First Corinthians 14 Part 7 Tongues Is A Sign Of Judgment But Prophecy Proclaims The Gospel.

Speaking in tongues must follow God's rules.

1 Corinthians 14:18-19  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19)  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 

Paul is continuing to expound the spiritual realities of the gift of speaking in tongues. 

The Corinthians abused this gift by not using it as God intended. 

Speaking in tongues at Corinth became a matter of pride and arrogance. 

God gave this gift so that Christ's disciples could preach the gospel in languages spoken by other people from other places.

In addition, some Corinthians pretended to speak in tongues by imitating pagan glossolalia that they used to do before Christ saved them.

Paul makes it clear that speaking in tongues does not edify anyone if there is no interpreter present.

He stressed the absolute superiority of plain gospel preaching over speaking in tongues in church. 

It is much better to speak five plain, understandable words from scripture than to utter ten thousand words in tongues.

Be spiritually mature using gifts, but be innocent of corrupting influences.

1 Corinthians 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 

Paul used two different words translated "children" that we must think about.

The first time we read the word "children" it refers to children who are old enough to attend school and receive instruction.

Thus, Paul is telling the Corinthians that they must not be like young children who are easily distracted by bright colors or new things that they see. 

Often, younger people gravitate toward flashy, new things rather than considering the substance or quality or lack thereof, of an item.

Some Corinthians were infatuated with the novelty of speaking in tongues and coveted the attention that came with it. 

However, they lacked a proper understanding of the nature of this gift. Paul helped them to understand God's purpose for this wonderful gift.

The second time that we read the word "children" in this text, it is a word that refers to a new born infant. 

Paul says that the Corinthians should seek to maintain the purity and innocence of an infant, when comes to cultural corruption.

The word "malice" refers to having ill will toward others or thinking about depraved things. 

Thus, the Corinthians were to be like innocent children in their perception of sinful things. 

Just as an infant depends upon it's parents for the necessities of life, so the Corinthians need to be like an infant depending upon their Father in heaven.

How does our Father shelter His children from cultural depravity? By speaking to us through His Word. 

He gave us the inspired scriptures and each time we open our Bible to read it, He will speak to us and teach us by His Spirit. 

Cultivate a love for God's Word and seek understanding from our Father.

Psalm 119:97-104  MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 98)  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99)  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100)  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101)  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102)  I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103)  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104)  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 

Remember, God speaks to us when we read His word with the intent to hear from Him so that we may obey our Father.

It begins by cultivating a love for the Word of God. The Psalmist loved God's Word and thought about what he read each day.

The more that he read and meditated on what God says in His Word, the more wise he became. 

Not wise with the world's wisdom but with God's wisdom to guide his steps and direct his way.

Reading and studying the scriptures gave the Psalmist a solid foundation to discern good from evil. It filled his heart with a desire to honor God in all that he did.

This is what each child of God needs and what we seek to receive from our Father. 

Paul knew this truth and sought to impart it to the Corinthians so that they might progress toward a maturing faith in Christ. 

Child like faith and innocence is necessary for entering God's kingdom. 

Matthew 19:13-15  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14)  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15)  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 

They must maintain an infant's innocence regarding ill will or depraved ideas.

Jesus referred to this as having child like faith that is pure and devoid of evil influences. Child like faith in Jesus Christ is a requirement for being in the kingdom of God.

In malice or wickedness, the Corinthians (and all Christians) must be like infants, who do not speak, or do, or practice any evil.

But in understanding the Corinthians (and all Christians) must be perfect men, who are complete in Christ. 

Men (and women) whose thoughts, words and actions show evidence of a growing, maturing faith in Christ.

God gave a prophecy in the Old Testament about the gift of tongues. 

1 Corinthians 14:21  In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 

The apostle Paul connects the gift of speaking in tongues with a prophecy of Isaiah and with the law of Moses.

We will look at both those texts to help us understand more of this particular gift of the Spirit.

Stammering lips or speaking in tongues is also a sign of judgment.

Isaiah 28:11-13  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12)  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. 13)  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. 

The prophet Isaiah spoke about 700 years before Christ was born. 

He described speaking in tongues as having stammering lips and using another language to speak to the Jewish people.

