As we come to the end of this “teaching-slash-commentary” I’d like to close with a few questions and answers regarding the use of spiritual gifts. These are questions I’ve had through the years. Perhaps you’ve had them, too.
Here we go:
Q. How I can tell when I’m in my spiritual gift or when I’m working outside my gifts and skills?
A. When a person is in their gift the activity is accompanied with a rich sense of joy - a delight in doing what is almost too good to be true! There is also a certain keenness, of a sharpness of mind, that comes into play. It’s a “just knowing what to do and how to do-it-ness” about the activity.” Spiritual activities don’t get blurred – or ill-defined – they become crystallized.
Conversely, when a person is outside her gifts there will be a general sense of draining. Energy will dwaine and “ministry” may become synonymous with “chore.” That’s not to say that ministry can’t be draining even when a person is in her gift, only that there is disposition of fatigue and “work” when a person has stepped into someone else’s spiritual turf.
Q. Can’t natural abilities be the same as spiritual gifts?
A. When we come to Christ there is no doubt that God takes our “water” and changes it to “wine” – meaning everything/all that we are is crucified and raised to new life in Christ. If you were a teacher before you were raised with Christ, you will still be a teacher afterward – howbeit your teaching will no doubt take on the added element of the fragrance of Christ. So, in one sense, “wine happens.”
There is a strong body of belief which states our gift(s) actually lie somewhat dormant in our hearts until awakened with Christ, that we are born with everything we need and everything we need will kick in to play the moment we surrender our lives to Christ. Before Christ, they are exhibited in society, but in a far less influential way than they would have been (or could have been) through a converted heart.
For example, a person with the “dormant gift of evangelism” may turn out to be a very influential person - like an Elvis, Sir Paul, or a convincing spokesperson for a “Just Say Yes” campaign - someone with a culturally defined, "natural charisma." Then, when the soul of that person becomes a new creation in Christ, their semi-dormant gift then becomes all that God originally intended it to be and things really kick into gear. Until that time, the gifts are used, and the person may find some sense of fulfillment therein, but their use is far less than God’s potential. (It’s difficult to argue with that because no one knows if it’s really true or not.)
Unless otherwise informed, I still abide by the old Biblical view: our skills and natural giftedness become empowered when we become Christians and, at the same time, God gives us our spiritual gift(s) when we are filled with the Spirit. It’s not as nice and tightly defined as it could be hoped for. There are numerous variable that go into the seen giftedness of an individual. And - as we have seen, God has the right to call up any of his gifts/skills on as “as needed” basis.
Q. Can I use spiritual gifts outside “church”?
A. Absolutely. A dear friend of mine has the gift of administration – which she uses and is paid for at BP. Many who have the gift of service and helps find themselves in the food service profession. Others with gifts of compassion, and mercy find themselves in the medical profession. Behind it all – whether within or without the organized church – the function of our gifts is to evangelize and empower others for Christ, regardless of where ever you are.
Q. Are there lesser and greater gifts?
A. No. Paul is quite emphatic here: there are not. All gifts are given and based in the Holy Spirit. Some gifts, of course, are more “in the limelight” than others. But that has nothing to do with their power or potential of use. A person who serves, or those with the gifts of hospitality, mercy, intercession, or giving are on equal footing with the prophets and apostles.
Q. Sometimes in church I feel the Lord would have me share a vision, speak a prophecy, or deliver a message in tongues. My heart pounds, I break out in a sweat, and my hands begin to tremble. What do I do with that?
A. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning...
That’s a wonderful question. I believe that God’s desire is to always have a prophetic word when followers of Jesus are gathered. Perhaps this is why there is such a push for prophets to arise from among the people. – and relevant because, as the days wear on, God will be moving more and more in revelatory ways. If you have a gift - or even the stirring of a gift that is meant to edify and build up others - you need to talk to your priest, pastor, elder, shepherd about it. The operation of your gift needs to be done in order, in a way that “fits” with the blessing of your spiritual elder, and - most importantly - in a way that God gets the fame.
If the sharing of a revelatory gift at your church would be a bit out of the box, the Lord may grant you and your pastor wisdom in how to get the word out decently and in order. There are always avenues wherein a word from God can get into the congregation. It may be couched within the framework of a written prayer, creatively infused within the story-line of a a book, or poem, written into a song, or posted in the newsletter or on the church website.
