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The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 14
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today
Happy to have you back again to enjoy more Daily Bread together. The
topic that Paul writes about next is quite interesting ... And quite
misunderstood by many. Let's try and clear things up a little bit
about speaking in tongues, shall we?
To talk in tongues is a spiritual gift but not everyone will have
this talk in tongues gift. If the ability to talk in tongues isn't
one of the spiritual gifts that God gave you, it doesn't mean that
there's something wrong with you. It doesn't mean you're a spiritual
nit wit, or inadequate, or anything like that. Paul explained that to
us a few chapters back, remember, in Chapter
12, that we are many parts, but one body of Christ and that there
are different gifts for different administrations.
To set your mind at ease even further, let's go back to what Jesus
said about the ability talk in tongues.
Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus is saying that these are the signs of His people, not
that every person will possess every gift. Does that mean that
if you don't talk in tongues, you're not a believer? Heaven's no! It
simply means that it isn't the gift that the Holy Spirit gave to you
to perform His will through your administration. There are churches
where people claim to talk in tongues every week when they attend,
and you may find it curious that all the people who attend any one of
those given churches, speak the same language. What's my point?
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Explained
First off, what is talking in tongues? The whole purpose of talking
in tongues is for the Holy Spirit to speak to another person, through
you. Look at Acts
2:4-11, the first time that this mysterious spiritual gift of
talking in tongues ever happened. The disciples that did talk in
tongues weren't speaking gibberish they were speaking in a universal
language where all could understand though they spoke
different languages.
Now, people who belong to these congregations where talking in
tongues (supposedly) is a regular practice, believe that if you have
never talked in tongues, that you must not be saved yet. This simply
isn't Truth. Look at Jesus' words above again, and I ask you, how
many of those people go to their church every week and cast out
devils, play with snakes, drink poison, and heal the sick?
Okay, hopefully your mind is at ease now if you're not gifted with
talking in tongues, but you're still wondering in the back of your
mind, Gee, I don't know anybody who has ever talked in tongues. Why
is that? Well, perhaps there has been no need. There are many people
who speak more than one language who interpret things for others.
It's probably a good guess that the Bible is written in every
language known to man in our day and age, whereas back in biblical
times, the availability of the written Word in different languages
was quite scarce, if it was even available at all. Greek and Hebrew
were probably the only two that were readily available. Another good
question to ask ourselves is this: Are we testing the Holy Spirit by
asking this?
Keeping in mind now, that talking in tongues was a more common
occurrence in Paul's time than it is nowadays, you can probably
assume that people back then wanted this amazing gift of talking in
tongues to be one of their spiritual gifts. Paul sheds some light on
the subject:
Chapter 14:1-5
1 Follow after charity [keep love as your number one
priority], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather [chiefly] that ye
may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not
unto men [as prophets do], but unto God: for no man understandeth
him; howbeit [although] in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification
[enlighten], and exhortation [for instruction], and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth [builds
up] himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth [improves] the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather [even
more] that ye prophesied: for [because] greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except [unless] he
interpret[s], [so] that the church may receive edifying.
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today is Real
In other words, Paul is saying it is better to prophesy from God so
people can hear HIS message than to walk around speaking in a
language that nobody understands. It only makes the one speaking
appear as though he or she were something special instead of God
getting the credit and praise.
Chapter 14:6-14
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues,
what shall I profit you [what good is it], except [unless] I shall
speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by
prophesying, or by doctrine [teaching]?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe
or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it
be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle [for war]?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy
to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall
speak into the air [for no benefit].
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices
[languages] in the world, and none of them is without signification
[meaningless].
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice [if I
don't understand the language], I shall be unto him that speaketh a
barbarian [a foreigner], and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian
unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of [Since you
are enthusiastic about] spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to
the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue
pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth,
but my understanding is unfruitful [unproductive].
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Truth
Did you catch that? If you pray in an unknown tongue, you may
understand it, but your understanding isn't benefiting anyone else.
When a message comes to you in "tongues" it is also referred to as a
message with the Spirit or by the Spirit. The message must be
understood by someone to be useful. So Paul says:
Chapter 14:15-19
15 What is it then? [What should I do when I get a message
by the Spirit?] I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with
the understanding also. [I will pray and sing so everyone can
understand.]
