It Isn't About Tongues

Scripture: So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn’t help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn’t get in the way of unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 14:22

Observation: Paul has been lecturing for some time by now about speaking in tongues. Specifically, he does not like that, in their gatherings, the church in Corinth spends time with everyone just praying out loud in tongues, with no intelligible teaching or pronouncements or singing. Everyone is just showing of a spiritual gift, and no one is sharing any gift with each other that actually supports others.

Application: I do not speak in tongues. I never have, and I struggle with the idea of doing so (I get the principle and purpose, but just not the ability). That said, I know dozens of people who do speak in tongues. I will say this ... I am so very, very tired of those people declaring that all believers should pursue this gift.

Paul has already been explicitly clear, that no one gets every spiritual gift. We each get some, in varying degrees, thus creating a unique skillset with which to serve Christ. So why does everyone who speaks tongues think that everyone else should too? Some go so far as to declare it is a mark of true faith itself. Nicki Gumble declares it is often 'one of the first' gifts people get once receiving the Holy Spirit.

Paul said the Corinthians were showing off when they all spoke in tongues, and it would be better if people used other gifts to do things like prophesying, teaching, hosting, worshipping, and praying. I believe in the gift of tongues; I don't have it, but I do have other gifts of the Spirit. I don't understand why this means that some Christians doubt the degree - or even the existence - of my faith. Faith isn't about speaking in tongues, it is about placing our trust in Jesus Christ, and that faith spurs us on to serve him and others out of the outpouring of his love, using gifts of the Holy Spirit to do so.

Prayer: Lord, I do know gifts change over time. May I be gifted by your Holy Spirit for no other purpose than to serve you, Jesus, and to serve all those in and through your Church. Please fill me more and more with your Holy Spirit so I may do your good work all the more, as you would have me do it. Amen.