Q. Is there a "growing curve" with spiritual gifts? Will it get better as I go along?
A. Most definitely. If you are in a small group, that is the best place to begin. Like crawling, toddling, walking, and running there is a real progression to one's maturity in his or her spiritual gift. Timing, wisdom, and - above all - love are key components in the operation of spiritual gifts. Once the gift is given there’s no need to rush it. You will always have it.
So go slow. Read about it, practice it in little places. As God sees you are faithful in the little things, he will raise you up to be a greater influence for him.
A big piece in the growing curve is one's personal character - his or her discipline to live/walk according to the light he or she has been shown. That means there is a relationship between the human health of the gifted person and the integrity of his or her corresponding public reflection of the Risen Christ. Many people are tremendously gifted but they also have besetting “intentional” issues in their lives. If a person is living in outright rebellion it creates a problem. God has a reputation to keep. If needed, he will wait until that person matures in Grace so that, when his gifts are made public, people will see both an inner and outer integrity of the minister and can receive the gift, giving full glory to God, with no reservations.
This is not to say we need to be completely sinless to minister in holiness. Noting could be further from the truth. God uses imperfect vessels to do his perfect work. Yet his perfect work arises from humble hearts, broken and fully reliant on his all sufficient grace. People may still fall short of their spiritual convictions. But they get up, receive forgiveness, and get back into God’s Life and work. That’s the difference, One cannot be in rebellion to the Lord and have a contrite heart.
Q. Do you have to have been “baptized in the Holy Spirit” to have a spiritual gift?
A. No. Your gifts were given to you by default when you became a follower of Jesus. At that time, the Spirit entered your heart and sealed you as one of his own, for eternal life. You have the gifts of the Holy Spirit because you have the GIFT of the Holy Spirit.
However, when a person is anointed in the Spirit, she is endowed with power from God. Everything about the spiritual life of that person is changed - including the potency of her gifts.
It’s hard to understand why a person would seek to avoid receiving the empowerment of the Spirit. God is good - so it doesn’t hurt. And he wants to see the Good News spread across the globe - so do most Christians - and has provided the supernatural means-with-all to do it, through the empowerment of the Spirit. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Q. Where else can I find information on the gifts?
A. The Internet, gift blogs, Christian book stores, or at by doing a search at CBD (Christian Book Distributors) online.
In your research you will find two general schools of thought on the gifts of the Spirit. First, there is a view that the gifts ceased when the Bible was written. That view is anchored in 1 Corinthians 13.8-9. These good folks would say that the gifts were imperfect – or that it was the best way God could speak to his people before the Bible (the perfect) came along. Obviously, I don’t agree with that. The other side would more/less express the views of the gifts as I have here: all the gifts are all around until Jesus (the perfect love) appears at the end of the Age. Theories vary about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You’ll see.
Q. What do I need to believe about the gifts in order to have eternal life?
A. Nothing. Nothing at all.
Eternal life comes when you turn away from your sin, believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and embrace the Faith with faith. People like to add other ingredients into that – like current moral/lifestyle issues, politics, theories of evolution, and even fallibility stances over the Scriptures themselves. While these things are important, they – like the gifts of the Spirit – have absolutely nothing to do with one’s eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. Salvation is one thing; how it’s lived out is quite another.
This is the final blog in A Primer for Spiritual Gifts. I hope it has all been helpful for you. The important thing is to discover your gifts and use your gifts for the glory of God.
Look around the church or community for a place for what God has given and get busy! We need you in the Body of Christ. We need to see the love of God in your gifts. More importantly, the world needs to see Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
9 Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Here’s a question: Can a person be an authentic follower of Jesus without ever being baptized in the Spirit? Can he or she still receive forgiveness, still be in ministry with Christ, still grow into a fruitful believer, and even go to heaven without being filled with the Holy Spirit?
Yes. Unequivocally, yes!
There are large pockets of believers in Christ all over the world who maintain that the the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not relevant in this day and age. Some even preach against it. They may say the Spirit no longer needs to be made manifest in that capacity because we have the Bible. They may say we are all filled with the Spirit and don’t need a second (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) experience in the Spirit, or they may even say that the whole pentecostal experience is of the devil.
