine some of you are thinking right now,
“Oh no, he’s going to speak on that – good thing I didn’t invite my friend to
come this Sunday.” Or maybe you
did. The topic of speaking in tongues is
kinda like the weird uncle in the attic of the Christian church home. You want to have your friends over the house
to enjoy all that’s there and you just pray that Uncle Zeke TongueSpeak doesn’t
descend out of the attic while your friends are there. I totally understand this sense and is well
founded in some ways. Jack Deere and Sam
Storms say the following:
“The gift of tongues is easily the most controversial of all the gifts in the church today.”
Jack Deere
“The gift of tongues was perhaps the single most divisive and controversial issue in Twentieth Century Christianity.”
Sam Storms
So what are we
to do with this one? What would you do
if you were in my shoes right now? We are committed to preaching through all of
scripture, submitting ourselves to the word of God in everything, believing it
is indeed the word of God and sufficient as such for all things. So, if it is
in scripture then we have to face it and learn and obey God, knowing that he is
good and great and anything from him is good and great. So, let’s take a look with
open minds and hearts at what the scriptures teach us about the gift of
tongues.
1.
The Nature of
tongues:
1.1.
Introduction
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
(ESV)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially
that you may prophesy
We start off in verse 1 with Paul’s transition from chapter 13 on love, the motivation and goal of the gifts. We are told, “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” We are to pursue love as central in our church life and with that earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. That is, we are to zealously seek and yearn and want to experience spiritual gifts. This isn’t a term of indifference. We are to pursue love – to strive and fight for love. And as part of that we are to intensely desire the spiritual gifts. Question for us this morning is, do we intensely desire the spiritual gifts? Do we intensely desire the gift of tongues or is this the Uncle Zeke gift? The text doesn’t say, “earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that is might not be tongues.” It says earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy – not to the exclusion of tongues. As we continue this talk, I want us to hold at the forefront of our minds this question, “Do I earnestly desire spiritual gifts?”
At this point Paul begins to explain why he would rather have them especially desire prophecy over tongues. While we don’t want to miss the thrust of the passage, that is the superiority of prophecy over tongues for public ministry, we must spend some time drawing from this passage and others what exactly this gift of tongues is.
The topic of
tongues is discussed in Acts 2, 10 & 19 and 1 Corinthians 12-14. In all these cases “speaking in tongues” is a
term we have retained from older English translations of the Greek, “λαλεῖν
γλώσσαις”. This word is literally “to
speak in tongues” but a more fitting translation is “to speak in a [foreign]
language”. Of the 40 instances in the
New Testament of “γλώσσῃ” root words,
35 refer to speaking a language. Of these 35 instances 23 refer to the gift of
tongues. Our use of the term “speaking
in tongues” has a sense of mysticism about it that may not adequately
communicate what is going on in the gift.
It is simply a supernatural ability to speak in syllables unknown to the
speaker [1]. It is “speaking in unknown languages”. We
will retain the term, “speaking in tongues” because of familiarity but
“speaking in unknown languages” is more fitting in modern English. (additional references [2],[3],[4],[5],[6]. )
1.2.
Tongues : A
Redemptive Historical Sign of the New Covenant
The first time
tongues clearly shows up in all of scripture is in Acts 2. It is clear from Acts 2 that none of the Jews
present understood what was going on.
This is a brand new phenomena breaking in on redemptive history and we
must return to the passage to understand ourselves what was going on.
Acts 1:4-14 (ESV)
To review the
scene, the disciples had walked with Jesus for three years witnessing the life,
ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of the promised Messiah. They had come to understand, at least to some
degree, that Christ is the fulfillment of all the scriptures (see Luke
24). They ask Him before his ascension
if he is going to restore, at this moment, the kingdom to
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And
suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it
filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of
fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
Well, the day
comes and they experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in a very
dramatic way. A sound like a tornado
fills the entire house, tongues of fire comes to rest on each head, and they
all are filled with the Spirit and begin to speak in other languages as the
Spirit enables them. A crowd gathers at
the sound – probably of the wind and then the languages.
