Episode 2-28: The Gift of Tongues..is it biblical? Is it still active?

 Welcome back!  I am your host Dawn Simmons and in this episode of Conquering Our Unseen Enemies we are continuing our discussion of the spiritual gifts and this episode is specifically devoted to the gift of Tongues.  This is a widely misunderstood, ridiculed and can really bring out some “unChristlike” behavior within the “church”. Today we will discuss the three different types of tongues, how tongues are intended to be used and get an understanding of what it is and if it is for today.

Top Show Points: 

·      Discussing the Gift of Tongues

·      1 Cor 12:4-11

·      To summarize what Paul shared, the 9 Spiritual Gifts are: wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. 

o   Gifts we use out of the Power we have from the Holy Spirit are: faith, healings, miraculous powers

o   Gifts we have where the Holy Spirit uses us in Revelation are: wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits

o   Gifts where the Holy Spirit uses us and are Spoken are: prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues

·      When we are speaking of gifts, we are speaking of an action or a behavior that produces an outcome as a result of the Holy Spirit’s supernatural activity provided to us in a gift. 

·      The Bible reveals to us there are actually three different ways tongues are used and all are through our receipt of tongues as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

·      Jesus tells us we will have the gift of tongues in Mark 16, he says specifically in Mark 16:17.  These are all points of supernatural activity so tongues is a supernatural activity as well.

·      Acts 10:44, Peter at Cornelius’ house and the tongues released by the Holy Spirit

·      So this first type of tongue, a miraculous ability to speak a language not previously known, is one aspect of tongues.  It is considered a sign and is intended for non-believers to experience and testify to the truth of the words being spoken.  

·      The second type of tongue is referred to as a private prayer language

·      Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 14:2, Ephesians 6:18, Jude verse 20

·      Think of the second type of tongues as a type of devotion or worship time with the Lord where you as the prayer are also receiving an edification or a building up of your own spirit as a result.

·      When asking for or first receiving the gift of tongues, don’t overthink it.  Let it flow. 

·      Our third and final type of tongue is similar to the private prayer language except it is used in corporate, or public settings.  1 Cor 14:26, 1 Cor 14:18

·      In a corporate or public setting, Paul was advising them to become more organized and limit the number of people who were speaking out to the church in tongues.    

·      The second point he was making was that in addition to limiting the number of people speaking, if there is no one to interpret, then the church is not gaining in knowledge, edification, it’s not being built up so there is no point in doing it if that is the case.

We encourage you:

·          To have an active Bible reading plan, it will be helpful in gaining wisdom and understanding and it is required for the gift of spiritual discernment

·          If you want to learn more about how to Hear God's Voice, take a look at my book, Loving Conversations: How to Pray and Hear God's Voice.  There is also a Study Guide available and two new devotionals out based on the Loving Conversations Book. 

·       Class coming up 8/2 based on the Loving Conversations book on how to hear God’s Voice, sign up at lovingconversationssalo.com

I have enjoyed our time this week and look forward to spending time with you again next week!

  For the full episode, click the player below.