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111) 1Cor 14:13 . . anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may
interpret what he says.
If Acts 2:1-12 is the model; then a genuine Spirit-endowed tongue should be
an honest to gosh real-life working language instead of incoherent blabber
that's intelligible to no one, not even the speaker.
"Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation
under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in
bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
. . . Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking
Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native
language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea
and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the
parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to
Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them declaring the wonders of God
in our own tongues!"
Mozart composed some amazing music; but had he not arranged the
components sensibly, it would likely grate on people's nerves instead of
entertaining them; sort of like when an orchestra verifies the pitch of its
instruments just prior to a performance. The discordant din that the
orchestra makes is a cacophony instead of a rhapsody.
● 1Cor 14:7 . . Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as
the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless
there is a distinction in the notes?
Modern tonguers typically don't compose anything pleasant to the ear. At
least if they would chirp like birds their speech would be a discernible song
instead of an unintelligible squawk.
I was informed by a Charismatic friend that he prayed in a tongue because
he couldn't express his deepest feelings any other way. Mind you this was an
American adult of almost fifty years old; educated in America and spoke,
wrote, and read English-- his native language --his entire life. So I asked
him how it is that his command of English was so poor that he could only
express his thoughts in a language that not even he himself could either
identify or understand?
● 1Cor 14:13-15 . . If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is
unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray
with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
In other words: there are Christians out and about blabbering incoherently
because they choose to, rather than because they have to. With just a
simple act of their own will they could easily switch to something composed
with real words.
Why on earth would a grown-up prefer incoherent blabbering? Isn't that the
way small children communicate? Well, I can excuse small children because
they're uneducated. But shouldn't supposed educated adults be just a bit
more mature with their language and grammar than small children?
The true gift of tongues is very handy for communicating with foreigners.
But in our day and age, Charismatics typically don't communicate with
anybody, either foreign or domestic . As a result, Charismatics are looked
upon with the same disdain as the kooks that hurl themselves on the floor,
faint, scream, writhe, shout, and dance with rattlesnakes.
Well; not too many sensible people care to accommodate kooks, so if you're
serious about influencing people for Christ, I highly recommend sticking to
an intelligible language. Here in my country, English is a good choice
because most people can understand it without requiring the services of a
translator.
And for heaven's sake, please do not allow yourself to be drawn to
participating in a tongues meeting.
● 1Cor 14:23 . . So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks
in tongues, and some who do not understand, or some unbelievers come in,
will they not say that you are out of your mind?
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