Acts 2:12-21 (ESV]’
Peter’s answer
to the question “what does this mean?” is that this speaking in other languages
is the fulfillment of the OT promise that God would pour out his Spirit on all
flesh. They are witnessing the
fulfillment of Joel 1! Furthermore, he
states in Acts 2:33 that Jesus himself via the gift of the Spirit, is pouring
out what the crowd is seeing and hearing – namely, tongues. So, tongues here is clearly linked to a
redemptive historical event – the fulfillment of the long expected promise of
the pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh with a view to the end of the age
and the “day of the Lord”. We see later
in Acts, as the Spirit continues to be poured out on new people groups, God is
pleased to demonstrate this reception of the Spirit through the gift of tongues
(see Acts 8, 10 and 19.)
Acts 10:44-47 (ESV)
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell
on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the
circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy
Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing
them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can
anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy
Spirit just as we have?”
Acts 19:6 (ESV)
6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on
them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Stott et al [7],[8],[9],[10],[11] propose that Pentecost is the opposite of
Genesis 11:7-9 (ESV]
7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not
understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over
the face of all the earth and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its
name was called
At the
Acts 2:5-13 (ESV)
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under
heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were
bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And
they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking
Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of
Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes,
Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works
of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What
does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Thus, the gift
of tongues is not an obscure gift to be hidden away like an eccentric uncle at
a family reunion. It is a redemptive
historical sign that God is creating a new people from all peoples, together in
Christ to enjoy the power and presence of His Spirit, united around His
purposes, for the glory of God. This
gift is not merely a sideshow or a peculiarity enjoyed in private under the
“don’t ask, don’t tell policy” some churches might employ. It is the manifestation God chose to
demonstrate the fulfillment of His promises to create a new Spirit-endowed
eschatological people from all peoples.
The gift of tongues is the supernatural confirmation that God has once
again dramatically broken in on history and graciously poured out His Spirit on
His new covenant people in a way never before in history.
1.3.
Tongues: Godward Prayer and Praise in the Spirit
1.3.1. Godward Prayer and Praise
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
(ESV)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially
that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not
to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the
Spirit……
As we continue
in 1 Corinthians 14 we read in verse 2, “for the one who speaks in a tongues
speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters
mysteries in the Spirit.” Later on, in 1
Corinthians 14:15 Paul teaches that tongues speaking is praying to God and
praising God with our spirits. Check it
out.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
We see this also
in Acts 2. Acts 2:11 [ESV] says “we hear
them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” They are not predicting the future or giving
personal prophecy for the hearers, they are not even directly encouraging their
audience; they are proclaiming the mighty works of God. The same form, ‘the mighty works of God’, is
used in Acts 10:46 and 19:17 where it clearly means praise given to God [12].
So, speaking in
tongues is praying or praising God in an unknown tongue. Additionally, the mind is unfruitful but the
soul or the spirit is active. Do not
mistakenly think this means it is estactic speech. Something that just happens without the
speaker’s control. Could you imagine
that? No, clearly the gift is under the
control of the speaker, otherwise Paul would not be instructing them to control
the use of the gift. But it is something
that operates without the mind fully engaged.
Now, that is in many ways the core of the controversy of tongues. I don’t think the real issue for us is
whether or not this gift has ceased. In
our talk last week we saw how the scriptures themselves do not deliver us to
the conclusion that the gifts have ceased but that they are to continue to some
degree until the Lord’s return. The
think the issue behind our objection to Uncle Zeke actually is the fact that
this is not a normal intelligent gift.
Can you imagine explaining this one to your friends at work? I can see it now…
“Yah, I have the gift of tongues.
“What is it? Oh, it’s this gift where I speak or sing in a foreign language I’ve never learned before, um, prayer and praise to God.
“Do I know what I am saying you ask? Well, no, I am uttering mysteries in my spirit. My mind is not really engaged in the use of this gift.
“What’s that? Well that isn’t a very nice thing to say. My mind is usually engaged – just not when I speak in tongues.”
As funny as that may sound, it is how we can feel about this
gift. Yet, we see in scripture that speaking
in tongues is a common occurrence for people filled with the Holy Spirit. Looking back at the book of Acts we see the
original church joyously extolling God
in tongues upon receiving the Spirit. Later we see Cornelius’ household
receiving the Spirit and extolling God by speaking in tongues. Then the disciples at
“There may be praise without tongues, but where tongues are spoken there is always praise.”
J.Rodman Williams
We must realize something very profound about the gift of tongues. God chose this gift as a common sign and experience of those who were so full of the Spirit that they had to express their praise and prayer in words inexpressible. The gift is to have the same function for us today. It is a very edifying gift intended for personal prayer and praise for God’s glory and our individual benefit.
