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}

The Gift of Prophesy

"For to one is given by the Spirit ... prophecy" - 1st Corinthians 12:9a, 10b

This is not the same gift as in the Old Testament.

Back then prophecy was reserved just for special holy men. When normal people wanted to hear from God they would go to a prophet and ask him to pray and to speak for God.

Everyone in Christ can now prophesy!

"For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted." - 1st Corinthians 14:31

Prophesy now has three main purposes -

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." - 1st Corinthians 14:3

I heard a preacher, long ago in Ferguson, Kentucky, say this verse means prophecy is to

Build up,
Stir up, and
Cheer up.

So how is that different from modern day preaching?

Preaching is a prepared (hopefully) lesson from the mind and heart of a preacher but prophesy, like other gifts of the Holy Spirit, is given at the moment to an individual specifically for a circumstance often unknown by the speaker.

It, too, is accompanied by a strong urge to speak, which is hard to shake but can be ignored by the one called on by God to give it.

A wise pastor will encourage his flock to begin speaking these urgings, understanding when mistakes are made, and without condemnation teach how to recognize God's wonderful gift of Prophesy.

- fritz