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4.7 Tongues are for the wellbeing of all
Although we saw that this expression was given for the personal building of faith in the first place, this gift also has a tremendous effect on the Church as a whole.
a) five words of the mind – or a thousand words in spiritual languages?
These same spiritual languages, which we practice in our “inner room” and speak to strengthen ourselves, are contributing to the construction and growth of the Church
The growth of the Church is after all depending on the ‘service of all its members’. In Ephesians 4:16 it says that “every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” or as it is said in the King James Version in the same verse “…from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love”.
This is the reason why Paul gives gratitude to the Lord, that he “speaks in tongues more than all of you” (1 Corinthians 14:18). This is not a foolish act of bragging by Paul, but this is an encouragement to follow in his footsteps! And this is the reason he calls every believer to stretch out for, also this appearance of the Spirit. “Do not forbid speaking in tongues”! (1 Corinthians 14: 39). Do not forbid/hinder: what would actually be the difference with: to strengthen?
Paul edifies himself by praying in spiritual languages, before he attends a meeting of the Church, to be powerful in the strength of God, to be resistant to the demons in the spiritual world. But in the Church Paul would rather speak five intelligible words, to also instruct others, than thousand words in a spiritual language (see 1 Corinthians 14:19). This is logical because spiritual languages are not understood by others and they are therefore of little use to educate others.
Paul rather speaks about de power of God, through which he performs miracles and signs. “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the gentiles (nations) to obey God by what I have said and done by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ” (Romans 15:18 and 19). What a beautiful example for us, to follow in Paul’s footsteps also in this, as he followed in Christ’s footsteps!
Paul does not degrade speaking in spiritual languages. On the contrary -
In the Church meeting it is all about bringing the Gospel in intelligible words. There, a thousand words in spiritual languages will not make the audience any wiser. That which will make them wiser indeed are words, intelligibly spoken, under the fullness of the Holy Spirit – even if there are, as a matter of speaking, only five of those words!
b) every time you come together.
In the Church meetings ‘everyone has a contribution’. We come to our meetings spiritually very well prepared and fulfilled with God’s Spirit to function together for the strengthening of our Church. We are gathered to honour and glorify the Lord, but also to strengthen each other. Isn’t this last part also meant to honour and glorify the Lord?
Every time you meet, one has a contribution: …amongst other things: a spiritual language. However when there are people, who speak spiritual languages, there should be order. One at a time and as a guideline: a maximum of three – and, of course, there should be an interpretation of what is spoken. It is all about the strengthening of the Church and not about the performance of a ‘spiritual language-
(By the way: wouldn’t it be great to have to set a maximum for the number of people who would speak spiritual languages in our Churches today….!)
If there is no one to explain, one should stay silent and speak quietly to himself (to God).
And also by the expression of speaking spiritual languages the Church will be determined and encouraged to focus on Jesus Christ, who is in her midst, to receive spiritual blessings from Him.
c) singing praises with our spirit.
We can’t just speak spiritual languages, but we can also express ourselves in this by singing! Individually as well as together with our brothers and sisters in the church.
This special opportunity of ‘singing with my spirit’ as Paul indicates in 1 Corinth 14:15 exists next to ‘singing with my mind’.
In this verse he puts four aspects next to each other:
1. I can pray with my mind;
2. I can pray with my spirit;
3. I can sing (praises) with my mind;
4. I can sing (praises) with my spirit.
When I pray or sing praises with my spirit or with my mind, it will always happen under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Also in 1 Corinthians 14:14 Paul talks about the functions of my spirit and my mind.
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”
“I don’t do anything useful (here) with my mind”, says one of the Dutch Bible translations in verse 15. “So”, says Paul, “what shall I do, or what is then the conclusion?” “I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” These two belong together, they both have their function in our relationship with the Lord.
In the Ephesians letter He repeats it again very clearly:
1. become full of the Spirit or let the Spirit fulfil you;
2. and … sing together in psalms, hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18,19 “Do not get drunk which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit. Sing and make music in your hear to the Lord.”
Try to give this part a place in your own prayer life and during worship in the church. It’s of great importance for the deepening of your spiritual life, to develop all of this. Because this is also part of ‘striving after the gifts of the Spirit’!
So you can fully sing in spiritual languages inspired by the Spirit while washing the dishes, while driving the car, etcetera! This can take place combined with a familiar melody or with a tune which develops spontaneously while singing. You honour the Lord with that and for yourself it’s also very pleasing to do! And spiritually you become richer for sure!
In some church meetings people are familiar with the concept of singing together in spiritual languages and then indeed often with a familiar melody.
Singing together under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so on and until that moment, unknown free melody, is also very well possible. It is then indeed necessary to learn to tune in with the Holy Spirit as well as to tune in with each other. Also the directing musicians will have to learn and do the same: tune in with the work of the Holy Spirit, together with the church.
The experience, especially in the somewhat bigger churches is sometimes, that this doesn’t always work with the first time. But if the members of the church are tuned in with each other, it becomes and it is a wonderful experience.
The ‘inspired’ melody will prove to be very harmonious! It is a miracle in itself that such a big number of ‘uninitiated’ ones (on a musical level that is) can sing so purely in majors and minors tuned in on each other! Yes indeed, a wonder of inspiration of the Spirit of God!
Let’s NEVER forget that hereby it’s only about the deepening work of God’s Spirit in us. Psalms 50:23 still is entirely true “He who sacrifices thank offerings honours me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God”. And isn’t that the point God is trying to make?! And also to us: for God’s work of recovering and rebuilding in our lives! For our growth towards spiritual maturity!
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