1.4.
Tongues: Self-Edifying Speech
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
(ESV)
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who
prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in
tongues, but even more to prophesy……
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
You see, verse 4
in chapter 14 explains this. The one who
speaks in a tongue edifies or builds up himself. We find possible parallels in Romans 8:26-27
as well [13]. Here it speaks of being unable to pray as we
ought but the Spirit himself intercededs for us with groanings too deep for
words. While this probably applies to
more than just the use of tongues, certainly tongues functions this way. We don’t know how to pray but the Spirit
gives this ability to pray and praise in other languages according to the mind
of the Spirit.
Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know
what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints
according to the will of God.
Have you ever
been at that point? You have come to the
end of words and thoughts and desire to pray according to God’s will. You may even feel yourself groaning inwardly
– striving to express what you sense in your very soul.
My first experience of speaking in tongues. Prayer, joy unspeakable, laughter, giving voice to what was in my soul, tongues.
Ask God to grant
you the gift of tongues and seek to give voice to those inward groanings. You may find yourself praying and praising in
a previously unlearned language. This is
good, this glorifies God, this builds us up.
This gift is to be earnestly desired.
Do you earnestly desire it? Ask
God, the giver of good gifts. He loves
to bless his children.
I personally have found this gift very helpful. I fairly regularly pray in tongues and find myself frequently using tongues when I meet an impasse. I can’t tell you how many times in prayer I have labored in seeking God, oftentimes for our church, for some of you guys, for our outreach, and only after going to tongues and praying for a while, feel released from the sense of burden and blessed with peace and assurance. Now, I don’t fully know what I have prayed but I trust this good gift and the good God behind it and I enjoy the edification in being able to pray and praise God by the power of the Spirit with this good gift.
2.
Limitations of
Tongues:
2.1.
Tongues Unable to
Edify Others Directly
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
(ESV)
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I
benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or
teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the
harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And
if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So
with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible,
how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10
There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is
without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the
language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to
me.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue..
Because tongues
are in an indiscernible language, they are unable to edify others directly. Also, because they are prayer and praise
toward God and not toward men, they are limited in their ability to edify
others even when interpreted. If folks
can’t understand you than you can’t really help them. Paul brings this point home repetively in
this section. We can not benefit others
without intelligibility. If you play the
flute or the harp without discernable notes how will anyone appreciate what you
play?
I used to play the trumpet. I can still play a little here and there. I remember my first trumpet lessons. The teacher was very gifted. He played “the flight of the bumblebee” for us and I still vividly recall how the 1/16th notes seemed to resonate as he went up and down the scale. It was wonderful. Contrast that to one of my fellow students who thought he could already play jazz on his trumpet. He proceeded to blow and move his fingers on the keys very fast. The result was something that sounded like a herd of charging elephants with laryngitis. No one else enjoyed that but him.
Similarly, Paul
says you need discernable notes, otherwise no one appreciates it, no one can
get ready for battle. If you speak a
foreign language in public no one else understands you are just speaking into
the air, just creating warm CO2 for the plants. Tongues are primarily a gift for personal and
private edification.
This is why Paul
promoted prophecy and other discernable gifts for corporate worship. He says in verse 19 that although he thoroughly enjoys the gift of
tongues himself, he would rather speak 5 words with his mind in order to
instruct than 10,000 words in a tongue.
In other words, this gift is pretty much useless in the public setting
without interpretation.
Furthermore, the
accent from chapter 14 sways toward pursuing those gifts that are clearly
discernable for public use. Nowhere does
Paul tell the Corinthians to pursue tongues for public use although he says
this directly for prophecy and intimates it for other speech in verse 6 “some
revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching.” While he seeks to govern the use of public
tongues and creates a way to facilitate its usefulness in public, he reserves
his enthusiasm for other gifts in the public realm while being very
enthusiastic for tongues in the private realm.
This is our approach as a church.
We are very very enthusiastic for tongues in the private context while
merely being open to its limited use in the public setting. We are reserved in
what we would permit in terms of public tongues on a Sunday. I believe this honors the letter and spirit
of 1 Cor. 14. Let us vigorously pursue
tongues for private use and biblically limit their public practice.
2.2.
Tongues should
not be practiced publicly until there is a reliable interpreter.