Perhaps the clearest examples of not needing the baptism in the Holy Spirit and still being a bionafied follower of Christ comes from the New Testament itself. The twelve disciples, for example, were “hands on” with the ministry of Christ. They partook in the ministry of Christ, performed miracles, and even went on mission trips where they cast out demons and healed the sick. They were powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ. And they all that - and probably many other things as well - before the Spirit fell at Pentecost.
Were they Christians before they had experienced Pentecost? Sure. Were they disciples? Yup. Did they have the Holy Spirit with them? You bet. If they had died before receiving the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost would they still go to heaven? Of course.
Similar situations happened throughout the book of Acts. Paul would come across “disciples” of Jesus – real, authentic, believers in the Lord – but, all the same, disciples who had were operating the outside the fullness of the Spirit. When they heard God had more for them, they received the Spirit and experienced the same manifestations of the Spirit the original disciples received at the Feast of Pentecost, there in the upper room, which would have included the gift of tongues.
Having said all that it would be terrible thing just to say all that without completing the picture. While the experience of the Spirit was not a prerequisite for salvation, or even essential to be a disciple of Christ, it had - and still has - an essential role in the life of the church.
Jesus attested to the importance of Pentecost when he emphatically told his disciples to cease doing ministry until they had been empowered with the Spirit of God. Apparently he thought it was pretty important. In addition, all the disciples experienced and ministered in their newfound empowerment. So, while not essential, they readily received the Spirit as the fulfillment of the Promise. The Holy Spirit is a most important aspect of the Life for many, many reasons. He is a Gift that Jesus died to give us.
In fact, the resurrected Christ is the one who baptizes people in the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you. But, if he’s doing it, I want to be a part of it!
Just what is the baptism in the Holy Spirit? The baptism of the Spirit is an added experience (in addition to Salvation) wherein the full love of the Father is poured into our hearts. It is not meant to be a once in a lifetime experience but the beginning of limitless infilling within each follower of Jesus Christ. It is meant for the empowering and anointing of the followers of Jesus in order to fulfill the mission of Christ.
Some Christians look at the baptism of the Spirit as an anointing, or calling, into ministry that comes down from above, like how it happened to Jesus when he was baptized by his cousin John. Others see the infilling of the Spirit more akin to a "releasing" of the power residing within the heart of the convert. Among those who subscribe to this phenomenon, most everybody leans into the experience as a God-given provision to walk the walk and talk the talk, victoriously in Christ. It’s interesting to note that people coming in from cults and/or the occult tend to find themselves in “Spirit-filled,” or “Pentecostal,” or “charismatic” churches. I believe this is because they’re used to dealing with spiritual powers and need the fullness of the Spirit as grace-given counterbalance to maintain a life of spiritual victory before a holy God.
In Scripture, the Greek behind the word, “baptism” has to do with a full immersion, or total saturation, into the same substance that resides within. Here’s an example of that: My brother once gave me a picture he took of an old wooden canoe carved by Native Americans. In the photo, the canoe is filled with water and, in turn, the canoe is sunk under, or within, the water as well. That is a good picture of what it means to be baptized in the Spirit. We are baptized into the same Spirit that dwells within our hearts.
When a person comes to Christ he receives the Holy Spirit. It is a deposit placed within the heart which serves as a seal of adoption into the family of God, a guarantee of the future life in heaven, and an avenue wherein the love of the Father is poured out. That all happens when a person repents of the old life, turns to Christ, and he comes to dwell in the heart of the new believer.
But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is very different than that.
When I was first baptized in the Spirit I had been a Christian for a couple of years. I was hitchhiking around, sharing Christ with about everyone I met. All in all, it was pretty awesome. Previous to my conversion, I had been involved with activities that were quite dark and powerful and, although content in my walk with Christ, I often experienced the devil's reside in my life. As a Christian, I had not yet experienced the supernatural power I needed to walk victoriously in Christ.
One evening a friend of mine invited me to a gathering of Christians. When I arrived it happened to be in a large conference room where a band was leading everyone in worship - which was a new experience for me. As the worship intensified I received a vision of a cracked-open door that had intensely-white light beaming in from the around the sides and top. It was glorious.
It was then when I heard the Lord say, “Now, Bill, you know I love you right?” I nodded. “And you know I will never love you any more, or any less than I love you now – you know that, right” Again, I nodded. Then he said, “But I have more for you... Do you want more of me?” “Oh, yes Lord... you know I want everything you have for me.”
