Daily Fountain Devotional Friday, February 4, 2022
Friday, February 4, 2022
TOPIC: THE GIFT OF TONGUES
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 14:1-19
READING PASSAGE:
14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, 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? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 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. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Daily Fountain Devotional Friday, February 4, 2022
INTRODUCTION
Speaking in tongues is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament (1 Cor. 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 Cor. 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 Cor. 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 Cor. 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 Cor. 14:40).
Prayer: Thank you Father for enduing us with spiritual gifts.
Stir up the gift of tongues afresh in
our lives. Amen.
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