Body of Christ

Speaking in Tongues: What the Bible Actually Teaches

I believe that spiritual gifts are as useful for this present age as they were for the first century church. The church is still in need of edification, and the world needs to know the Savior. Spiritual gifts are a way in which these two needs can be fulfilled. However, I advocate the proper use of spiritual gifts, a number of which have become distorted through misguided interpretation.  One of these misused gifts is speaking in tongues. Before I delve into Scripture for an explanation, I would like to briefly explain why this topic is important to me.

When I was ten years old, I was convinced that I had received the gift of speaking in tongues. Prior to receiving it, I had learned about it in church (I grew up Pentecostal). Even in a Missionettes class (a Bible study for girls) I was taught to start saying syllables and hopefully the heavenly language would just flow out. Over the years I observed others with the “gift” and was taught that speaking in tongues was a heavenly language that was between God and me. Even though I couldn’t understand what I was saying, it was supposedly a powerful prayer tool, and I even heard from the pulpit that the enemy can’t understand what I’m saying to God when I speak in tongues. I was taught that it couldn’t be controlled, like the Spirit just takes over. I believed most of these things for quite a few years. I’ve even been in services when people were encouraged to raise their voices in their heavenly languages, and a chorus of “unknown languages” rang out. But then I noticed my “language” started to change. It began to sound like languages I’ve learned or heard before. Questions began forming in my mind about the validity of this gift, but I pushed them aside for a few more years. It wasn’t until I was confronted about it with Scripture that I realized what I had learned in church and what Scripture teaches about speaking in tongues (which I will address below) were at odds with one another. I no longer “speak in tongues,” but my prayer life has been the better for it. However, I do believe that there is a spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, but it’s different from the Pentecostal view.

First, I would like to discuss the end of Luke 24 and Acts 1-2. In Luke 24 Jesus is about to ascend to heaven, but before this event, He tells His disciples something important in vv. 46-49: “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” In Acts 1 Luke reiterates these events. It is important to note in Acts 1:2-8 that Jesus is speaking specifically to the Apostles about the Holy Spirit coming upon them.  He makes it clear that they (the Apostles) will receive power from the Holy Spirit, they will be His witnesses, and they will proclaim the Gospel in all of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem. Again, vv. 12-13 also mention that it is the eleven Apostles who are given these instructions. Luke’s account continues with how the Apostles and others gather together to devote themselves to prayer. On one occasion, when there are about 120 people gathered (v. 15), Peter speaks up and says that another man should take Judas’ place among the Apostles. This event ends with Matthias being chosen. When Acts 2 begins, Luke is writing about the day of Pentecost, a different day than when the 120 were gathered together. I think many people assume that all of these people were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost; however, Scripture does not indicate this. Let’s take a look at what happened.

Acts 2:1 opens with “When the day of Pentecost had come.” This indicates that this day is different from the previous event. It continues by saying that “they were all together in one place.” The closest reference to “they” is the Apostles, but I also think that Acts 2:14 affirms this claim. We’ll get to that in a moment. In vv. 2-3, we read about a noise from heaven “like a violent rushing wind” that fills the house and about tongues like fire which were being distributed and resting on each person present. Then v. 4 says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”  If we stop here, the Pentecostal view of an unknown, heavenly language still seems to fit, but the actual meaning of “tongues” is further explained in the following verses. Verse 5 is a parenthetical note, but it’s important for this passage. It states that there were Jews living in Jerusalem from “every nation under heaven.” This indicates that they didn’t all speak the same language, which v. 6 affirms: “And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.” In v. 7 these same men are astonished because they know that the men speaking in tongues are from Galilee, meaning that they shouldn’t be able to speak all of the languages being spoken. Scripture provides even more clarification about this manifestation of the Spirit. The Jews say again in v. 8, “And how is it that we each hear them in our language to which we were born?” These men have been living in Jerusalem, yet they hear their native tongue, obviously a known language. Verses 9-11 make this point even more clearly by listing all the nations and regions where these Jews are from. If you look at a map that many Bibles provide, you’ll notice that there’s no way that these Galileans would have known all of these languages. Verse 11 also adds the Jews’ remark, “we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” Two major points to grasp so far is that this first example of speaking in tongues involves speaking known languages, and it is meant to testify about God’s greatness. Let’s continue.