Thus, tongues was a sign for the Jews but Isaiah tells us that they would be caught in a snare when they heard speaking in tongues, because of their unbelief.

Deuteronomy 28:49  The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; 

Paul refers to both Old Testament passages in 1 Corinthians 14:21,  and both are threats of judgment against Israel.  

Speaking in tongues is evidence that God turned from the Jews who rejected His Son and gave them up to those who speak in foreign languages. 

Paul is essentially saying that the Corinthians should not be excessively zealous to speak in tongues because it is a sign of God's judgment upon the Jews. 

They hear the gospel preached in foreign languages but they did not understand it. God is judging them for rejecting His Son and refusing to submit to Christ Jesus their King.

Jesus condemned the Jewish leaders for rejecting the gospel of Christ.

Matthew 13:14-17  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15)  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16)  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17)  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

The Jews heard the gospel of Christ but they do not understand it because of unbelief. 

Jesus connects how the Jewish religious leaders rejected their Messiah to the prophets Isaiah 6:6-9 and Zechariah 7:11.

Those who are able to hear and heed the gospel are blessed with ears that hear and eyes that see the glad tidings of salvation through faith in Christ.  

1 Corinthians 14: 22  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 

Paul showed the application and significance of speaking in tongues. 

First, tongues is a sign to them that believe not, which refers to the unbelieving Jews. The Jews rejected Jesus Christ and crucified Him on the cross. 

They rejected the gospel preached by the apostles and vigorously persecuted the early church.

They heard the Lord Jesus Christ preach truth and yet His holy message did not sink into their hearts.

They saw Jesus do many powerful and astonishing miracles and yet they refused to believe Him. 

Thus, speaking in tongues was a sign against them for rejecting Christ. It was a sign that God turned away from the Jews just as they turned away from Him.

Second, he previously showed that speaking in tongues happened when uneducated men spoke the gospel in foreign languages to people of other nations.

However, prophecy is for those that do believe. In this case, the Gentiles or non Jewish people, heard the gospel of Christ and believed on Him for salvation.

Prophecy in the church edifies the whole body of believers but speaking in tongues does not edify.

1 Corinthians 14:23  If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 

Paul gave practical illustrations that contrast speaking in tongues with prophesying in the church.

He asks a question.  "If all the church is gathered to meet on the Lord's day and all members spoke in tongues, what would result when visitors came in?"

If any unlearned people or unbelievers came to an assembly where every person was speaking in tongues, they would think that the people were insane.

They would assume that the church members were not in their right minds because all they could hear was unintelligible gibberish.

A powerful illustration contrasting the gift of tongues with prophecy. 

1 Corinthians 14:24-25  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25)  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 

What a stunning contrast Paul makes. What happens if the same unlearned or unbelieving people come into a church assembly and all are prophesying? 

The impact is totally different.

They hear the gospel proclaimed with plain, understandable words. The Spirit of God takes His sword and pierces their hearts, exposing their sin and guilt before God.

He then points them to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and seeks to lead them to repentant faith.

Hearing the word of God spoken with plain words easy to be understood, leads to conversions and new life in Christ. 

The glory of preaching and sharing the scriptures with others. 

Psalm 19:7-9  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8)  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9)  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 

Thus, prophecy was a gift that edified the church and clearly proclaimed the gospel so that unbelievers could be born again.

God's holy Word is complete and fully sufficient to convert souls to Christ. 

His word can penetrate our hearts to lead us to repentant faith. 

His statutes fill us with joy and His commandments show us how to live a pure life before God. 

His Spirit opens our eyes so that we may behold wonderful things out of His law. 

His Word instills a right reverence, respect and fear of God in our heart that helps us lead a clean life.

Though the gift of prophecy in the church is no longer active because we have the complete Bible, it was a vital gift for the early church. It was used of God to save souls in a mighty way. 

I pray that those of us who are believers in Christ, will rejoice that God gave us eyes open to the truth of His Word.

I pray that we will rejoice because He gave us ears to understand the gospel of Christ in order to lead us to saving faith.

I pray that we will be Christ's faithful witnesses who are always ready to tell other people why we have hope.

Bob