FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCIPLESHIP
THE GIFTS
OF THE SPIRIT – XXIII
THE GIFT
OF DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES - III
1 Corinthians 12:10 …to another diver kinds of
tongues…
It
is interesting to note that this gift is, in the opinion of many believers, the
least of the gifts. I have even heard
people remark that they would not want this gift because it is the least of the
gifts. They disregard the absurdity and
the illogic of their remark suggesting that any gift from IAUE would not be
desirable. Can you actually imagine turning down a gift offered to you by the
Almighty? If IAUE wanted to give His
children a speck of dust, I would be the first person in line to receive one;
and I would be grateful that my Creator had given it to me. It would also be a
treasured thing in my life constantly reminding me of the goodness of IAUE to
me; and I would be careful to do with it whatever He wanted me to do with it…every
single day of my life. Is this how we
relate to the gifts that the Spirit of IAUE has given to us? I have met precious few believers that have
ever expressed thankfulness for their spiritual gifts. I share this idea with you in hopes that you
will begin to express your gratitude for the gifts that have been given to you.
How do you respond to a friend or family member when they give you a gift? Why should you treat IAUE with less courtesy
and appreciation? If you were openly
thankful for your gifts, you might just find them working in a more prolific
manner in your life.
This
gift of divers kinds of tongues is the only gift of the Spirit to which we have
devoted three posts to discuss. That is
largely because there is so much misinformation and confusion abounding
regarding this gift. Let’s recap some of
what we have covered about this gift.
- All who receive the Holy Spirit may
experience this gift.
- Speaking/praying in tongues is
speaking/praying to IAUE…it is not speaking to men. (You don’t pray unto men.)
- Praying in tongues edifies you…it
builds up your faith and charges your spirit.
- While speaking/praying in
tongues, mysteries are being discussed and the revelation of those
mysteries are being implanted within our spirit.
- The Holy Spirit enables our
spirit to pray that which is within the perfect will of IAUE.
- There is no benefit to the
assembly to speak in tongues unless it is interpreted.
- If you speak in tongues, you should pray that you may interpret. This suggests that all may receive the gift of interpretation of tongues; otherwise, why would be asked to pray that we interpret?
Let’s
continue our examination of Paul’s words regarding this gift.
1 Corinthians 14:
21 In the law it is written, With men of other
tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will
they not hear me, saith IAUE.
Verse
21 specifically refers to the event that occurred on the day of Pentecost in
Acts 2. The apostles and disciples in
the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues
as the Spirit gave them utterance. Jews
from nations all around the Mediterranean seaboard were in Jerusalem for the
celebration and heard them in their own native languages praising IAUE and recounting
to Him His mighty acts. Most disciples
today have never experienced a similar manifestation; but remember this gift is
called “divers/various kinds of tongues.”
Paul’s own commentary in 1 Corinthians 13:1 indicates the “various”
kinds of tongues are the tongues of men and of angels. Most of the time what we speak is an “unknown”
tongue (unknown to men, today; i.e., the language of angels, or possible a “dead”
language; a language that is no longer spoken by men on the earth, today.). This is generally the experience within the
assembly of believers, which is why its use is discouraged unless someone with
the gift of interpretation of tongues is present to edify the assembly
regarding what was spoken.
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.
This
gift is a sign to the unbeliever when it is spoken in a language known by the
hearer, as it was on the day of Pentecost.
Though it does not appear to be a common occurrence, many believers have
reported speaking in tongues in circumstances where they spoke in the known
language of those who could hear them.
When an unbeliever knows the one speaking does not know the language that
he/she is speaking, it demands that the unbeliever acknowledges a supernatural
power is at work; and thus, it creates an issue of accountability within them
to that power…to IAUE.
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?
