This post is Day 28 in a series of studies about “Mysteries and Secrets”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Mysteries and Secrets – Day 28

My experience as a speaker in many different churches is that one of the greatest dividers in Christian communities is the use of the gift of tongues. There are believers who say that those who do not speak in tongues and operate in the spiritual gifts are not real Christians.

1 Corinthians 14:2

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

The Thought

In this chapter, Paul is telling the Corinthian church about the correct use of spiritual gifts. It is interesting that this follows the famous chapter on Love (1 Corinthians 13). Every Christian needs to learn to walk in love, in every situation. That does not mean that we allow evil things in church meetings or in the lives of believers, but it does mean that we act lovingly and do not criticise others, but rather pray that they, as well as we ourselves will all find the truth of what God intends.

My experience as a speaker in many different types of church is that one of the greatest dividers in Christian communities is the use of the gift of tongues. Some denominations say it is not for today; that all spiritual gifts finished with the apostles (I don’t find that in my Bible!). Others say that it should only be used privately at home, because as Paul says in this verse For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. For many that means privately at home!

There are also other believers who say that those who do not speak in tongues and operate in the spiritual gifts are not “real” Christians. I find no qualification like that in my Bible!

Action

Think today about this subject and ask God what He thinks. Reading 1 Corinthians 14 will probably be helpful. It begins with Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts!

Pray for more use of these gifts in your church, whether they are for small groups, or when the whole church meets, or for private use only.

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