1 Corinthians 14:13,27-28 (ESV)
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret
27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three,
and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no
one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself
and to God.
Therefore it is
compulsory that any tongues given in public be interpreted. This leaves us with two alternatives if we
are ever to have public tongues, either the person with the tongue has an
interpretation or another person does.
The scriptures clearly say that if there is neither than the person with
the tongue must remain silent.
Uninterpreted public tongues are clearly forbidden, whether they are
spoken or sung, at the mike or from our seats.
Verse 28 says, if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep
silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Literally it says, “if there is no interpreter,
he must be silent and speak to himself and God.”
2.3.
Any legitimate
interpretation of tongues must convey the Godward nature of tongues.
Furthermore, if
there is an interpretation is must reflect the Godward nature of tongues if it
is legitimate. As we discussed, tongues
is praise or prayer in a previously unknown foreign language. They are directed towards God and not towards
man. Thus, they are distinct from the
gift of prophesy as described in 1 Corinthians 14. They are not encouragements for people,
neither predictions of the future, nor any sort of speech from God towards
people; instead they are words of prayer and praise from the speaker, in
particular his spirit, towards God.
Thus, any interpretation that sounds like speech from God towards his
people would be inaccurate and therefore should be deemed invalid.
2.4.
Tongues: A Negative
Sign to Unbelievers
1 Corinthians 14:1-25
(ESV)
21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by
the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not
listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for
believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but
for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and
all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say
that you are out of your minds?
Additionally, we
must be aware of how public tongues function for outsiders – the Uncle Zeke
effect. Speaking in tongues serves as a
sign gift. It testifies to the unique
supernatural experience of the believer.
So unique is this gift that it is taken by the unbelieving as nonsense
and he is inclined to mock, as in Acts 2:13.
This is in line with Paul’s explanation in 1 Corinthians 14. In this passage speaking in tongues and
prophecy both function as a sign. One
negative and for the unbeliever, one positive and for the believer [14],[15].
Tongues are a negative sign in
that they pronounce the judgment of God on those who are unable to discern
their meaning. What they discern as
babble is God’s sign that he has rejected them and therefore they are ignorant
to the meaning of the words they hear and unacquainted with the phenomenon. Paul cites Isaiah 11:28 where the foreign
babble of the Assyrians outside
This is where
the rub is for the gift of speaking in tongues.
While we must honor the gift’s historical function in pointing to the
New Covenant experience of the Spirit, and its tremendous power to edify the
individual, we must also be aware that it is a negative sign for the
unbeliever. It is a sort of
anti-evangelism tool. Paul cites this
tendency in 1 Corinthians 14. Paul says
that the outsiders, most likely unbelievers [16],[17],
upon hearing the congregation speaking in tongues, will think the tongues
speakers and the whole church as well are a bunch of raving maniacs [18]. Hardly the first impression we seek.
This reminds me of a story my brother told me. When he was in High School there was a girl in one of his classes who, for her public speaking assignment, decided to speak on the gift of tongues. After giving a explanation of the gift she proceeded to give an in-class demonstration of the gift. My brother, who doesn’t speak in tongues and doesn’t currently trust Christ as his Lord and Savior reacted with a mixture of amusement and mockery – just as scripture indicates. His classmate would have been better off speaking on the gospel or, if so gifted, the use of NT prophecy.
That is Paul’s import. He is basically saying, ‘tongues function as
a sign of judgment for the unbeliever resulting in their repulsion towards
God’s people – and that is not what we want to do when visitors come, instead
we want them to understand and respond to the truth and presence of God in the
midst of God’s people’. He says this
while never diminishing the important role it should play in the individual’s
life and even, at times, in the corporate setting, given there is an
interpretation.
Now, maybe you
are like my dear brother this morning.
You haven’t yet spoken with your own lips that Jesus is your Savior and
Lord. You are sitting there thinking,
“What in the world is he talking about this morning?” I understand where you are coming from and I
want you to know one thing above all else.
This church is not about some strange esoteric Christian practice. If you had a chance to hang around folks this
morning or came on any other Sunday you know that we are ultimately about
God. The way we show that is by our
love, for God first, for one another next.
