ListenDaily - 11 February 2009; What does the Word say? p.2
It is vital, in our search for the truth about speaking in tongues, that we know what the Scriptures say. Yesterday we looked at a variety of passages, today we will look at a series of verses from 1 Corinthians, chapters 12-14. As with yesterday's Scriptures, look for the place or role of the speaker, the hearer, and God in these instances, and see what else God shows you while reading.
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom...to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues...are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way. I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal...Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled...
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand[l] say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
What is the role of the speaker? The hearer? God?
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. From 1 Corinthians 12-14
(find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
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Questions:
1. What thoughts or feelings does this reading raise?
2. What did you learn today?
3. What will you do with that?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"We are the Bibles the world is reading;
We are the creeds the world is needing;
We are the sermons the world is heeding."
Billy Graham
"Our seminaries today are turning out dead men."
Leonard Ravenhill
"Courage is contagious.
When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
Billy Graham
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