And, with that, that the door flew open and I was immediately saturated with the all-consuming realized presence of God. It was an overwhelming moment wherein I experienced the holiness of God up and against my sinful wretchedness - which seemed to be particularly highlighted during that time. Then, as I watched, His holiness completely swallowed up my sin and shame. A couple of things happened at that time. I was washed cleaner then ever before. It was then when he also exchanged my callused heart of stone for a heart heart of flesh.
I cried for a long time that night – tears of gratefulness, to be sure. I rose from that seat knowing - and experiencing the power and fullness of God. It was then when the verse, "Greater is he (Jesus) that is in you than he (satan) who is in the world” really became something I could believe in, something that had been firmly anchored and set as a seal over my heart.
Additionally, it was after that experience when I began to minister in the revelatory gifts of the Spirit. Everything about witnessing, worship, Bible study, personal holiness – all things Spiritual, including my heart for those outside the Faith – changed for me that evening.
So, in summary, we’ve learned that a person does not need to be baptized in the Spirit – overwhelmed and saturated in the holiness of God – in order to be a Christian, or even in order to have a ministry. Yet, Scripture recognizes the additional experience of a personal Pentecost which cannot be overlooked.
Jesus himself is the one who baptizes people with the power/fire of his love. When this happens, a person’s orientation on life (her call, gifts, passion, and heart for the things of God) dramatically come to focus and that person’s life is, by the grace of God, forever changed.
Yes. Unequivocally, yes!
There are large pockets of believers in Christ all over the world who maintain that the the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not relevant in this day and age. Some even preach against it. They may say the Spirit no longer needs to be made manifest in that capacity because we have the Bible. They may say we are all filled with the Spirit and don’t need a second (third, fourth, fifth, etc.) experience in the Spirit, or they may even say that the whole pentecostal experience is of the devil.
Perhaps the clearest examples of not needing the baptism in the Holy Spirit and still being a bionafied follower of Christ comes from the New Testament itself. The twelve disciples, for example, were “hands on” with the ministry of Christ. They partook in the ministry of Christ, performed miracles, and even went on mission trips where they cast out demons and healed the sick. They were powerful witnesses of Jesus Christ. And they all that - and probably many other things as well - before the Spirit fell at Pentecost.
Were they Christians before they had experienced Pentecost? Sure. Were they disciples? Yup. Did they have the Holy Spirit with them? You bet. If they had died before receiving the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost would they still go to heaven? Of course.
Similar situations happened throughout the book of Acts. Paul would come across “disciples” of Jesus – real, authentic, believers in the Lord – but, all the same, disciples who had were operating the outside the fullness of the Spirit. When they heard God had more for them, they received the Spirit and experienced the same manifestations of the Spirit the original disciples received at the Feast of Pentecost, there in the upper room, which would have included the gift of tongues.
Having said all that it would be terrible thing just to say all that without completing the picture. While the experience of the Spirit was not a prerequisite for salvation, or even essential to be a disciple of Christ, it had - and still has - an essential role in the life of the church.
Jesus attested to the importance of Pentecost when he emphatically told his disciples to cease doing ministry until they had been empowered with the Spirit of God. Apparently he thought it was pretty important. In addition, all the disciples experienced and ministered in their newfound empowerment. So, while not essential, they readily received the Spirit as the fulfillment of the Promise. The Holy Spirit is a most important aspect of the Life for many, many reasons. He is a Gift that Jesus died to give us.
In fact, the resurrected Christ is the one who baptizes people in the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you. But, if he’s doing it, I want to be a part of it!
Just what is the baptism in the Holy Spirit? The baptism of the Spirit is an added experience (in addition to Salvation) wherein the full love of the Father is poured into our hearts. It is not meant to be a once in a lifetime experience but the beginning of limitless infilling within each follower of Jesus Christ. It is meant for the empowering and anointing of the followers of Jesus in order to fulfill the mission of Christ.
Some Christians look at the baptism of the Spirit as an anointing, or calling, into ministry that comes down from above, like how it happened to Jesus when he was baptized by his cousin John. Others see the infilling of the Spirit more akin to a "releasing" of the power residing within the heart of the convert. Among those who subscribe to this phenomenon, most everybody leans into the experience as a God-given provision to walk the walk and talk the talk, victoriously in Christ. It’s interesting to note that people coming in from cults and/or the occult tend to find themselves in “Spirit-filled,” or “Pentecostal,” or “charismatic” churches. I believe this is because they’re used to dealing with spiritual powers and need the fullness of the Spirit as grace-given counterbalance to maintain a life of spiritual victory before a holy God.
