Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 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 up building and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 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. Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 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 doubtless 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 14:1-12 ESV)
Have you ever heard someone speak in tongues? Well you could say that it depends on what I mean by tongues… Here in southwestern Texas people speak in tongues or should I say a different tongue all the time. It is not uncommon to hear Spanish being spoken and that is a tongue. So if you have ever heard some speak in a different language than you have heard someone speak in tongues. What was it like to hear them but not understand them? What would it be like to live some where where everyone else spoke a different language, and you could not understand what was happening?
How do you think people who do not attend a gathering feel when we start using insider language in our worship services? How do you think those who are not attending a community feel when different communities take shots at other communities for what they do that is “wrong”?
We are causing people to walk away from God through our insider language and holding the gospel prisoner. We are not helping the advancement of the gospel by talking talk that people do not understand and by tearing at each other.
Seek to speak the gospel in language the world can hear. That is not watering it down or changing it, that is evangelizing. Taking the good news to the streets which is what we are commanded to do.
aSacredRebel 