Spiritual Gift of Tongues (Part 2 of 2)

"For to one is given by the Spirit ... divers kinds of tongues" - 1st Corinthians 13:8a, 10d

Tongues is a hot topic in some churches. Godly people believe those who speak in tongues are of the devil and others, just as godly, believe only those who speak in tongues are saved - both sides saying they believe the Bible.

Tongues is a prophetic utterance in a human or angelic¹ language unknown by the speaker and sometimes to the hearers.

Its primary purpose is individual spiritual growth² but there are two (2) more I should mention.

1. The Bible says tongues are a sign to non-believers³ that this group of people is different, and not afraid to be so. They may be thought of as strange or crazy, but when everything "normal" fails one often inquires about the unique.

God excels at taking those who have tried the world's ways and found them wanting.

2. There's also another purpose and here, in combination with the gift of Interpretation of tongues, is its place in church services.⁴ It is encouraging when the church gathers and experiences an act of God. I have seen it, it's awesome!

Much of what we do in church is of human origin - our liturgy, our programs, our efforts as we express our love to God. It's awesome to experience God's response.

Sure we'll get it wrong sometimes and use God's gifts ineffectively but that's to be expected. A wise pastor will teach, direct in right ways, and encourage his people to step out in God's giftings.

Paul's admonition still stands

"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." - 1st Corinthians 14:39

- fritz

^{1 - 1st Corinthians 13:1
2 - 1st Corinthians 14:4
3 - 1st Corinthians 14:22
4 - 1st Corinthians 14:5}

Spiritual Gift of Tongues (Part 1 of 2)

"For to one is given by the Spirit ... divers kinds of tongues" - 1st Corinthians 13:8a, 10d

This gift has always been a little controversial so the apostle Paul goes into great detail in later in his letter.

Tongues is the prophetic utterance in a human or angelic ¹ language unknown by the speaker ² and sometimes the hearers.

Not engaging the speaker's language, it doesn't affect the speakers thinking unless it is interpreted² - so what is its purpose?

Paul lists several, but primarily as a tool to strengthen the participant's inner man.³

Originating from the speaker's human spirit (inner man) it is a direct prayer link between the speaker and God⁴ unhindered by the person's preferences and paradigms.

We dare not discount the importance of that; how and what we think affects our spiritual growth! If everything must be filtered through our thought processes much won't make it through!

This is so important Jesus' own brother wrote

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost keep yourselves in the love of God" - Jude 1:20-21a

Who can have this gift? As a manifestation of the Holy Spirit all in Christ have the equal access as any other spiritual gift.

We are admonished to seek the "best" gifts.⁵ Which is best? The one you need at the time, of course!

Do you need to be built up in your faith and kept in the love of God?

- fritz

^{1 - 1st Corinthians 13:1
2 - 1st Corinthians 14:14
3 - 1st Corinthians 14:4a
4 - 1st Corinthians 14:2
5 - 1st Corinthians 12:31}

You always have a choice!

"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." - God (Genesis 2:16-17)

With these words the Bible says God set man on his way. But why allow temptation and the opportunity to really mess things up? Why not keep mankind, along with the the pristine world, safe and protected? Because of Love.

"Love ... does not demand its own way" - 1st Corinthians 13:4a, 5b (New Living translation)

Evil tries to eliminate choice and allow only its own twisted way but God always promotes freedom and, with it, responsibility for one's choices. That is the way God is.

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" - Deuteronomy 30:19b

The first man made the wrong choice and we've been suffering since, but God sent the "Last Adam"¹ who made the right choices and offers freedom to all who will choose him.²

- fritz

^{1 - Last Adam: 1st Corinthians 15:45
2 - Adam & Christ compared Romans 5:13-15}

Making the Longest Journey

Love ... Puts up with anything, - 1st Corinthians 13:4a,7a (Message)

Someone said the longest journey is the distance between the head and heart.

We have a difficult home situation with people needing to be there, needing to be cared for, seemingly unable to make personal adjustments to cooperate or even to just get along - it has been an almost constant source of stress.

My lovely spouse and I have discussed and grappled with how to respond in love toward the family, but though I can know this is God's path, it hasn't resonated until I read this verse again and heard God speak it into my heart.

"Love puts up with anything." I don't think this means that anything goes but that I, with God's help, can have real heart felt compassion and forgiveness as we live together.

- fritz

Knowing What We Are, and Why

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." - 1st Corinthians 13:11

"I'm an atheist!" said the little girl at the Russian school we were visiting in 1992.

The Berlin wall had fallen and that vast communist country opened its doors and hearts to something different. We were there sharing our home education program in their schools and offering to partner with them in teaching character.

My friend said to this little girl, "Oh? What's an atheist?", and after thinking a while she responded, "I don't know."

We are sometimes like that little Russian student, thinking we believe something without really knowing what it means or why.

As believers we need to grow up and learn what is true and how to apply it in ways that actually make a difference.

-fritz

Taping Fruit onto a Tree

"Pursue Love..."¹

Trying to be loving doesn't work!

We are taught that to be a good Christian we must act like Christ but when we try we find it difficult indeed! I am never so angry, selfish, and miserable as when I try to not get mad, put others first, and be happy.

Dallas Willard tells of a different approach. Referring to the Beatitudes and 1^st Corinthians 13, the Bible's "Love" chapter, he wrote:

People... are taught to read it, as telling them to be patient, kind, free of jealousy, and so on...But Paul is plainly saying -- look at his words -- that it is love that does these things, not us, and that what we are to do is to "pursue love" (1 Cor. 14:1). As we "catch" love, we then find that these things are after all actually being done by us."²

Trying to not get angry, to put others first, or to be happy is like trying to produce fruit by taping it onto a tree. Fruit is produced by making sure the tree the kind wanted and that it is healthy - good fruit is the byproduct.

As we pursue Love, Himself³, our nature changes and we act accordingly.

- fritz

^{1 - 1st Corinthians 14:1a (New King James)
2 - The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, published by HarperCollins, copyright 1998, pg.187
3 - 1st John 4:16}

Loving God Like He Is

"Now we see a blurred image in a mirror"
- 1^st Corinthians 13:12a (Gods Word Translation)

Steve Meeks, Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Northwest Houston, told a story I shall never forget.

He was complaining to God about how murky things were. God seems to love riddles and speaks in parables, why doesn't he just make things more clear and make His ways more obvious?! That's when God asked Pastor Steve a question:

"Steve, why can't you just love me like I am?

We want God to accept us like we are, why can't we extend the same courtesy to Him and stop trying to make Him conform¹ to our expectations?

- fritz

¹ Related Post: God Needs No Explanations