While some people remain perplexed (v. 12), others mock the Apostles by basically saying they are drunk (v. 13). Verse 14 is the beginning of Peter’s defense: “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: ‘Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.’” In my opinion, this verse affirms that this specific filling of the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles because of what Jesus said in Luke 24:47 and Acts 1:8. The Gospel will be preached in Jerusalem first. Also, Peter is still addressing the same men, which means that he is still speaking in tongues here because the Jews understand him. As you can read for yourself, Peter not only defends their speaking in tongues through Joel’s prophecy (vv. 17-21), but more importantly, he shares the Gospel (vv. 22-36). When the Jews hear what Peter has to say “they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’” (v. 37). They are told to repent and be baptized (v. 38). After these things they will receive the Holy Spirit (v. 38). Verse 41 testifies that about 3,000 people received Peter’s message and were baptized that day. The Holy Spirit enabled the Apostles to preach the Gospel in many languages at once and many were saved.

This moment in Acts marked the beginning of the church. Consider the magnitude of this situation. Literally thousands of people are hearing about Christ in their own language, and they become saved. These people could then share this good news with people in their native tongue. How quickly the Gospel would have spread! Jesus gave specific instructions to His Apostles to wait in Jerusalem so that the Holy Spirit would empower them to preach the Gospel to these people. Some Christians argue that the sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, and they use Acts 1 and 2 as proof texts. However, as I’ve repeated, the fact that Jesus told His Apostles that they (specifically) would be baptized with the Holy Spirit is important. Also, when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke other languages, it wasn’t something between just them and God. Additionally, they understood what they were saying because they were speaking in their own native tongue while others heard them differently. Ultimately, speaking in tongues was God’s way of using the Apostles to preach the Gospel to unbelievers. I’m not saying that the Apostles were the only people to receive this gift. Acts 10:46; 19:6 and 1 Corinthians 12-14 say otherwise, but I believe the reason why the Spirit empowered the Apostles in such a magnificent way was to usher in the beginning of the church. Their example in Acts is important to keep in mind when reading 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 because Scripture does not contradict itself. Also, the Apostles were the leaders of the church who were empowered by God, and this manifestation of the Holy Spirit demonstrated their authority. With Acts 1 and 2 fresh in our minds, let’s take a brief look at 1 Cor. 12 and discuss 1 Cor. 14.

Paul writes in 1 Cor. 12:4-7, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” He continues by listing all the different gifts and says in v. 11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues are listed among the gifts, but there is no indication that these particular gifts are what define someone as being baptized in the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, not everyone receives the same gifts. This is one reason why the body of Christ needs to be unified, both the honorable and less honorable parts (vv. 12-26). Also notice in v. 28 that the gift of “various kinds of tongues” is listed last. Then, in 1 Cor. 13 Paul explains how love is the greatest of all gifts. Without it, other gifts are useless, including prophecy and speaking in tongues. I believe he specifically mentions these two gifts in order to discuss them further in 1 Cor. 14. (Keep in mind that chapter breaks are man-made so all of these chapters are meant to be read together.)

In 1 Cor. 14, Paul seems to be addressing speaking in tongues because it had become important to the Corinthians; however, he encourages them to desire the gift of prophecy because it edifies the whole church body. Let’s take a look at what he tells the church in vv. 1-19:

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit (or by the Spirit) he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the ‘Amen’ at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (Bold words added for emphasis)

As you may have noticed, Paul talks quite a bit about edifying the church. The function of any spiritual gift is to edify the church and bring others into the kingdom, which we read about in Acts. One of the differences between Acts and 1 Cor. 14 is the addition of interpretation of tongues. In Acts 2 there was no need for interpretation because both the speakers and hearers understood what was being said. I believe that speaking in tongues can manifest itself in such a way today. I have heard a couple of testimonies relaying experiences like this. Acts 2 also refers to a situation where there were men who spoke many different languages. Imagine how long it would take for a person to interpret what was being said into every language. In Corinthians, Paul is talking about a setting in which the church is gathered together. It is most likely that many of them speak the same language, but not all, since speaking in tongues is still encouraged. Paul explains that the one who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues because he can edify the entire church. The only time a person who speaks in tongues edifies the church is if he or someone else can interpret. The need for interpretation means that the language he is speaking is not understood by everyone. There is no discussion about it being a heavenly, unknown language. Instead, Paul says that one’s speech should be clear like musical instruments which play a distinct tone. If an instrument produces an indistinct sound, its meaning is unknown, which could be detrimental in important situations like calling men to battle. Likewise, if a person has the gift of speaking in tongues, it has to be made clear for those who hear; otherwise it is confusing and worthless. Paul plainly states that there are many languages (or sounds) in the world, and none is without meaning. The whole point Paul is driving at in this first part of 1 Cor. 14 is that believers should strive to edify the church. He encourages people to desire prophecy, but if they speak in tongues, they should pray to interpret what is being said. The second part of this chapter further explains the purpose of speaking in tongues and how to maintain order within the church. Let’s read 1 Cor. 14: 20-40:

“Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, ‘By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,’ says the Lord. So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”