In Scripture, the Greek behind the word, “baptism” has to do with a full immersion, or total saturation, into the same substance that resides within. Here’s an example of that: My brother once gave me a picture he took of an old wooden canoe carved by Native Americans. In the photo, the canoe is filled with water and, in turn, the canoe is sunk under, or within, the water as well. That is a good picture of what it means to be baptized in the Spirit. We are baptized into the same Spirit that dwells within our hearts.
When a person comes to Christ he receives the Holy Spirit. It is a deposit placed within the heart which serves as a seal of adoption into the family of God, a guarantee of the future life in heaven, and an avenue wherein the love of the Father is poured out. That all happens when a person repents of the old life, turns to Christ, and he comes to dwell in the heart of the new believer.
But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is very different than that.
When I was first baptized in the Spirit I had been a Christian for a couple of years. I was hitchhiking around, sharing Christ with about everyone I met. All in all, it was pretty awesome. Previous to my conversion, I had been involved with activities that were quite dark and powerful and, although content in my walk with Christ, I often experienced the devil's reside in my life. As a Christian, I had not yet experienced the supernatural power I needed to walk victoriously in Christ.
One evening a friend of mine invited me to a gathering of Christians. When I arrived it happened to be in a large conference room where a band was leading everyone in worship - which was a new experience for me. As the worship intensified I received a vision of a cracked-open door that had intensely-white light beaming in from the around the sides and top. It was glorious.
It was then when I heard the Lord say, “Now, Bill, you know I love you right?” I nodded. “And you know I will never love you any more, or any less than I love you now – you know that, right” Again, I nodded. Then he said, “But I have more for you... Do you want more of me?” “Oh, yes Lord... you know I want everything you have for me.”
And, with that, that the door flew open and I was immediately saturated with the all-consuming realized presence of God. It was an overwhelming moment wherein I experienced the holiness of God up and against my sinful wretchedness - which seemed to be particularly highlighted during that time. Then, as I watched, His holiness completely swallowed up my sin and shame. A couple of things happened at that time. I was washed cleaner then ever before. It was then when he also exchanged my callused heart of stone for a heart heart of flesh.
I cried for a long time that night – tears of gratefulness, to be sure. I rose from that seat knowing - and experiencing the power and fullness of God. It was then when the verse, "Greater is he (Jesus) that is in you than he (satan) who is in the world” really became something I could believe in, something that had been firmly anchored and set as a seal over my heart.
Additionally, it was after that experience when I began to minister in the revelatory gifts of the Spirit. Everything about witnessing, worship, Bible study, personal holiness – all things Spiritual, including my heart for those outside the Faith – changed for me that evening.
So, in summary, we’ve learned that a person does not need to be baptized in the Spirit – overwhelmed and saturated in the holiness of God – in order to be a Christian, or even in order to have a ministry. Yet, Scripture recognizes the additional experience of a personal Pentecost which cannot be overlooked.
Jesus himself is the one who baptizes people with the power/fire of his love. When this happens, a person’s orientation on life (her call, gifts, passion, and heart for the things of God) dramatically come to focus and that person’s life is, by the grace of God, forever changed.
8 Tongues
Perhaps the most misunderstood gift of the Spirit is “tongues.” Let’s talk about that.
Paul wrote the Corinthians and thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than anyone else in their church, which indicates not only its authenticity but its viable place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Tongues of men and and tongues of angels are everywhere in the Bible. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit manifested himself through “tongues of men” - known languages from that current day and age. Many times afterward, when the Spirit showed up, tongues also showed up.
Just to clear the air: A person exercising the gift of tongues doesn’t go into a zombie-like trance with white foam oozing out from the sides of their mouth anymore than a bilingual person does when speaking in their second language.
The language of the Spirit is... well, a language. And, just like any other language, it comes with its own vocabulary, dialect, expressions, grammar, in-fluctuation, syllables, and so on. A person with the gift of tongues can speak, pray, or even sing their gift almost anywhere they please - at church, in the car, or even at the gym. Some can even use their gift in their mind - like you do when you talk to yourself. It’s use is solely at the discretion of the user.
