THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY MARCH 19, 2023.

SUBJECT: THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUE! 

Memory verse: "For he who speaks in tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries." (First Corinthians 14 vs 2.)

READ: First Corinthians 14 vs 2 - 5:

14:2: For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

14:3: But he who prophesies speaks edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men. 

14:4: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but he who prophesies edifies the church.

14:5: I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that prophesied: for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

INTIMATION:

Speaking in tongue is a special prayer language, and a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a heavenly language unknown to anyone, and considered as languages of angels. The gift of speaking in tongues that continues throughout church history and is so widespread today is the Spirit-prompted ability to pray and praise God in a heavenly dialect, possibly even an angelic language that is not related to anything spoken on earth such as English or French or German or Latin. 

The Holy Spirit personally crafts or creates a special and unique language that enables a Christian to speak to God in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. This gift is not a human language that one might encounter in some foreign country, but a Spirit-empowered capacity to speak meaningful words that are only understood by our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God can also provide the interpretation through the one speaking or through another believer. 

It is noteworthy that speaking in tongues is not a sign of spiritual superiority nor the invariable sign of Spirit-baptism or Spirit-filling. There are numerous instances in Acts of true conversion and Spirit-baptism where no tongues are mentioned. No one should put down those Christians who do not speak in tongues. The apostle Paul made several points about speaking in tongues: (1) It is a spiritual gift from God; (2) it is a desirable gift even though it isn’t a requirement of faith; (3) it is less important than prophecy and teaching. Speaking in tongues primarily benefits the speaker. 

The exercise of the gift demands some guidelines so that the purpose of the gift—to help the body of Christ—is not lost. Those who speak in tongues should follow the guidelines. Those who do not speak in tongues ought not seek the gift as a sign of salvation or for special closeness with God, for it is neither. It is a gift of God, given only to whomever God chooses. If a person has not experienced the gift of tongues, he or she ought not seek it but seek what gifts God has given.

The gift of speaking in tongues is of no value to the congregation as a whole, only to the person who speaks to God in the unknown language. But if the person also has the gift of interpretation, the tongue could be used in public worship if the one praying (or someone else with the gift of interpretation) would then interpret what has been said. This way the entire church or congregation would be edified by the gift. 

The apostle Paul says that the one who speaks in a tongue “speaks not to men but to God” (First Corinthians 14 vs 2). This means that tongues is a form of prayer: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (First Corinthians 14 vs 14.) 

Tongues is also a form of praise: “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (First Corinthians 14 vs 15.) 

It is also a way in which we give thanks to God: “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the room of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.” (First Corinthians 14 vs 16 - 17.) 

Tongues is also a way in which we edify or strengthen ourselves: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” (First Corinthians 14 vs 4.) It is noteworthy that self-edification is a good thing, as we are commanded in Scripture to edify ourselves: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 20.) Self-edification is only bad if it is done as an end in itself. It is good to take whatever steps you can to edify yourself, to build up and strengthen your soul, so that you might be better able and equipped to build up others (see First Corinthians 12 vs 7). 

The self-oriented use of the gift of tongues by believers must be carefully practiced in order not to pursue self-development at the expense of broken, lost people. When we give too much attention to our own needs, ideas, and spiritual expression, we may push aside the Spirit’s true desire and abandon those who need encouragement. 

Spiritual gifts are beneficial only when they are properly used to help everyone in the church. We should not exercise them only to make ourselves feel good. No matter what gift(s) a person has, all spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit decides which gift each believer should have. We are responsible to use and sharpen our gifts, but we can take no credit for what God has freely given us.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for Your manifold spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. I crave for the gift of speaking in tongues that can enable me communicate with You directly; praying, praising, and giving You thanks, and edify myself; building myself up in the most holy faith, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!