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12.9 Oracle – religions of mystery
People appear to be concern about the possibility, that the spiritual languages could possibly be an ugly imitation of satan.
This humbug, this deceit, of satan exists indeed. Also now there are all kinds of religious groups with a sort of ‘strange ecstatic language’.
In the days of the originating and the life of the Church in Corinth not every happening in the church meetings was as sacred. Paul had to give clear correcting directions. Namely speaking spiritual languages was done in a very chaotic way and had to be done ‘orderly’.
This Church lived in the very mondaine metropolis of Corinth. This city was more than known as the city of feasts, the city of fun! As main city of Achaje it was also the ‘main city’ of the unrestrained life.
And not only that!
The heathen religions had a good breeding ground there. Different religions of mystery and temple services gathered in Corinth.
One of the features of these religions was, that they, next to their familiarity for the ‘tolerance’ concerning the way of life, were especially attractive because of their oracles, magic, mantic (astrology), inauguration rituals, and sacred prostitution (hetero as well as gay).
The language of the oracles (oracle language) is the imitation of speaking languages inspired by the Spirit of God.
Still there is a big difference. There was such a big difference that there was obviously no reason for Paul to warn against the possibility, that spiritual languages and oracle language would be equal.
The oracles were messages inspired by the gods, give to the initiated. With that they were in a state of trance. The female priests lost their consciousness and came is a sort of dazzled dream (a state of trance).
In this way they spoke their oracle language, with explanation.
With the expressions of the Holy Spirit we never find report of loosing control over your own spirit. The will and the mind remain functioning fully, when someone is under the enthusiasm or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
God’s Spirit doesn’t dazzle! God’s Spirit doesn’t put in a trance! God’s Spirit doesn’t make you fall and laugh uncontrollably!
So it is very logical indeed, that Paul doesn’t warn against humbug or languages of the devil.
And if there ever should have been a warning in this direction, it should have been there indeed (in Corinth), where there was already such disorder in the use of the expressions!
But, no way! No reason at all to be afraid!
When above all the expressions of the Spirit will be tested to God’s Word, to the person through which they work and to the ability to control their results, then there is no reason to think, that you can end up wrong with the expressions of the Spirit!
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