In
1972, shortly before I received the Holy Spirit, I was a student at the
University of Texas, and the charismatic renewal had come to UT. There was a 3-story home on the edge of
campus (which was directly across the street from where I was living) that was
converted to a gathering place for newly Spirit-filled believers. It was called, “The Well.” A curious friend of mine (with a Methodist
background) joined me one evening as we dared to enter the building and observe
their time of fellowship. There were
approximately 70 “Well” members present for the meeting. They had a time of singing (this was before
the church of today recognized what is now commonly known as a “praise and
worship” service). At the climax of
their singing, the entire lot of them began speaking and singing in tongues. My friend immediately looked at me and said, “Let’s
get out of here!” Once outside, he said,
“I respect them like I do the Jews and the Catholics; but it’s not for me.” He really didn’t know what he was saying
because he was terrified of what happened and could not get out of that
building fast enough. Like Paul said, if
all speak in tongues and there comes in the unlearned or unbeliever, will they
not say, “You are mad!”? This is exactly
what churches are doing every time they get together and all begin to pray or
sing in tongues. They think it is “cool,”
but they have no clue how much damage they are doing to the unlearned or
unbelievers who have come into their assembly.
It is improper and disobedient, and it violates the order of the
assembly. It should only be done when
100% of the attendance are known to be Spirit-filled, tongue-talking believers.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of
you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
Once
again, Paul emphasizes the purpose of the gifts. They are to edify and build up the
church. They should never be used in a
way that goes against that objective.
Speaking in tongues in the assembly without being interpreted goes
against that objective. I know people will
read this and object; but their objection will be because this denies them
something they enjoy doing. It isn’t because
they have respect unto IAUE or unto Yahushua and their express authority to say
what may or may not take place in the assembly of believers.
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.
If
what he had just said was not enough, Paul continues to explain that if there
are going to be those who speak in tongues within the assembly, let no more
than three occurrences take place within the assembly; and let someone
interpret what has been spoken in tongues so the assembly may be edified. Limiting it to 2 or 3 is not intended to be a
law; but rather, it was restrictive because the church at Corinth had a
particular problem in this area; and Paul, as a wise master builder of the
church, desired to impose the restriction to enforce order.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him
keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Again,
Paul reinforces the prime objective of all things edifying the church.
Many
years ago, I was visiting the church pastored by a very good friend of
mine. He pastored a denominational
church that was not known for its participation in the charismatic renewal;
though he had many gifted believers in his church. The Sunday morning worship service was fairly
traditional. The Sunday evening service was where the constraints were let
down, the the gifts of the Spirit were allowed to flow. That particular Sunday morning, the “praise
and worship” service was especially wonderful; and my friend, the pastor, was
helping to lead the signing from the pulpit area. His eyes were closed, his hands uplifted, and
then he heard it. “Speak in tongues.” IAUE had instructed him to speak in tongues
in the Sunday morning service. He immediately
countered IAUE by explaining that THAT is reserved for the evening
service. Again, the Father told him what
He wanted him to do. At that point, the
pastor squinted open his eyes and saw me, the only person still standing in the
entire congregation, totally lost in worship, and oblivious that I was the only
person still standing and worshipping.
Everyone else was already seated and looking at the pastor to lead them
in the next part of the service.
Seeing
me in the congregation still very much connected to the Spirit of IAUE; and
knowing I had the gift of interpretation of tongues, he obeyed IAUE and spoke
in tongues in the Sunday morning service.
As soon as he finished speaking, I immediately gave the
interpretation. It was only after I
finished interpreting what had been spoken in tongues that I opened my eyes and
realized I was the only person in the church still standing.
My
point in sharing that story is to say that we should not presume to speak in
tongues of our own volition in the assembly; but when IAUE instructs us to do so;
He will have an interpreter present so the assembly may be edified.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak
with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
See? Paul was not trying to clamp down on the use
of this gift. He intended to foster a
greater respect for the gift and for the believers’ understanding of its role
in their personal lives versus its use within the assembly.
Next
week: The gift of interpretation of tongues.
Kingdom
heart: a heart that offers no resistance to the
performance of the will of IAUE.
