Tongues

Bible Study

1 Corinthians 12:10d ESV

James 1:5-8 ESV

If I had to choose one verse and one gift that has caused more confusion in my life more than any other verse or gift it would be tongues.

When I was twenty something the gift of tongues was categorized as a certain kind of gift and there were two schools of thought or two sides.

One side said tongues were real and they were still a gift today.

The other side said tongues were a real gift when Jesus and the Apostles were alive but as soon as they died tongues ceased.

Both sides were adamant about the validity or improbability of tongues today.

You see where I’m going.

Once again my dad always said, “is it in the Bible?”

Yes. It is in the Bible and it is listed as a gift of the Spirit.

Through the years when questions about tongues have turned up again and again I remind myself it is in the Bible.

I have to honesty say I do not have the gift of tongues.

I do not know anyone who has the gift of tongues.

However, the validity of tongues as a Gift of the Spirit is in the Bible and I believe tongues are a Gift of the Spirit.

While I have prayed about this gift many times God has never told me they are not a gift. So…they are a gift still today and there are people today who have the gift of tongues.

We also do not all agree (the Christian Community) on how many gifts are listed in the Bible. Some say there are seven. Some say nine, some say many more.

Many Gifts are included in this list of 22 gifts: Apostles; Prophets; Pastor-Teachers; Evangelists; Prophecy; Teaching; Wisdom; Knowledge; Faith; Miraculous Powers; Healing; Distinguishing between Spirits; Speaking in Tongues; Interpretation of Tongues; Helps; Service; Administration; Encouragement; Giving; Leadership; Mercy and Celibacy.

According to this list, pray about which gifts you believe you have been given.

Bear in mind we can have a gift that God uses for specific instances and while it remains as a gift it may not be your gift that you use daily.

Also remember that we can ask for a gift for specific reasons. For example, if you are going through a difficult life changing event you can ask for help and wisdom and God will help you.

James 1:5-8 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

This wisdom we can ask for can refer to wisdom we need for a specific time, like a life-changing event.

Always remember that God is always there for us and the Spirit is always ready to help when we are struggling.

We can always turn to God, ask and wait and know that God is there (here) for us.

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com