Spiritual Speech
This week we are studying 1 Corinthians 14-16. Chapter 15 is filled with powerful doctrines which include:
- An argument for the reality of the resurrection of Christ and all people.
- How death was introduced into the world because of Adam’s transgression, and how Christ overcomes it.
- How all of the effects of the Fall (which are described as enemies) are subdued under the feet of Christ.
- The practice of baptism for the dead.
- How resurrected bodies will differ in glory and which are compared to the compared to the sun, moon, and stars.
- Finally, concluding that the effects death and the grave are overcome through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today I will focus instead in chapter 14. Verse 10 reads, “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification (representation or meaning).” These different voices may be contradictory or confirming of the truth. Sophisticated and articulate speech is particularly convincing, making it more difficult to discern what is real or true. If we want to orient ourselves in the world we have to pay close attention to these worldly voices but not be seduced by them.
Paul describes two spiritual gifts that pertain to speech. One is speaking in tongues and the others is the gift of prophecy. Both are manifestations of the Holy Ghost but prophecy is more useful, especially to believers.
I want to start with how we use speech. Speech informs, persuades, and entertains us. Paul puts it in different terms such as edify, exhort, and comfort. Either way, we learn and are comforted in some way by what we hear. How we react to speech makes a difference in the quality of our lives. Being able to discern truthful speech is another spiritual gift. The gift of prophecy does nothing if we are unable to discern and understand it.
The gift of speaking in tongues may be described as a form of prayer or praise that is only understood by the speaker. You could say that it is language that describes things that are indescribable. We have all had experiences that we understand but cannot expressed properly with words alone. Perhaps that is part of what Paul is saying.
The gift of prophecy however, is more straightforward and useful. Prophecy in the context of edifying the church is probably not limited to foretelling future events but includes doctrinal insights and shared personal revelation and testimony. It may also include all truthful speech. In short, helping people understand the truth about God and his Christ is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 states that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. How can having a testimony of Jesus help us foretell the future? Because of Jesus we have a hopeful future. To say that life goes beyond the grave is possibly the greatest prophecy for us all. Ancillary to that great truth is that because of Christ’s exemplary life we may have a better life when we emulate his.
As I considered the purpose of speech in general terms, I concluded that sharing information is always meant to prepare us for, or gives context that informs, our decisions and future actions. In a sense, isn’t that a form of prophecy?
To tie this up, the spiritual gift of prophecy is nothing more that to speak by the power of the Holy Ghost to edify, enlighten, comfort, exhort, and admonish ourselves and others. We should speak what we know by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus becoming prophets in our own right.