What is the value of the gift of tongues. Scripture says a person who has the gift of tongues builds himself up in the faith. That means the strength of the Lord may be magnified, lifted up, or encouraged in the heart of a person when they praying tongues - perhaps something akin to taking a spiritual vitamin.
In addition, tongues is useful in situations when your unclear exactly how to pray, or when you’re prayed out over a situation and running on empty. This can be especially useful when passing the scene of an accident on the freeway, or pulling over for an ambulance racing to the hospital. I have personally noticed that my spiritual discernment seems to sharpen after I have spent time praying in “the Spirit.” This is especially helpful just before I lead worship or pray for others.
The first time I prayed in tongues it happened in a far-a-way field near the college I was attending and under the cloak of darkness...
At that time I didn’t believe in the gift of tongues but did believe, if tongues were real, that God was big enough to give them to me if I asked.
As mentioned earlier, I had also had substantial Bible teaching telling me that the gifts of the Spirit had died out when the Bible had been written. So, by asking God for the gift of tongues, I was fearful that I would get a gift of satan instead. It was all a bit spooky for me. So, with no one around (and when the airy cloud moved mysteriously crossed over the face of the full moon), I prayed. “God, I’m going to try this. But, if it’s not your will, I pray you will shut my mouth. Guide my tongue because here I go.” Then I started talking in make-believe.
Within a milli-second two distinct things happened. First, my mind was barraged with all manner of thoughts of personal condemnation, telling me I sounded like a full-fledged idiot - and that I was a “lousy, illogical witness for the cause of Christ.”
Within a milli-second of the first milli-second, the Spirit of God got a hold of my tongue and I took off - speaking be in a new, heavenly language! Just like that.
It wasn’t nearly as difficult, or strange, as I had made it out to be. In a distant way, it seemed almost normal. It was quite a powerful experience, though. I experienced a immediate sense of the presence of God and a corresponding surge of joy. In fact, the presence of God became so intense that I had to ease back on it. I had never had such an intense physiological experience with the the Lord before then. I got up from the field, looked up at the stars and said, “Wow, I guess tongues are still around.”
After an experience like that one would think I’d become fluent in the language and use it every day. But that wasn’t the case. In fact, in the years to follow I rarely revisited the gift and pretty much forgot all about it. Indeed, within a short period of time, I essentially talked myself out of the gift of tongues altogether.
About two years later found myself living on a kibbutz in Israel. One particular Saturday morning, I was in church when the pastor led the congregation into of time of “free-form singing in the Spirit.” It was beautiful. The entire place turned into a most holy place. The presence of God was all over the place - not unlike that night in the field. As the praises increased I heard a particular someone singing a magnificent praise to the Lord. Though I couldn’t make out the language, I knew it was glorifying God in an almost angelic language. It was so beautiful that I had to open my eyes to see who it was singing these beautiful song. I opened my eyes, traced the melody with my ears and – lo and behold – it was coming from me. It was a hallelujah moment.
That did it. From that day since (some 28 years) I have used this gift almost every day - when praying for others, when worshipping, or when simply clearing the pipes in my head before I teach. It’s never led me astray and - quite to the contrary - it has blessed others.
While tongues can build up an individual in the faith, they can also serve to edify a church, or a gathering of people. I believe there are at least two types of tongues. The first are those that are angelic, or other worldly. This is the type I was singing that day in Jerusalem. It is an intimate expression of praise, worship, intercession, and/or prayer, said in faith, mixed with love, and directed to God. These languages can be said simultaneously with others who have this gift in corporate settings because they are directed to God and are not intended as a prophetic gift for the gathered.
A second type of tongues manifest as actual languages of the world - like Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, or Indian. They are unknown to the user but are understood by anyone in the general vicinity who could understand what’s being said. These are given to impart a prophetic message - a word of encouragement and (sometimes direction) - to the people gathered. This type of gift is readily understood because it is heard from natives of the country of the tongue. When non-believers hear the words of the Lord in their own language, and additionally see that the tongue-talkers aren’t even from their own country, it is a tremendous testimony to God.
There is a use of the gift of tongues which is also prophetic in nature. They sound like angelic tongue - a language that is not of this world - yet their application takes the on the form of a prophetic word to those gathered. In these situations another spiritual gift must come into play - the interpretation of tongues - so that everyone can know what the person with the gift of angelic tongues is saying.
