Spiritual Gifts / Tongues
Spiritual gifts are portions of God's grace. They display the personal powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and are given to every believer for the common good of the church.
In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul tells us to earnestly desire (the Greek word: zeloo, meaning to be zealous for, to burn with desire, to pursue ardently, to desire eagerly or intensely) the best gifts.
Though there is or may be a variation regarding each believer's "dominant" gifting from God's creative work in us, the Holy Spirit will give us whatever is needed to minister in distinct circumstances. (I Corinthians 12:11). He distributes these gifts freely and readily in the moment of need in order to enable the believers to minister effectively in Jesus' name.
Spiritual gifts are not badges of honor or signs of spiritual maturity. They are not "earned". The attitudes we need to have concerning the gifts, includes our being willing, available, and good hearted friends of Jesus. Also, we are to be compassionate friends of those in need, confident of God's promises, and have the realization of the powerful gifts He gives us to minister to the need that is present.
Although other "gifts" are spoken of in the New Testament, we will begin our study by looking at one of the nine gifts mentioned in I Corinthians 12:1-11, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 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. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
I would like to begin our "gifts" lessons by starting with the gift of tongues, which I believe is the most controversial and least understood. Note that the last part of verse 10 above states, "to another different kinds of tongues..." The Bible clearly teaches both public and private exercises and benefits of the gift of tongues.
The following verse shows us that tongues, which are by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is a language or languages that are not learned by the speaker and could also be the language of angels. I Corinthians 13:1a, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,.."
Jesus promised to baptize the believers with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:4-8, "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
The first example of receiving this gift and its use is found in Acts 2:1-11, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 "Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
When this promise was fulfilled in Acts 2, Jesus gave them evidence that they were truly baptized in the Holy Spirit. We want to notice that verse 4 of Acts 2 stated that they spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. It is important for us to recognize that the ability to speak in an unknown language is given by the Holy Spirit. As we continue this study, we will see various uses for this gift. In the previous passage, we note that they are speaking the languages of people from other countries, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. We see a three-fold use of this gift in this situation. It is evidence that the Spirit is at work, it testifies to these people from other countries, as they hear the wonders of God in their own language, and it bears witness to the believers that they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Some would argue that being filled with the Holy Spirit at the new birth is all there is. We have to understand; there is only one Holy Spirit, however, there are different levels of surrender to His will and giftings.
Ephesians 5:17-19 says, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord," Note the phrase, "be filled with the Spirit" in verse 18. According to the NSFL Bible," the tense of the Greek word for "be filled" makes clear that such a Spirit-filled condition does not stop with a single experience, but is maintained by continually being filled as commanded here." (This could be translated , to "be being filled"). "The Spirit is to influence all aspects of our lives, overflowing into transformed relationships, dynamic ministry, and enhanced worship which includes a personal prayer language (tongues)" Which would result in the "spiritual songs" mentioned in verse 19.
I Corinthians 14:1-5, "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 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. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification." We see in these verses that Paul begins his teaching to bring balance to the Corinthians church concerning tongues and prophesies. In verse one, he exhorted them to first of all "pursue love" and then to "desire spiritual gifts" and "especially that they may prophesy." In verse 2, he emphases that he who speaks in tongues speaks to God. Paul also says in verse 4 that he who speaks in tongues edifies himself. (another use of the gift of tongues) Jude 1:20, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"
Paul states that tongues plus an interpretation equal prophesy. We will look into this further at a later time.
Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:18, " I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all", which indicates to us that he properly used this wonderful gift of the Spirit often.
Some uses of the gift of tongues according to the scripture:
The gift of tongues is used as a prayer language as seen in Romans 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. 27 Now 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."
It is used in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:18, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--"
It is used in worship, as we saw in Ephesians 5:19, "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,"
The gift of tongues can be the evidence of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit as seen in Acts Chapter 2.
Then, combined with the interpretation of tongues, it equals prophesy.
The gift of tongues is an utterance given by the Holy Spirit, but, it is spoken by the believer. The Holy Spirit does not force you to speak. You have to be willing to use your mouth and tongue to speak. You hear in your heart or spirit, what the Holy Spirit wants to say, then, you speak what you hear.
The more intimate your relationship with God becomes, the more acquainted and tuned in you will become to His voice. The better you hear and recognize His voice, the more the Spirit will enhance your ability to use this wonderful gift.
Have you ever said, " I just don't know how to pray for a given situation?" Well, the Holy Spirit wants to help you!
Have you ever thought that your worship of God is not enough? Well, the Holy Spirit wants to help you!
Is your prayer life is lacking? The Holy Spirit wants to fill you and enhance your prayer life!
Luke 11:13 tells us that the Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Yes, it is that simple!
So, ask, believing!
What are you waiting for?
Ask, believing!
Luke 11:13, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Mark 11:24, ""Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
Praise God! His desire is that you would live and move in all His fullness, which He has prepared and made available to you! He does all things well. He wants to bless and use you for His glory!
Till next time...