The Journey: Session Two

Different Kinds of Tongues

Part One

by Bob Van Cleef

Read 1 Corinthians 12, 13, 14

Tongues are a Foundation Upon Which the Spirit Builds

The gifts of the Spirit are given for ``the profit of all.'' They are intended for use, by God, for the building up of the community of believers and for evangelization. In St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, diverse tongues are listed as one of the key gifts of the Spirit given for the common good:

(1 Cor 12:7-11) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: [8] for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11] But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

However, in one aspect the gift of tongues has a different focus than the other gifts. The Holy Spirit uses the gift of tongues to lay a foundation of spiritual understanding and submission that prepares an individual for use in the other gifts.

(1 Cor 14:4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Because St. Paul talks about the importances of the other gifts for the edification of the church, many call the gift of tongues the ``lessor of the gifts.'' St. Paul stresses that the other gifts are more important than the gift of tongues, because of their use for the edification of the gathered congregation. This leads some leaders to down play or de-emphasize the gift of tongues. They may do this because they don't see any value in these gifts or to avoid the controversial aspect of these gifts. Conversely, others feel that the gift of tongues is a ``required'' proof that someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit and place too much emphasis on them.

(1 Cor 14:18-19) I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; [19] 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.

Notice, that St. Paul thanks God that he speaks with tongues more than they did. So, what is it that he is really trying to say? What was the value that he found in this, the ``lessor of gifts''?

Tongues are a Foundation for Growth
in the Use of Spiritual Gifts

Before God can use us He needs to prepare us. By opening ourselves to the fullness of the gift of tongues we can learn how to open ourselves to the fullness of the other gifts. The Spirit is then able to use those gifts in us as tools serve others. Through our submission to the Holy Spirit we learn to discern spirits, speak prophetically, work miracles, bring gifts of healing, walk in unshakable faith, or speak words of knowledge or wisdom. To be able to do all this, we have come to terms with our own tongue, with our own spirit.

(James 1:26) If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

Here James is talking about using our tongues sinfully, for the destruction of others. However, in the context of this discussion, I would like to also apply this verse to the concept of our personal submission to the Holy Spirit. If I think I am submitted to God's Spirit, but I cannot submit my tongue, then there may be a problem with the depth of my submission.

A parallel concept can be found in Jesus' teaching on the two great commandments.

(Mat 22:37-40) Jesus said to him, ```You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.''

How can we learn to love our neighbors as God loves them, unless we have learned to love ourselves as God loves us. The Gifts of the Spirit appear to follow the same pattern. How can we effectively use and apply them for the good of others, unless we have learned to use and apply them in our own life?

Tongues are Not a Foundation
for Judging Others

In this discussion I am not trying to lay a foundation for judging others, but a guideline for learning to follow the will of the Spirit in ``your'' personal journey. Looking at the history of the Church, it is obviously that there were many individuals who were exceptions to this general rule. God created each of us unique and special, and gifted us each according to His wishes. We all know those individuals who, in spite of the fact that they do not appear ``to us'' to walk in the Charismatic Gifts of the Spirit, are full of the Spirit of God. His presence and power is manifest in their lives.

(1 Cor 12:11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Holy Spirit is the guiding ``will''. We should not use the existence of these exceptional individuals, or the abuses practiced by others, as excuses to avoid submitting ourselves to His will as it pertains to the spiritual gifts. Many a prophetic lament has been heard; ``My children, I have granted you great gifts, but you have broken my heart by rejecting them. Come, enter into My Kingdom. Come, submit yourself to My will. Come, accept the gifts that I have given you and use them for the good of My Kingdom.''

God is Not the Author of Confusion

The key is openness to the will of the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit so that the Son may be glorified. On your journey, God may ask you to do many things that you don't understand. As you become more submissive to His Spirit you will come to understand that there is no ``cookbook'' approach to obedience that works in every circumstance.

(Eph 5:21) submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Lord has not created us to be mimics of everyone around us and he may not use you the same way as the person standing next to you. Just because everyone else is ``doing it'' is not a reason for you to mimic them. For example, the Lord may use you to praise Him in your own native language for the edification of those sitting near you, while the congregation is praising in tongues. This allows those near you, as brothers and sisters in Christ, the opportunity to say ``Amen'' to your song of praise.

(1 Cor 14:16) 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?

The Lord may call upon you to stand with hands raised high while everyone else is sitting down. He may ask you to kneel while everyone else is standing. However, one final admonition from Saint Paul.

(1 Cor 14:39-40) Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.

The Lord may call upon you to stand while everyone else is sitting down, but if everyone else is quietly listening to a speaker, then you must also remain silent. If the leaders of the gathering have given guidelines on the use of the gifts, you must follow those guidelines, no matter how ``unspiritual'' you believe them to be. If you have a problem with either the guidelines or the leaders, bring it before the Lord in prayer, as all those in authority are responsible to Him, not you. Let the Lord deal with it. You are called to submit to that authority as long as you are part of that gathering.

(Titus 3:1-2) Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, [2] to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

No matter how the Spirit appears to ``burn within you,'' it is not your calling to break the rules established by the leaders of the gathering. It is not your calling to disrupt the gathering by bringing attention to yourself. You are called to be in submission to the Holy Spirit, for God is not the author of confusion but of peace.

(1 Cor 14:32-33) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [33] For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

The Journey:
The Gifts of the Spirit

This is part of a collection of handouts designed for use as part of a series of teachings on The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, published by the Catholic Charismatic Center. Copyright (C) 1999 by the Catholic Charismatic Center.

Permission is granted for reproduction for use for non-commercial purposes, providing that you credit the author and the Catholic Charismatic Center.

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