ListenDaily - 10 March 2009; Lord, is that You? Or is it me?
1 Corinthians 14 has more references to tongues, I believe, than any other passage. Let's look at verses 1-12:
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. 1 Corinthians 14:1-12 (find this or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." So then, after starting with love of God and our neighbors, we may begin to 'desire' that the Spirit bestow His gifts upon us, and be in His will as we do.
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. This is a clear and distinct statement, perhaps the first one, that indicates that there is a type of tongues that is a separate language, and that it is intended to be a believer's spirit communicating with God. (Worshipping in spirit and in truth?)
He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. Tongues are not the ultimate or greatest gift.
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. The majority of experiences I have had (and from the letters I have received, this seems to be the most common type of experience) concerning tongues, have been exactly as Paul describes here: individuals or groups, making what sounded to human ears, unintelligible noise, repetitive, and nonsensical. This does not invalidate the experiences of those people, but nothing was done that built up the church.
I also have first hand knowledge of an instant where a group encouraged a visitor to repeat a 'praise chant' over and over, faster and faster, and when the words became unintelligible the group claimed that tongues had been achieved.
Nonsense.
We must be very careful of any sort of emotional frenzy that begins with human activity. This is not to say that the Spirit cannot overcome someone, and that it will not be an emotional experience...but that starts when a person is still and open to God, then the Spirit moves. We cannot create this on our own...we can fake it on our own, and maybe even convince someone else.
This, my friends, is very, very dangerous.
Tomorrow: Interpretation
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Questions:
1. I think we are getting close to ending this discussion,,,what are your thoughts? Questions?
(I will not end it without a discussion on the Greek, and a few common teachings, thus far ignored.)
2. Have you ever been present in a situation similar to the one I described? (Many of you have related stories already.)
3. Many of you have mentioned divisions caused by this issue, how did that affect your 'church life', then and now?
AN INVITATION!
Come join the First Church of Facebook (no, this isn't a joke!)
Go here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=63164484154
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church
any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always."
A.W. Tozer
"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?
They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.
So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become unity conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier.
The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life."
A.W. Tozer
"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees.
He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness,
in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day.
If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day."
E.M. Bounds
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