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REFLECTION

“Prophesy and tongues” is the theme for our reflection. Prophecy is the revelation or proclamation of God’s will or purpose for His people. On the other hand, tongues is the gift or enablement of the Holy Spirit to speak in foreign language a believer otherwise has no knowledge of. There was the issue of some Corinthian Christians emphasising the gift of speaking in tongues over other spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophecy in the Church. Paul seized the opportunity to teach them the essential functions of prophesy and tongues in the life of a believer and the church. Before we proceed, it is important to state that love must be pursued as the most essential attribute of God and the quality of every believer before desiring any other spiritual gift. “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1). In other words if we possess spiritual gifts such as prophecy but do not have love we have achieved nothing.

Beloved in the Lord, the first issue Paul made clear is that speaking in tongues is a believer’s personal gift from the Holy Spirit but prophecy is a gift of the Spirit to the Church and it is for the benefit of all believers. “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:2-4) In other words, speaking in tongues is for private communication with God but prophecy is a public engagement of God and believer through His chosen vessel. It, therefore, goes to reason that speaking in tongues in public worship is irrelevant unless it as has a prophetic value which can be interpreted to the understanding of believers who have gathered to worship. “Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:5)

Secondly, the gift of prophecy is manifested in an intelligible language but tongues is unintelligible. The question, therefore, is how does the church benefit from a language which is unintelligible? How can believers understand and obey the will of God or receive God’s purpose for their lives in a language they so not understand? “So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtlessly many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:9-12) In other words, let us be eager for the manifestation of prophesy in the church so that we can understand the will of God and excel in building up the church even as we speak tongues during our private prayers. “Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful… if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church, I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-14,16-19)

Last but not the least, prophecy is beneficial to believer and unbelievers but tongues is not beneficial to believers and unbelievers unless it can be interpreted. Dear friend, through prophesy proclaimed in language that we understand, we hear God’s will to enable unbelievers to experience the transformational Word of God. However, speaking in tongues carries no message to the believers and most importantly the unbeliever although it may be a true sign that the speaker of the tongues has a supernatural gift. The question remains, what benefit does speaking in tongues accrue to both believers and unbelievers who are eager to listen to the voice of God in the language that they best understand? “If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (1 Corinthians 14:23-25). Shalom

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help us to gain spiritual maturity and understanding so that we may use our spiritual gifts wisely and appropriately for the edification of the Church and the winning of souls to the glory of God. May the Church and the World continually experience and hear the voice of God through the gift of prophecy. Empower and guide us privately to use the gift of speaking in tongues to constantly pray and praise God in languages that He desires, but most importantly let Your gift of prophecy and the proclamation of your will manifest in our public worship. Amen.