Tongues a Sign Gift..But a Sign for What or Who?

S. 1 Corinthians 14:22 “So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers.”

O. Paul is teaching that tongues are a sign for unbelievers. How so? Some might add to this notion that elsewhere in scripture the Bible says, “The Jews demand a sign.”(1 Cor.1:22) I remember growing up with this teaching. Further expanded from this 1 Corinthians 14 text are Paul’s words in verse 21 and then he quotes Isaiah the prophet, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. (Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:21 quoting Isaiah 28:11-12) The correlation was tongues was a sign gift for unbelieving Israel and not for the church age.

However when I read the context of 1 Corinthians 14 and see the larger picture, Paul is talking about the usefulness of praying in tongues in a private setting as opposed to a public place of worship. He further encourages the use of prophecy (speaking God’s word in a way that builds people up) as more beneficial to those listening. He adds that if people are not believers or they are not familiar with tongues, when they walk into your assembly and you are speaking in tongues they will think you’re crazy (1 Cor. 14:23).

The reference to Isaiah, in light of this overall context, is helpful. Isaiah shares that God spoke to unbelieving Israel by way of judgment using foreign nations to discipline Israel. Israel scoffed at this and rejected the idea. In the same way, unbelievers or those not familiar with tongues in the church will reject it thinking those that are practicing it are crazy.

Paul then goes on to encourage the private practice of tongues while exhorting the use of prophecy (speaking understandable words) as useful and edifying in public worship.

A. Tongues has a great value in private worship or if an interpreter is available, it can have some benefit in a public service. Speaking God’s word in understandable ways in public (prophecy) has a greater opportunity of reaching and encouraging people to Christ.

P. Thank you Father for these gifts that you give. May all be wise in how they deploy the gifts you have given and may they be used in such a way to reach and benefit the most people possible. In Jesus’ name!

Prayers of Intensity

S. Psalm 1:2 “But they (those who do not follow the advice of the wicked) delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”

O. The Hebrew word for meditate (in this text) is “hagah” and it means to reflect, to moan, to mutter, to ponder, that is making quiet sounds like sighing. People would quietly repeat scriptures with a soft, droning sound. A Jewish prayer called “davening” comes from this. It is reciting, moaning, intense prayers, getting lost in communion with God while bowing or rocking.

A. I enjoy times of prayer and solitude - that is praying intense prayers to God. I will continue to pray with intensity observing 21 days of prayer in January and August of each year. I will continue this because I believe it brings so many of God’s blessings to us (peace of mind, clarity, confidence, boldness, empowerment, etc.)

P. Thank you Father for this word today and reminding me that you love and bless those who pray bold and intense prayers with and to you. Grant me strength, wisdom and endurance to continue this practice. In Jesus name.!

For more information on 21 Days of Prayer and how you can pray intense, bold prayers of faith, visit my website and download the prayer journal.

http://www.clintabbott.com/prayer/

A Bold Faith

S. Luke 5:18-20

“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach Him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “your sins are forgiven.”

O. The paralyzed man’s friends show a faith in Jesus that prompts bold action. They cannot get their friend in front of Jesus the normal way because there were so many people, so they transport him to the roof, remove tiles (cut a hole) in the roof, and then engineer some type of method (ropes, pulleys, etc) to lower the man right in front of Jesus.

Luke writes that Jesus saw “their faith.” Not just the faith of the paralyzed man, but also of the men lowering him through the roof. They didn’t settle for “we cant get him because of the crowd.” Rather, they looked for a creative way that would bring this man right in front of Jesus.

A. I pray and hope that I too, can have that type of faith. A willingness to do whatever is needed to bring a friend in front of Jesus so he/she might have the opportunity to receive a new life that only Jesus can give.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. I do pray for faith that is persistent, bold and filled with love .. a faith that is willing to step out beyond what others might do, to bring people to Jesus. I ask this in Jesus’ name!