The Importance of Speaking in Tongues
Theme:
Text: 1 Corinthians 14
1 ¶ Follow after charity (love), and desire (be zealous for, let it be a burning desire, pursue ardently, desire eagerly or intensely) spiritual gifts ,
But covet earnestly the best gifts: (1 Corinthians 12:31 AV)
Spiritual Gifts: 1 Cor 12:8-10,28
For to one is given by the Spirit the (1) word of wisdom; to another the (2) word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another (3) faith by the same Spirit; to another the (4) gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the (5) working of miracles; to another (6) prophecy; to another (7) discerning of spirits; to another (8) divers kinds of tongues; to another the (9) interpretation of tongues: (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
but rather that ye may prophesy.(especially desire the gift of prophecy) 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification (strengthening), and exhortation (encouragement), and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:1-5 AV)
Introduction
Chapter 14 of 1 Corinthians has been used to discredit or diminish the use of speaking in tongues. Because Paul builds up the gift of prophecy here it seems to some that there is now no purpose for “tongues”. And yet all that Paul is doing is trying to give order to the church. Trying to give understanding to the gifts that God has given, especially to this gift of tongues. Before the Day of Pentecost the gift of tongues was not used. It is the only gift that is unique to the God’s New Testament church. There were prophets who would be moved on by the Holy Ghost and preach but yet there were no tongues.
It would seem that in the New Testament church there was an misunderstanding of the use and purpose of tongues. It was a gift that was on everyone’s mind and the other gifts were being neglected especially the gift of prophecy which is the “interpreting of these tongues”.
Today it seems we don’t have this as a major problem. The gift of tongues has diminished somewhat. Whereas in the New Testament church the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost was speaking in tongues today this has been watered down in that all you have to do is believe that you have received the Holy Ghost and it happens.
There are two extremes today. One group that says tongues are for the past and that the gifts of the Holy Ghost are no longer in operation today and the other group who is teaching the speaking in tongues. Who has tapes of words to say, “untie my bow tie”.
I am still of the belief that there is a great purpose to this speaking in tongues. This purpose goes beyond the fact of just a gift but a special relationship that is there. A special prayer language and a way of worship.
Before I begin let me say that I am not advocating tonight for a person to seek “speaking in tongues”. This is a gift that is given from the Holy Ghost. We are to seek the gift from God. Our most important desire would be to draw closer to God and after we are saved, sanctified and filled with Holy Ghost the next logical step would be to seek for the working of the gifts of the Holy Ghost in our lives.
Tonight I would like to talk about the “Importance of Speaking in Tongues”. Speaking mainly against those who diminish the gift and say it has not purpose or work today. Also speaking against those who have taken this gift and made it into a man made work.
Let us look at 1 Cor.
Importance
1. The initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
2. Used as way of interpretation.
I. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh . . . unto God
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2 AV)
A. Tongues are addressed to God
A person who speaks in tongues has a special language that is addressed to God himself and the only one who can interpret or understand it is God. It is a special language. Not for the church but for God and as we will see for the edification of the person who receives the gift.
B. Prophecy is addressed to men for their edification, exhortation, and comfort
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation,
and comfort. (1 Corinthians 14:3 AV)
Prophecy is the gift to be desired most because it is the one for the church and the one that the church will understand the most. Prophecy is the interpretation of the tongues. The interpretation of the message that God wants to give. The assurance to the church that is still working. It may be a message of condemnation, warning, or encouragement but it is for the Church.
Paul tells us in verse 22 that tongues are a sign for unbelievers. Because it is a language that is spoken to God it is to show unbelievers that God is still on the throne. He is still God. He is in control and all powerful and “in the house”. Yet when it is interpreted it is for the church to hear, maybe a gift of encouragement, but also for the unbeliever in yet there could be the speaking of condemnation of sin. The revealing of sin in the life of the unbeliever.
The sinner knows that God is in the house because he hears his sin renounced.
II. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh mysteries
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2 AV)
“secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)”
Unless God gives us the gift of interpretation it is not for us to try to understand what these mean. We are not to write them down and analyze them but yet we are to know that they are a mystery yet to God. They are hidden.
III. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (1 Corinthians 14:4 AV)
A. 1 Cor 14:4
A person who speaks in tongues edifies himself. It is not for others to edify them but yet for them to be edified. I have said many times after I have preached a message or during a sermon I will speak in tongues. Do you hear it? Well I don’t know it is not my desire for you to hear it. I have nothing to prove it is God’s approval on the message that I have. I don’t want you to build me up but to build up God.
We don’t judge people by how much they speak in tongues anyway. But by the fruit in their lives. Sometimes we have missed the boat on this.
B. Jude speaks of the uplifting of Holy Ghost
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (Jude 1:20 AV)
C. Isaiah spoke of this as a refreshing
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest;
and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12 AV)
Paul uses the same language of Isaiah and from this passage we understand that it is a time of refreshing. Maybe a renewal of the Holy Ghost. Maybe a rest in the Lord.
D. Personal Edification
This edification does not involve the mind since the speaker does not
understand what he has said. It is a personal edification in the area of
the emotions, of deepening conviction, of fuller commitment and greater
love.
IV. He that speaks in tongues prays with His Spirit
A. It is hard to understand
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding
is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14 AV)
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that there was going to come a time when our worship would not depend on the place nor the ritual but we would worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
B. Paul carries this same thought in the next verse
¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also. (1 Corinthians 14:15 AV)
C. Man is body, soul and spirit
¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 AV)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
D. The Holy Spirit can transcend our thought process and make intercession for
us.
¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we
should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
V. He that speaks in tongues gives thanks well
The highest form of praise
A. God is a spirit so we really worship him the best with our spirit
¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how
shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving
of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Corinthians
14:15-16 AV)
Getting in tune with the Spirit of God and praising him with your spirit. God is a God of praise and worship. We must worship him and give him the thanks that he so richly deserves.
B. Mary saw this early
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47 AV)
C. Acts 10:46 tells us
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. (Acts 10:46)
VI. He that speaks in tongues edifies the church when the tongues are interpreted
A. The interpretation of tongues becomes prophecy or its equivalent
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for
greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he
interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:5 AV)
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may
interpret. (1 Corinthians 14:13 )
Conclusion
We are not desiring for the tongues but we are is a barometer in which we can judge how we are doing. How we are progressing. Are we drawing closer to the Lord? Are we achieving to God’s fullest? Are we living the “Victorious Christian Life”? Are we living the abundant life?
When is the last time you have spoken in tongues? It was so important to Paul? “I would that ye all spake with tongues,” Why? We have an opportunity to be ministered to and to minister to others.
