Tongues and Prophecy.1 Corinthians 14:1-5.

Pause for thought

The gift of interpretation of tongues is not the same as prophecy, they are two distinct gifts that the Holy Spirit gives for the building up of the church. A Christian speaking in tongues is praying to God, where as one prophesying is God speaking to men. In Acts 2:7-11 visitors to Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost heard in their own languages “ the wonderful things that God has done” this was the gift of tongues which the hearers from many different lands heard the messages (praises) being spoken to God in their own languages.
It’s important that we understand that the gift is interpretation of tongues not translation of tongues, the interpretation gives the ‘sense’ to the tongue not a word for word translation. also a genuine interpretation will not have a prefix such as “thus says the Lord” why because tongues is towards God, and Prophecy is a word for Men. Often following a time of “singing praises to God in tongues” at a worship service, words of exaltation can be heard from the mouths of the worshipers in their own languages, these words I believe should be understood as the gift of interpretation. When we speak in tongues we build ourselves up, pray for courage to bring an interpretation so that the church will be built up as they hear about the wonderful things God is doing 14:5

The gift of prophecy builds up, encourages, and brings comfort to the church, The Holy Spirit is called “the comforter” He comes alongside to empower us as we live for Christ. A prophetic word will always align with the revealed word of God in the Bible and the character of Christ. In my own experience the Holy Spirit will often prime the gift of prophecy by bringing a thought a picture or a sentence to my mind, after a prayer check and if I get the green light I will share what I believe the Lord has given me.. If we are given a “Prophecy” that pulls us down instead of building us up, we should ask the question is this really Gods word?. If we are given a “word” that is directional always check it out with other mature believers, this does not mean all directional words are false sometimes it’s simply a matter of Timing.

Memory verse

I wish you all had the gift of speaking in tongues, but even more I wish you were all able to prophecy. 14:5 N.L.T.

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