The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 4 February 2022 – The Gift Of Tongues
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TOPIC: The Gift Of Tongues
READ: 1 Corinthians 14:1-19 (NKJV)
- Pursue love, and desire spiritual [gifts,] but especially that you may prophesy.
- 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.
- But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
- He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
- 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.
- But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
- Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
- For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
- So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
- There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them [is] without significance.
- Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks [will be] a foreigner to me.
- Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual [gifts, let it be] for the edification of the church [that] you seek to excel.
- Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
- For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
- What is [the conclusion] then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
- Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
- For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
- I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
- yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
THE MESSAGE:
Speaking in tongues is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:28). Speaking in tongues is speaking to God. It edifies the Church, especially when there is an interpreter. It can simply be defined as “Speaking in Language.” It is an individual’s supernatural ability to speak in a language never before learned or spoken as a native tongue. Speaking in tongues is called Glossolalia which is made up of two Greek words: Glossa meaning tongues or language and Lalia from the verb also to speak. Speaking in tongues is mentioned in various places in Acts and other places like Mark 16:17, “… they will speak in new tongues”. Speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22); it is a means of passing on the Gospel to them (Acts 2:10-11). It is also a means of prayer (1 Corinthians 14:14). Speaking in tongues is so important that Paul said, when there is an interpretation, “I want you all to speak in tongues.” He exhorted the Church, “don’t forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39, NLT).
In line with this, the Church should encourage speaking in tongues where there is interpretation. Otherwise, it should be restricted to personal prayer for self-edification. Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
PRAYER: Thank You Father for enduing us with spiritual gifts. Stir up the gift of tongues afresh in our lives. Amen.
