We fragile, weak humans seem to be stuck on just one of the gifts, don’t we? I re-read 1 Corinthians 14. Prophecy is clearly preferable to tongues. Tongues seems to me to be easily used for one’s own purposes rather than God’s. The remaining gifts are not as public, not as dramatic, but sorely needed to build the church.
1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.** 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but **I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. ** 6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So 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. **10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
ok-what’s your point? I don’t speak and have never spoken in tongues and it is a gift that can and has caused major problems in the church that’s why I’m very familiar with Paul’s take and agree with him.
22Tongues, then, are a sign, **not for believers **but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand[g] or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
The type of tongues that was manifested at the preaching in Acts is only one of many of the diversity of language gifts given by the Spirit. you are right, there is not much comparison, except that there are many varieties, but only one spirit. Do not quench the gifts of the spirit, and earnestly desire the best gifts, scripture teaches.
Your question indicates that you do not understand what the gift of prophesy is, and it’s purpose. It is not about foretelling the future, if that is what you are inquiring. Your quote from John seems to indicate that they are from the devil? Perhaps I misunderstood the intention of your post.
Perhaps you, personally, have no need to seek to understand supernatural things by supernatural power. However, there are those of us that do, and plead with you not to disparage us. If yuo withdraw from the gift from fear, to protect yourself, then you areto be commended for your devotion to that which you cling.
I don’t believe you understand…but there is a hint of it in your reply.
I agree with your statement that deepening of faith is about deepening knowing, but this dichotomy represents a Western misunderstanding of human psychology. Feelings are not intended to be separated from knowing, as has become common in Western culture. In fact, there are ways of knowing that are completely irrational. These are not less valuable ways of knowing (on the contrary, sometimes they are more valuable) and have as much worth as rational knowing. Feelings need not, and should not, be “something else”. On the contrary, God commands us to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. The emotions are part of the heart and soul that he created within us by and through which we are to love Him. What is needed is a balance, and I do agree that much of Pentecostalism is feeling focused and imbalanced.
Tongues are really an “entry level” gift that can open the believer to the “higher” gifts such as prophesy. Yielding to the work of the Spirit requires much practice and appropriate spiritual direction, which is often lacking. This is why we see such a plethora of misuse of the gifts, particularly tongues.
No, in fact, I think it is an excellent example of the goal of the activity of the HS. Sorry for failing to affirm that, I got distracted with a different charismatic thread running elsewhere.
I hope you don’t have to leave your emotions out!
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened…If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11-13).
Jesus in telling us to pray, tells us to ask, but ask for what? Is it to be made prophets, or that our daily bread needs be met? “Give us this day our daily bread, and throw in the gifts of prophecy and tongues” ??
I don’t have to. They are secondary. A person can be spiritually enlightend and there response can be a simple as simple as an “ah? I got it”. Somebody else’s response might be that of a charismtic high emotional rejoice. Which is more correct? More true? Neither. That spiritual experience may invoke an emotional response but it isn’t necessary.
I know what you mean. I have been going to the Byzantine Mass because it is more reverent.
Years ago I went to a Renewal weekend and most everyone was full of emotion for weeks even months after. Then I stepped back and realized what it was…a do-it-yourself group psycology session maskerading as religion that someone had dreamed up and put together. I don’t know of anyone who’d go to another one.
I don’t think one need throw out the baby with the bathwater. There is an appropriate time and place for getting the emotions pumped up. It should not be an end in itself, but there are those mountaintop experiences. Peter, James, and John went up with Jesus and watched Him transfigured. Peter was so excited he wanted to stay!
Yes, faith is not dependent upon feelings. Deep spirituality is not either, but they need not be DEVOID of feelings. I think we tend toward one extreme or the other. One reason I left the faith was that I was unable to engage my emotions in the Mass. Now that I have been on a long Protestant sojourn, I have integrated feelings enough so that I am not “empty” during Mass. I think I spent many years going through the motions, disconnected from myself. I regret that I had to leave the Church to figure out how to integrate myself. There are desert times, and river of living wanter times, and neither need exclude the other.
Or the cross! We want to party, a spiritual party. But Jesus tells us to take up an instrument of torture, suffering and death, or we are not worthy of Him.