The phrase “strange tongues” in the citation from the Law is referring to foreign languages, not unknown languages. Paul uses this OT passage to teach that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, which we read about in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit didn’t empower the Apostles so that they could speak in tongues to each other or just to God. Rather, He empowered them to speak to the unbelieving Jews who needed to hear the Gospel message. Also, in Acts 10:46, I believe the Holy Spirit enabled the believing Gentiles to speak in tongues as a testimony to the believing Jews that the Gentiles, too, can receive the Holy Spirit (since this was debated). However, in Corinthians, Paul explains that if everyone in the church speaks in tongues and an unbeliever or ungifted person walks in, they will think everyone is crazy. There needs to be interpretation and order. Prophecy, on the other hand, is a sign for believers, not unbelievers. It is used to edify the body. However, prophecy can also convict an unbelieving person. Paul writes that if everyone in the church prophesies, an unbelieving or ungifted person is convicted in his heart. All of his secrets are revealed, and he will worship God, understanding that God is among these people.

After this, Paul further instructs that when the church meets together, each person may have something to offer, whether it’s a psalm, a revelation, a tongue, an interpretation, etc.; however, everything must be done for the edification of the church. He provides specific instructions for tongues. When the church meets, only two or three at most should speak (in turn) and a person must interpret. If there is no interpreter, then a person should keep quiet and speak only to God. The idea of an entire assembly speaking in tongues at once (often without interpretation) seems to contradict Scripture. The idea of praying for someone in tongues without interpretation doesn’t fit either. Remember from the first part of 1 Cor. 14, if people cannot understand what is being said in tongues, it is like speaking to the air: worthless. The instructions for prophecy are somewhat similar. Two or three prophets should speak, but others should pass judgment. This means that the assembly should discern whether their words are from God or not. They still are to speak in an orderly fashion. As many of us have heard before, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (v. 33). In v. 37 Paul makes it clear that his instructions are the Lord’s commandment (yes, even the one about women keeping silent in church and asking their husbands at home. This is a topic for another post). He affirms this statement in v. 38 by saying that if someone does not recognize these teachings as being from the Lord, that person is not recognized. Paul encourages the spiritual gifts of prophecy and speaking in tongues, but everything should be done in the proper manner (vv. 39-40) and for the edification of the church.

After reviewing Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14, I believe we can come to a few conclusions about speaking in tongues. First, it involves known languages. There is no evidence that people receive a special, heavenly, unknown language that no one on earth understands but God. This also means that the enemy can understand what a person is saying. The enemy knows our innermost thoughts. That’s how he can trap and tempt us. He knows more about us than we do, and no language is going to stop that. That’s why we need to guard our hearts and minds. Second, there needs to be an interpreter. I believe there are situations when tongues can be understood by the hearer(s) like in Acts. God can work that way; however, that was to a group of unbelievers, people who needed to hear the Gospel. That is why speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers as Paul mentions. In a church setting, there needs to be an interpreter, whether it’s the person speaking in tongues or someone else with the interpretation gift. People need to understand what is being said, or there’s no point speaking at all. Third, all gifts should be used for the edification of the church. If a person wants to continue speaking in tongues without an interpretation then he or she needs to stay silent and speak to God. This means that a person can control speaking in tongues. Also, if someone wants to pray for another person, he should pray in his own language. That way both the speaker and the one receiving prayer understand what is being said, and the latter can be edified and encouraged. Fourth, speaking in tongues is to be conducted in an orderly manner. Two or three people at the most can speak and only with an interpreter present. Everyone should be edified. Spiritual gifts are given to us by the Spirit, not to be directed back to God, but rather to encourage others in the Lord and bring people to the knowledge of Christ.

Speaking in tongues in the biblical sense can be useful. Paul says that he speaks in tongues more than all of the Corinthians, and he’s thankful for it. It makes sense when we consider that Paul traveled quite a bit planting churches in many different regions. Having the gift of tongues would have been beneficial in spreading the Gospel. It can also be beneficial if we minister in areas where no one speaks our language. Speaking in tongues is not a selfish gift meant to stay between a person and God. It is also not a secret weapon against the enemy. It is for unbelievers who need to come to the knowledge of Christ and for the edification of believers when an interpretation is given.

I realize that many people I know will be offended or put off by this post, but I believe all of this to be the truth. I, too, have gone through the experience of what I thought was speaking in tongues. Instead, I believe it was more of a suggestive experience. I was constantly exposed to the Pentecostal experience of speaking in tongues and desired to receive it in this same way. I have also talked about all of these things with a close person in my life who had the same speaking in tongues experience. At first this person did not agree with what I had to say but took time to search the Scriptures and pray about it. After some time, she conceded that Scripture taught something different than her experience, and she realized that she got more out of praying with understanding. Experiences are difficult to contend with, but everything must be tested against the truth of Scripture. Sometimes preachers’ teachings and Scripture are not in sync, and this needs to be corrected. We all need to grow and be edified by the body of Christ. Let us do it with truth and understanding.

