About Tongues

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There is a phenomena that has accompanied the Christian experience that is a little weird to outsiders or unbelievers. We don’t talk about it much because its generally an ‘in house’ conversation. Something amazing happened on the day of the Jewish Pentecost celebration in Jerusalem after Jesus had died and rose again. People spoke in a language (tongue) they themselves did not know, but others understood them because it was their native tongue and dialect. Wow! Then, it appears that on conversion, other believers spoke in tongues unknown to themselves and people marveled attributing the phenomena to the Holy Spirit. Ok, all that to say, some thirty years later, its still happening, but a little bit differently. The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church that they are abusing the gift of tongues which some experienced as a self-edifying unknown prayer language. The problem- with five or ten or fifty people all speaking like that, it would be pandemonium in the gatherings. So, Paul lays down some priorities of prophecy over tongues, everything orderly. Brilliant! I wonder, amongst my friends, who has experienced this fascinating phenomena? Would you share your experience? I would be grateful.

So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. 1 Corinthians 14:13-17 NLT

How do I endeavor to glorify God with my tongue in my native language? Have I sought the gift of tongues? Do I desire to prophecy and build others up more than myself?

God, as this day begins- I pray that I would build someone else up in their faith. Use my energy and enthusiasm to do so. I pause to earnestly desire the gifts You desire for me. Though I have not yet spoken in tongues, I am sure the Holy Spirit has control of my life. May He have full control, in Jesus name.

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