2 Factions
As a young christian in ntu 6 years ago, a well-meaning school-mate warned me about this charismatic tongue thingy and the falling-under-the-power-of-the-Spirit trick. The main argument against tongues is, of course, the textbook verse ..
1 Cor 13:8 "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away."
As I think of this verse today, I am rather amused by the line of arguement - Tongues has ceased. Yet looking at this verse in context, we discovered that Paul was actually trying to say that once we get to Heaven, we will no longer need prophecies, or tongues, or even knowledge as everything will be revealed with God up close and personally.
Anyway, I assumed u guys are not in that minority. I had always believed if something is of God, every sincere christian that may once opposed to it will eventually realised God is on the other side.
What's that thing?
Mk 16:12 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;"
Acts 2:4 "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Tongues, commonly known as praying in the Spirit, seemed to me to be endorsed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Most christian circles in Singapore will acknowledge it as a manifestation of the Spirit.
1 Cor 12:7-11 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
In other words, we can all agree that it is at least of one the stuff that comes with being filled by the Holy Spirit. Its like a gift from our Heavenly Father!
1 Cor 14:2 "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."
One of the Greek word for tongue is language. The above verse seems to imply that it can be a language that not man, but God, understands. There are other occurences which implies it's a known language on earth. I will probably leave that to the theologians.
Benefits?
One of the toughest issues is .. does it make me a better christian if I speak in Tongues? Or does it make me any lesser if I don't speak?
1 Cor 14:32 "the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."
God will not force anyone to do the things we are unwilling to do. So its more a matter of choice if we actually want to ask God for this gift, or if we already had this gift, to utilize it.
I may not be a clever property guy like Phil, but I did find some good benefits in our favourite book!
Through praying in Tongues ..the Holy Spirit can actually make intercession for us. He's the one that searches our heart and knows our weaknesses. And most importantly, He knows the will of God.
Rom 8:26-27 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. "
1 Cor 2:10-12 "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. "
Beside helping us to pray for stuff, the bible seems to imply that our spirit man also gets strengthened. It may be a workout for our spirit man, so he won't grow fat and lazy hehe! It's like sharpening your spiritual senses so your spirit will be alert and able to discern.
1 Cor 14:4 "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."
1 Cor 14:14 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays .."
Boundaries?
Before I wrapped up the article, lets take a look at some of the boundaries.
1) Live a life filled with Love! Don't just talk the talk, but also walk the walk!
1 Cor 13:1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."
2) Pray you can interpret. Otherwise, if you are married, make your spouse interprets.
1 Cor 14:13 "Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret."
3) Pray with words and tongues. Be balanced! Sing with words and tongues too!!!
1 Cor 14:14-16 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."
4) Do most of your homework .. at home! Nobody will appreciate it if you speak in tongues non-stop during church or lunch.
1 Cor 14:18 "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue."
1 Cor 14:22-25 "Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you."
5) In a group context without interpretation, do pray to God in tongues when you felt led. And yes .. do exercise discretion!
1 Cor 14:27-28 "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God."
Conclusion?
1 Cor 14:39 "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues."
I thank God for you if you manage to read until here without deleting the mail. I myself have not been exercising spiritually, so let us not neglect our spirit man and do the "Big Workout" whenever we have the opportunity!
28th Aug 2004
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