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall
he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of
thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well [sincerely], but the
other [person] is not edified. [They benefit nothing.]
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten
thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Now that is cool and very clear ...
Chapter 14:20-21
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in
malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, [Below is the scripture Paul
is citing:]
Isaiah 28:11-12
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will He
speak to this people.
12 To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may
cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would
not hear.
Chapter 14:22-23
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that
believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not
for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one
place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are
unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Concern
😁 ... Can you imagine that? Everyone talking in tongues and
nobody having any idea what the others are saying ... What gain is
there in this other than the ones speaking ... Thinking highly of
themselves.
Chapter 14:24-27
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that
believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all [by all that
he hears], he is judged of all [he is convicted by Truth]:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest [he
will see the light of Truth about his life]; and so falling down on
his face he will worship God, and report [admit] that God is in you
of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every
one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine [teaching], hath a tongue
[language], hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things
be done unto edifying [for betterment, not confusion].
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by
two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one
interpret.
It's not in a coliseum where many people witness it, but Paul says,
at the most, three people, and it is orderly, not everyone talking at
once, and one person will be able to interpret. It seems, that in
order to speak in tongues, you must be moved by the Spirit ...
Controlled by the Holy Spirit. So, that would mean that a person
couldn't simply speak in tongues (authentically) just because they
wanted to. They would have to be led by the Holy
Spirit.
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Facts
If anyone appears to be in control of their gift of speaking in
tongues, then chances are, they're faking it. (A good test is whether
or not someone is there who can interpret the language that they're
speaking in.) The Holy Spirit is the one who decides when and where
it's going to happen, so if every Sunday at precisely 10:47 a.m.
tongues are spoken in a congregation where there are no foreigners
that are unbelievers who can understand the Word that is spoken, and
it is not interpreted ... Then it's a good bet that somebody is
either pretending to speak in tongues for their own self edification
or should be directing these words to God in secret as it is written.
Chapter 14:28-35
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in
the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other
[prophets] judge [whether their message is authentically from the
Lord or not].
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by,
let the first hold his peace [keep silent].
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all may be comforted [encouraged].
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets [they cooperate with each other].
33 For God is not the author of confusion [disorder], but
of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Blessing or Curse
Now this is a topic many ignore or pretend away. It is said
that if you're a woman and you want to serve the Lord within your
church, there are plenty of things you can do that don't involve
speaking to the assembly. You can cook, or baby sit, or start a
women's club where you do things like make quilts for the needy. You
can teach the children in a Sunday school class, start a women's
Bible study group or countless other things that don't involve
speaking or usurping authority over men. 1 Timothy
2:11-12
But ... In Acts it says:
Acts 2:17-18
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will
pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
This means that what these females speak will not be their own words
or teachings but rather ... God's Word revealed by the Holy Spirit
through these female vessels. Lets get back to Paul's Study now shall
we?
Chapter 14:36-40
36 What? came the word of God out from you? [Did the Word
of God originally come from you?] or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,
let him acknowledge [agree] that the things that I write unto you are
the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet [desire] to prophesy, and
forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently [properly] and in order.
Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Summary
To be sure that we understand what Paul has said, he sums it up here.
He's not accusing anyone of anything, he's simply trying to teach the
righteous way of the Lord. He doesn't want any of us to think we know
everything. He just wants us to be righteous. He says, Hey, if you
think you're gifted in prophecy or spiritual matters, check for
yourself with what I've written to know for sure. If you're without
knowledge (ignorant) of these gifts, then so be it. (You don't have
to pretend.) So, it's good to wish for the gift of prophecy and don't
forbid people to speak in tongues, if some are sincerely speaking in
tongues you'd never want to stifle the Holy Spirit (1
Thessalonians 5:19-20). And last but not least, God likes order.
You have to admit, speaking in tongues is a fascinating spiritual
gift. But I must say one more thing. If you feel like you're missing
something by never having spoken in tongues, or never having heard it
before, remember what Jesus said to Thomas ... Blessed are they that
have not seen, and yet have believed (John
20:29).
We're getting close to the end of this first letter from Paul to the
Corinthians already, and it's been a very enjoyable study. Can't wait
to see you next time when we share another chapter, right here at
Daily Bread.
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