During my time in ministry spiritual language has been a very questionable subject. Sadly, much to the result of a lack of teaching, or false teaching, religious traditions, opinion, and definitely unbelief. Resulting in major confusing and even worse, neglect.
So let’s dig into it, and with anything related to the Christian life, the Word of God has to be our final authority.
Psalm 18:30 (NKJV)As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven.
Psalm 19 God’s word is perfect, sure, right, true, everlasting, to be desired more than gold.
Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
Psalms 119:105 (NKJV)Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
John 6:63 (NKJV)The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life.
John 15:7 (NKJV)If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
One of the first things a Christian has to embrace is that our born again nature is spiritual. We literally become a new creations in Him. But we still express ourselves through our human nature.
1 Corinthians 14 reminds us, God is not the author of confusion, but brings us into harmony.
So as we break down this truth, first things first, God's rule when it comes to any truth in the bible that we're unsure of;1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
At the end of the day, as with any other truth from God, there is an element of faith involved.
The overwhelming majority of everything concerning spiritual language comes out of the Apostle Paul's writings. Which by the way, are all 100% inspired by the Holy Spirit.And for all those who think tongues is nothing more than some emotional state of mind for some small, out of balance, uneducated, radical group, the apostle Paul, who covers this subject extensively, graduated from one of the most recognized educational programs of his day. An elite Pharisee. One of history's most respected and quoted thinkers. Writing more than half the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 14:18 (NKJV)I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.
What's really sad is that most of the people that so strongly oppose speaking a spiritual language, quote Paul's writings in all there other Christian beliefs and teachings. Keep in mind, with any other truth from God, there is an element of faith involved.
Mark 9:23 (NKJV)Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.(MSG) “Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.
Every biblical account of tongues was done through the cooperation of believers.
The same Holy Spirit that came to empower The Church at its birth is still here and hasn't changed.
Peters first sermon was to a group of confused people who just witnessed spiritual language. And the first thing he does is take them back to the Word.
Always remember, there is no spiritual reality outside the support of God's Word.
Here's the thing, after God introduces this spiritual reality, there's not one scripture suggestion it was only for a season, or that it wasn't to continue until He returns for His church.
If you think about it, according to the Bible, spiritual language is just as scriptural as the new birth, heaven, grace...
Regardless of your view on this matter, something we should all keep in mind; spiritual language is God's idea. No man made it up.
1 Corinthians 14:1-2 (NKJV)Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
(MSG) If you praise Him in the private language of tongues, God understands you but no one else does, for you are sharing intimacies just between you and Him.
The primary purposes of a spiritual language are:
1. Personal praise and worship.
2. Self-edification. (Jude 20, Building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.)
3. Praying out divine secrets.
4. Public exhortation.
1 Corinthians 14:4-5 (NKJV)He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.This passage simply distinguishes the public and private application of a spiritual language.
1 Corinthians 14:13-16 (NKJV)Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
Paul makes it very clear that praying in his spiritual language is simply praying from his spirit, not his intellect.
Something else I would point out here, individually or corporately, we see no signs of hysteria or abnormalities.
Let me also add this; spiritual language is not an escape from reality, or some self-induced state of mind. It is 100% spiritual, and completely scriptural.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (NKJV)I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:32 (NIV)The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.