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Friday, March 28,
2008
Mature
In Christ
1 Corinthians 14:1-4 Follow
after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
(2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries. (3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification,
and exhortation, and comfort. (4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue
edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (KJV)
Paul ended chapter 13 by
talking about childish things and then begins chapter 14 here teaching
about love and how to operate in the love of God. Again verse 1 uses the
term gifts, which is an added word not in the original text. Everything we
have been talking about this week points back to the gift of Christ and how
we as believers can allow His Spirit to manifest through us for our profit.
One of the childish things Paul saw happening in the Church was the
speaking in tongues and the improper use of it. While many were just
rattling off in tongues to the congregation as I still see going on today,
few knew the importance of prophesying which simply means to speak under
the inspiration of the Spirit. Basically what was being asked is what is
going to be the most edifying to the body, speaking words of life that will
build up or speaking something that is not understood and of no avail.
1 Corinthians 14:5-6 I would
that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater
is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he
interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (6) Now, brethren, if I
come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I
shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying,
or by doctrine? (KJV)
It’s not that Paul was
forbidding the manifestation of tongues in the Church it was that he was
trying to instruct them on how it was to be done decently and in order;
something that would be from the motive of love to build up the Church and
not to confuse it. So unless there is an understanding to what is being
spoken then there should be nothing said.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the
Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for
the saints according to the will of God. (KJV)
The Spirit will pray through
you with groanings or utterances which without an understanding should not
be uttered. Though these may be in the form of a tongue or an unknown
language to the believer, it is the Spirit within you praying to the Father
on behalf of all His people. So unless you’re sure what is being spoken
Paul is saying it is best to keep it to yourself.
Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And
for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an
ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (KJV)
Again Paul wasn’t forbidding
the use of tongues but rather was teaching them how to effectively operate
with a new tongue which is a result of the new heart. Paul knew how to pray
and communicate with God as well as allowing God to communicate His message
of salvation back through Him, to reveal the mystery of the gospel. His
desire was one of love, one to speak boldly, so that it would point the
people to God and build them up, giving them an understanding into the
mystery of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14:7-12 And even
things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a
distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? (8)
For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to
the battle? (9) So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to
be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak
into the air. (10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the
world, and none of them is without signification. (11) Therefore if I know
not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a
barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. (12) Even so
ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel
to the edifying of the church. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for
barbarian:
915 barbaros-
1) one whose
speech is rude, rough and harsh
2) one who
speaks a foreign or strange language which is not understood by another.
Again what is your motive
when you come together? If you are trying to impress others then you will
be like a barbarian to others, or like someone from a foreign country who
is trying to communicate a message that is not discernable. Like verse 12
alludes to, desire Spiritual; something that will build up the Church and
not self.
1 Corinthians 14:13-20 Wherefore
let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (14)
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding
is unfruitful. (15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I
will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I
will sing with the understanding also. (16) Else when thou shalt bless with
the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (17)
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (18) I
thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church
I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I
might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (20)
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men. (KJV)
If you are unable to
interpret a tongue, whether it is in the form of a doctrine or what someone
considers knowledge or any other utterance, unless it is done with
understanding then they should keep silence. In other words quit acting
like a bunch of children with a new toy, if you don’t know how it works you
will end up causing more harm than good. Like Paul said, he would rather
speak five words that would build up and edify, than sounding off like some
auctioneer that makes a lot of noise without any substance.
Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying
also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the
mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it
manifest, as I ought to speak. (KJV)
The most important gift that
we can covet and hold to is the gift of Christ and all that we have access
to through His name. For those that are going to mature in Christ and
effectively allow the Spirit to manifest through them will be those who
have learned how to speak and teach the mystery of Christ from the motive
of love. Let’s put away childish things and come to a loving and mature
understanding of God and how He desires His people to operate and speak on
His behalf.
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