Your Sons & Daughters Shall Prophesy - Prophetic Gifts Today In The New Testament Church

Christ's Continuing Voice in the Church

Verses 2 and 4. Paul includes four excellent reasons for speaking in tongues as he contrasts the beneficial use of tongues for the person with the profitable use of prophecy in a church meeting. 1. To speak to God. The ability to speak privately and directly to God is a wonderful experience, "for you are sharing intimacies just between you and him" (Message). Believers should still use their native language in prayer a good deal of the time, but this additional channel for occa sional use is a delightful devotional variation that gives inspiration and confidence. The Bible clearly speaks of both kinds of prayer. "When I pray in tongues," says Jack Hayford, "I'm talking to God. Period! Whatever else anyone may say about the employment of spiritual language, this is the Bible's bottom line. Tongues are connected to heaven's throne; that's all there is to it." 14 Bursting forth in tongues in church because of per sonal excitement, however, would not build up the Christians present and it could confuse visitors. 2. To speak mysteries. Spiritual language enables a person to under stand things that otherwise have been hidden. I have discovered that when I pray in tongues my mind is not disconnected; in fact, it seems sharper and clearer than at any other time. Perception of how to pray for certain missionaries, insights on a certain Scripture,impressions about God's direc tion for the day-all these can be part of this unveiled understanding. 3. To edify oneself This may seem self-serving, but actually it is very spiritual! Consider that God has made intentional provision for your encouragement. I have found, to my amazement, that when I am dis couraged and hardly know how to express myself to God, praying in the language of the Spirit has lifted me out of my mental quagmire and given me spiritual inspiration. I cannot explain how this "building up" (edifi cation is a builder's term) 15 actually happens, but I know it does. When a person gets bogged down, this wonderful channel of the Spirit is a pow erful means to break free. Sometimes it is helpful to allow the Spirit to bring additional new tongues, rather than just the one spiritual tongue you may be accustomed to using. This is easily done: Simply open your mind to the possibility, ask for the Spirit's help, yield to Him, then speak. To flow linguistically in several languages you do not know is truly exhilarating spiritually. Obvi ously, though, the church service is not the place for you to have your pri vate devotions. This is best accomplished in your own prayer closet. 4. To edify the Church. This takes place when a public interpretation is given with the tongue (verses 27-28). Combining tongues with interpre tation is a viable ministry. Usually the Spirit of God utilizes such commu nication when it is appropriate to have a specific message reach and impress someone speaking a given foreign language (which would be translation) ■ 216