Tuesday, June 24, 2008

• Spiritual Phenomenon

  I had an acquaintance ask me about what this spiritual phenomenon "speaking in tongues" is.  Speaking in tongues is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  Before the death of Jesus he told his disciples that, 'the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you' (John 14:26).  When Jesus resurrected and appeared to the disciples he instructed them to, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation' (Mark 16:15).  As Jesus instructed us, he said, 'And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well' (Mark 16:17).  The first appearence of this spiritual phenomenon of those that Jesus mentioned in Mark 16:17 was in fact speaking in tongues.  That's a pretty significant fact!  Of all the spiritual phenomenon signs mentioned, speaking in tongues is the first to appear followed by interpretation.  This happened at the day of the Pentecost, 'All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them' (Acts 2:4).

  Now that it's more transparent as to where speaking in tongues manifested from, what it's purpose for us believers?  I believe there are two purposes or significant reason why people speak in tongues the first one being, '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' (1 Corinthians 14:2).  In a sense, speaking in tongues allows us to spiritually communicate with God.  It builds our intimacy and relationship with Him with one-on-one.  In fact it's intentions are to speak to God not man.  The second one being, 'He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself' (1 Corinthians 14:4).  It allows us to spirtiual charge up our Armor of Faith and head out in the world to do God's will.  There are times when we get spiritually drained from the world and obstacles presented in our daily life.  God has given us a miraciously gift that allows us re-energize our spirits to battle Satan and his army.
  
  Many believe that there needs to be an interperter to interpret speaking in tongues.  Which is true, however; only when speaking in tongues to the congregation.  Paul states clearly, '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?' (1 Corinthians 14:6).  He continues to say, '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 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' (1 Corinthians 14:13-15).  Many believe that this passage means that speaking in tongues is unimportant if we are not able to interpert or edify the church.  If we look more closely at the context of what Paul's message is, he clearly is continuing on from his previous passage about speaking in tongues to the congregation with the words, 'for this reason.'  Paul also gives us an example of what he means, 'If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand 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' (1 Corinthians 16-17).  I'm not saying that there isn't a need for an interpreter there is, but only when your speaking to the congregation in tongues.  For when you personally pray in tongues to God you are uttering mysteries to Him and there is no need for an interpreter.  Majority of the time, this is when speaking in tongues truly occur  within our church when we personally pray in tongues with God.  Only on rare occasions does a person speak to the congregation in tongues and usually when this does occur they are the interpeter.  Even with that said Paul states, 'Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1).  Regardless of whether we are speaking in tongues to the congregation or ourselves, we should eargerly desire  the spirtual gifts of interpretation.  There are other passages in Pauls message to the church of Corinthians that gives us more examples of what he means: 1 Corinthians 14:18.
  
  What are unbelievers to think of this spiritual phenomenon, speaking in tongues?  Paul gives us an insight full message, 'So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?  But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" ' (1 Corinthians 14:23-25).  Don't misunderstand the context of what Paul is proposing.  He's telling us the difference and usage between prophesizing and speaking in tongues.  So let speaking in tongues be used for edifying yourself unless it's used to edify the church with revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction and let prophecy be used to strength, encourage, and strengthen men (1 Corinthians 14:3,6). 
  
  Personally, upon my first encounter of speaking in tongues as half believer and half unbeliever speaking in tongues was more of a sign and confirmation that God does exist!  I truly believe and felt that this was a supernatural phenonmenon gift and sign from God.  It wasn't until my first encounter of speaking in tongues that I was able to do some research and speak with others who have the gift of speaking in tongues that brought me the truth written above. 
  
  Final question, is it really revelant that we receive this special gift 'speaking in tongues' from God?  Without a doubt, yes!  It's the manifestation of the Spirit!  Not only should we seek and desire for speaking in tongues, but additional seek the other spirtual gifts as well, '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 the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines' (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).  Meaning that if you are filled with the Holy Spirit you should be given a gift just as the Spirit determines.  Paul also instructs us to, 'Follow the way of love and desire spiritual gifts [...]' (1 Corinthians 14:1).  We were given a command to follow the way of love for without love is the non-exisitance of God, for God is love.  So we must follow the way of God and desire spiritual gifts.
  
  What spiritual gifts do you have given by the Holy Spirit?

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