There is a danger in tongues. Tongues are fun. It’s the kind of gift that can be abused. Paul really came down hard on the church at Corinth because, each time they gathered, they did nothing but speak in tongues. The danger was that no one understood what was being said. So, if you have the gift of prophetic tongues, ask the Lord to give you an interpretation so you can follow your pronunciation in a known language – or ask the Lord to give someone else the interpretation. Or else, don’t do it at all.
What about the gift of tongues? Is it for you? As I mentioned a few chapters back, the big gift is the Holy Spirit himself. And, as I said, if you have the Holy Spirit in you then you have the potential for all the gifts of the Spirit - including tongues.
Could you speak in tongues? Most likely. I believe God would have Christians speaking in tongues much, much more than they do now. we are currently doing. Can you imagine that - waiting for a bus somewhere and speaking the marvelous praises of God in the precise language and dialect of the Muslim standing there next to you? The gift of tongues is a powerful form or prayer, intercession, spiritual warfare, and prophecy – and boy, in our day, do we need it.
If the Holy Spirit is in you – which He is – why not try it? Why not place this blog aside, sit back right now and ask Him to release the gift of tongues in your life? You don’t have to sneak away somewhere under the cloak of darkness. You can ask him to release the gift in your heart right here, right where you are now.
After you ask for it, give it a moment of silence and, when you feel the peace of the Lord resting upon you, simply start talking. It may sound like gibberish at first - no, let me correct that... It will sound like gibberish at first - and you will have your sincere doubts. But within a milli-second, the Spirit will get a hold of the water of your words and change them into the wine of a holy, heavenly language.
He may not do it - not now, anyway. But he just may. You’ll never know, until you ask.
Paul wrote the Corinthians and thanked God that he spoke in tongues more than anyone else in their church, which indicates not only its authenticity but its viable place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Tongues of men and and tongues of angels are everywhere in the Bible. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit manifested himself through “tongues of men” - known languages from that current day and age. Many times afterward, when the Spirit showed up, tongues also showed up.
Just to clear the air: A person exercising the gift of tongues doesn’t go into a zombie-like trance with white foam oozing out from the sides of their mouth anymore than a bilingual person does when speaking in their second language.
The language of the Spirit is... well, a language. And, just like any other language, it comes with its own vocabulary, dialect, expressions, grammar, in-fluctuation, syllables, and so on. A person with the gift of tongues can speak, pray, or even sing their gift almost anywhere they please - at church, in the car, or even at the gym. Some can even use their gift in their mind - like you do when you talk to yourself. It’s use is solely at the discretion of the user.
What is the value of the gift of tongues. Scripture says a person who has the gift of tongues builds himself up in the faith. That means the strength of the Lord may be magnified, lifted up, or encouraged in the heart of a person when they praying tongues - perhaps something akin to taking a spiritual vitamin.
In addition, tongues is useful in situations when your unclear exactly how to pray, or when you’re prayed out over a situation and running on empty. This can be especially useful when passing the scene of an accident on the freeway, or pulling over for an ambulance racing to the hospital. I have personally noticed that my spiritual discernment seems to sharpen after I have spent time praying in “the Spirit.” This is especially helpful just before I lead worship or pray for others.
The first time I prayed in tongues it happened in a far-a-way field near the college I was attending and under the cloak of darkness...
At that time I didn’t believe in the gift of tongues but did believe, if tongues were real, that God was big enough to give them to me if I asked.
As mentioned earlier, I had also had substantial Bible teaching telling me that the gifts of the Spirit had died out when the Bible had been written. So, by asking God for the gift of tongues, I was fearful that I would get a gift of satan instead. It was all a bit spooky for me. So, with no one around (and when the airy cloud moved mysteriously crossed over the face of the full moon), I prayed. “God, I’m going to try this. But, if it’s not your will, I pray you will shut my mouth. Guide my tongue because here I go.” Then I started talking in make-believe.
Within a milli-second two distinct things happened. First, my mind was barraged with all manner of thoughts of personal condemnation, telling me I sounded like a full-fledged idiot - and that I was a “lousy, illogical witness for the cause of Christ.”
Within a milli-second of the first milli-second, the Spirit of God got a hold of my tongue and I took off - speaking be in a new, heavenly language! Just like that.
