The Gift of Tongues: God's Holy Medication for the church

The gift of tongues is made for YOU to SPEAK GOD TALK

1 Corinthians 14:2

1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV84

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

This is a gift that God uses to bring growth in your life

1 Corinthians 14:4

1 Corinthians 14:4 NIV84

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

This gift comes with a warning label

1 Corinthians 14:5

1 Corinthians 14:5 NIV84

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

1 Corinthians 14:9

1 Corinthians 14:9 NIV84

So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:14

1 Corinthians 14:14 NIV84

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

1 Corinthians 14:23

1 Corinthians 14:23 NIV84

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

Just as Medication has a warning label, it also has instruction for use.

It may be used on those rare occasion to break down the communication barrier between you and unbeliever

Acts 2:9-11

Acts 2:8–11 (NIV84)

Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? ------we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Pray that the tongue will come with an interpretation

1 Corinthians 14:13

1 Corinthians 14:13 NIV84

For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.

It must be constructive for the Glory of God

1 Corinthians 14:26

1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV84

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Make sure you don’t give an overdose

1 Corinthians 14:27

1 Corinthians 14:27 NIV84

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.

If there is no interpretation then enjoy a time having a special talk with God

1 Corinthians 14:28

1 Corinthians 14:28 NIV84

If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

This gift seems a little “out There” is there really any value in it?

It can connect us with someone who normally we may have no common ground with

Acts 2:41-42

Acts 2:41–42 NIV84

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

It will give us a lift, a new song, a joy in fellowship with God

1 Corinthians 14:15

1 Corinthians 14:15 NIV84

So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

You are speaking the un-buffered word of God

1 Corinthians 14:21

1 Corinthians 14:21 NIV84

In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord.

It is meant to reach the lost because we see the person and God sees the heart

1 Corinthians 14:22

1 Corinthians 14:22 NIV84

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:24-25

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 NIV84

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

It brings a message of God’s will for the church that instructs, stimulates and encourages.

1 Corinthians 14:31

1 Corinthians 14:31 NIV84

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.