Our central message is very clear and discernable. “For God so loved the world, (that is you and
me and all people who desperately need God) that he gave His only Son, (that is
he gave him over to die on the cross to bear our sins against him and die in
our place) that we might not perish but have everlasting life in His
presence. Christ died for sinners – that
is our central message. That is the
reason for everything else. That is how
we can love one another, that is how we can have peace and joy and eternal life
– because he loved us first and rescued us from our self and sin. He calls all people to turn form their sins
and look to him. Will you do that this
morning? That is the best thing we could
ever offer you. Please be patient while
we talk about this less important but valuable topic.
2.5.
Tongues that are
not approved for public sharing should be spoken quietly so as to be truly
private.
The use of
tongues must be private if not given with an interpretation. First Corinthians 14:28 instructs such a
tongues speaker to be silent in the church and speak to himself and to God [not
to the people]. Meetings that contain
“outsiders” as well as any meeting that is for immediate public benefit would
be inappropriate for audible uninterpreted tongues. “Outsiders” in 1 Corinthians 14:16 & 23
most likely means non-believers but could be understood to mean those not
familiar to the fellowship and/or the practice of the gift of tongues. Following the cogent discussion presented by
Andy Farmer [19]
it seems best to limit any tongues speaking at the corporate gathering to
quiet, under-the-breath type speaking, not meant for public hearing. Furthermore, other public venues such as
small groups and even public prayer meetings should follow the same protocol. Small, private gatherings such as elders
meetings and impromptu small prayer gatherings may be legitimate contexts for
praying in tongues louder than under the breath.
3. Pursuing Tongues.
So what are we
to do? If speaking in tongues is a
significant and important sign and experience of the new covenant blessing of
the Holy Spirit; if it clearly edifies the individual and glorifies God and is
heartily endorsed by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 14:8); yet, if the use of the
gift, particularly without interpretation, will effectively drive away
newcomers, what are we to do? Many of us
perhaps have experienced the Uncle Zeke effect as well as the distraction of a
worship gathering by the inappropriate use of tongues. Listen to what Sam Storm says.
“I know what it’s like to feel revulsion toward speaking in tongues. For many years I mocked those who claimed to experience this phenomenon. I know what it’s like to feel embarrassed by a sudden, uninterpreted outburst that shatters the solemnity of a worship service and disrupts the sense of holy awe and reverence. But I urge you not to let the discomfort caused by an unseemly incident forever harden you against the possibility that this might well be a gift of God. We must never forget that the gift of tongues was God’s idea, not man’s. He gave this gift to the church no less than the gifts of teaching, mercy, exhortation, and evangelism. Let’s resolve from the outset not to spurn or ridicule something precious in God’s sight, graciously bestowed by a loving heavenly Father who gives only good gifts to his children.” Sam Storms
Paul’s
heart-felt attitude was, “I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you”
(1 Corinthians 14:18). Earlier Paul
tells the Corinthians to “eagerly desire the spiritual gifts”, inclusive of
tongues and “Now I want you all
to speak in tongues” (1 Cor 14:5). Paul did
not eliminate tongues speaking because it was not useful for public
edification; he put it in its proper place.
“What am I to do?” he asks, “I will pray with my spirit. But I will pray with my mind also; I will sing
praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Cor. 14:15). Although the restrictions on tongues
prohibits open public use without interpretation, we must do all we can to
enjoy this wonderful gift in its right context such as private prayer and
worship.
You see,
although this gift may appear like Uncle Zeke in the attic it is more like Aunt
Emma, the prayer and worship warrior.
Have you ever known anyone like that.
I remember an Aunt Emma of sorts, an elderly woman I knew names Emma Hurd. When I was a brand new believer I helped her take care of her ill brother. I got to spend time with her talking about the bible and praying. She knew God. She might have seemed a little eccentric to some but if you wanted to pray with someone Emma was the person.
Well, the gift
of tongues is way better than Emma. This
wonderful gift is given us that we might pray and praise God in words
inexpressible and find ourselves built up in the Lord. Although it has limited public benefit, this
wonderful gift has extensive personal benefit.
Let us pursue
this gift – out of love for God and our need to be built up in him. All His gifts are good – very good. He has chosen to pour out his Spirit on you
and grant his people the gift of tongues.
Although 1 Cor. 12 teaches us that not all speak in tongues we can say
it was a very common gift in the early church.
We see it commonly throughout Acts.
We see it throughout the Corinthians church. We hear Paul saying, “ I want you all to
speak in tongues.” My question is, do
you want you to speak in tongues?
Pursue
love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts.
We must
zealousy desire Spiritual gifts,