It wasn’t nearly as difficult, or strange, as I had made it out to be. In a distant way, it seemed almost normal. It was quite a powerful experience, though. I experienced a immediate sense of the presence of God and a corresponding surge of joy. In fact, the presence of God became so intense that I had to ease back on it. I had never had such an intense physiological experience with the the Lord before then. I got up from the field, looked up at the stars and said, “Wow, I guess tongues are still around.”
After an experience like that one would think I’d become fluent in the language and use it every day. But that wasn’t the case. In fact, in the years to follow I rarely revisited the gift and pretty much forgot all about it. Indeed, within a short period of time, I essentially talked myself out of the gift of tongues altogether.
About two years later found myself living on a kibbutz in Israel. One particular Saturday morning, I was in church when the pastor led the congregation into of time of “free-form singing in the Spirit.” It was beautiful. The entire place turned into a most holy place. The presence of God was all over the place - not unlike that night in the field. As the praises increased I heard a particular someone singing a magnificent praise to the Lord. Though I couldn’t make out the language, I knew it was glorifying God in an almost angelic language. It was so beautiful that I had to open my eyes to see who it was singing these beautiful song. I opened my eyes, traced the melody with my ears and – lo and behold – it was coming from me. It was a hallelujah moment.
That did it. From that day since (some 28 years) I have used this gift almost every day - when praying for others, when worshipping, or when simply clearing the pipes in my head before I teach. It’s never led me astray and - quite to the contrary - it has blessed others.
While tongues can build up an individual in the faith, they can also serve to edify a church, or a gathering of people. I believe there are at least two types of tongues. The first are those that are angelic, or other worldly. This is the type I was singing that day in Jerusalem. It is an intimate expression of praise, worship, intercession, and/or prayer, said in faith, mixed with love, and directed to God. These languages can be said simultaneously with others who have this gift in corporate settings because they are directed to God and are not intended as a prophetic gift for the gathered.
A second type of tongues manifest as actual languages of the world - like Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, or Indian. They are unknown to the user but are understood by anyone in the general vicinity who could understand what’s being said. These are given to impart a prophetic message - a word of encouragement and (sometimes direction) - to the people gathered. This type of gift is readily understood because it is heard from natives of the country of the tongue. When non-believers hear the words of the Lord in their own language, and additionally see that the tongue-talkers aren’t even from their own country, it is a tremendous testimony to God.
There is a use of the gift of tongues which is also prophetic in nature. They sound like angelic tongue - a language that is not of this world - yet their application takes the on the form of a prophetic word to those gathered. In these situations another spiritual gift must come into play - the interpretation of tongues - so that everyone can know what the person with the gift of angelic tongues is saying.
There is a danger in tongues. Tongues are fun. It’s the kind of gift that can be abused. Paul really came down hard on the church at Corinth because, each time they gathered, they did nothing but speak in tongues. The danger was that no one understood what was being said. So, if you have the gift of prophetic tongues, ask the Lord to give you an interpretation so you can follow your pronunciation in a known language – or ask the Lord to give someone else the interpretation. Or else, don’t do it at all.
What about the gift of tongues? Is it for you? As I mentioned a few chapters back, the big gift is the Holy Spirit himself. And, as I said, if you have the Holy Spirit in you then you have the potential for all the gifts of the Spirit - including tongues.
Could you speak in tongues? Most likely. I believe God would have Christians speaking in tongues much, much more than they do now. we are currently doing. Can you imagine that - waiting for a bus somewhere and speaking the marvelous praises of God in the precise language and dialect of the Muslim standing there next to you? The gift of tongues is a powerful form or prayer, intercession, spiritual warfare, and prophecy – and boy, in our day, do we need it.
If the Holy Spirit is in you – which He is – why not try it? Why not place this blog aside, sit back right now and ask Him to release the gift of tongues in your life? You don’t have to sneak away somewhere under the cloak of darkness. You can ask him to release the gift in your heart right here, right where you are now.
After you ask for it, give it a moment of silence and, when you feel the peace of the Lord resting upon you, simply start talking. It may sound like gibberish at first - no, let me correct that... It will sound like gibberish at first - and you will have your sincere doubts. But within a milli-second, the Spirit will get a hold of the water of your words and change them into the wine of a holy, heavenly language.
He may not do it - not now, anyway. But he just may. You’ll never know, until you ask.
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