If anyone has any questions or comments I would be happy to respond. Know that all of this has been written with love and after much prayer and consideration.

© Lauren Heiligenthal

A Tribute to the Persecuted and Slain

You told the Father you’d follow His will.

You accepted His Son without hesitancy.

You carried your cross even unto the gates of hell,

But the enemy did not prevail.

 

Tortured, battered, beheaded

For the sake of His name,

You have stood for righteousness

In a world where evil reigns.

 

You’ve demonstrated the cost of discipleship

By laying down your life.

Death was more honorable than saying,

“I forsake Jesus Christ.”

 

I hear your stories, and I weep for you.

How can humanity be so cruel?

Yet even with such malicious intent,

Your sacrifice is beautiful.

 

It is beautiful to the One who welcomes you home,

To Him who says, “I will avenge!”

It is beautiful to the Son who understands your pain,

To Him who calls you servant, child, and friend.

 

You have placed your feet on the Solid Rock

When all around you is quicksand.

Your resilience in the midst of adversity

Has challenged the Body to stand.

 

We will remember you

And your commitment to the King.

May we be willing to live like you,

Giving up everything.

 

This world is not our home.

It only reaps anger, hatred, and fear.

Our destination is eternity

Where the Lord heals every pain, wipes every tear.

 

To all of God’s people, stand firm and be ready

For the enemy shows no restraint.

But whatever the cost may be,

Let us stand strong with the persecuted and slain.

© Lauren Heiligenthal

Daughters of the Heavenly Father

A few years ago I had a friend who was a daddy’s girl. From what I observed, she and her father seemed to understand each other well and enjoy one another’s company. Then all of a sudden her father failed her family in a big way. I knew she was devastated. The life she knew was shattered, and I tried my best to be there for her even though I couldn’t relate. It seemed like the idea of a good, heavenly Father began to fade after this moment in her life.

Maybe you have a similar story of your own. Maybe your father or a father figure in your life let you down, and it’s hard to comprehend a loving, heavenly Father. I believe one of the hardest lessons to learn in life is that people will let us down. Sometimes they’ll leave scars. Sometimes their words and actions resound in our hearts and minds to the point that we begin to trust no one. However, we should always be able to have confidence in our Father.

For some, it might be hard to trust the Father because of His relationship with Jesus. You might be thinking, “The Father sacrificed His only Son! How could He truly love Jesus?” We must remember two things when reflecting on this relationship. First, the Father sacrificed His Son in order to save us. This was the only way. In Scripture, sacrifices had to be perfect, and it had to mean something to the one offering the sacrifice. Jesus was (and still is) perfect in every way. He was/is God. He is a part of the Father (“I and the Father are one”- John 10:22), which means that this sacrifice hurt the Father tremendously. The second thing to remember is that Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself. Consider John 10:14-15 where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” He continues these thoughts in vv. 17-18, “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” Jesus trusted the Father even knowing that His sacrifice was coming. His reason for dying, His sheep (us), outweighed the pain of death. I say all of this to encourage you that everything the Father does is out of love. Our earthly fathers make mistakes. Sometimes they’re there for us and try really hard. Other times they’re non-existent. But our heavenly Father is ALWAYS there, and ALWAYS loves. We just have to be willing to trust Him and follow Him down the path He has designed for us.

I realize that some of you may have great fathers, but maybe there have been other men in your life that have let you down. Maybe you’ve entered relationships that have left you feeling hurt and hopeless, and the idea of turning to your heavenly Father is not appealing because of this hurt. Consider Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 4. Verses 6 and 8 explain that Jesus is weary from his journey from Judea to Samaria, and His disciples go into the city while Jesus rests at Jacob’s well. During this time a Samaritan woman comes to draw water (v. 7). Now we know that nothing is a coincidence when it comes to Jesus meeting people. Even though the woman comes to draw water, Jesus engages in conversation with her first (v. 7). This was a big deal not only because He spoke with a woman alone, but Jews didn’t interact with Samaritans (v. 9). Despite this fact, Jesus simply asks her for a drink. The Samaritan woman is confused and asks why He chooses to talk with a Samaritan woman since He is a Jew. Right from the start Jesus turns a simple request for water into an invitation to eternal life: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (v. 10). Again, the woman seems to be confused by what Jesus tells her and about who He is (vv. 11-12). Jesus continues His salvation message in vv. 13-14: “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

In v. 15 the woman still doesn’t seem to understand what Jesus is telling her. She still thinks in terms of her physical thirst. Jesus then says, “Go, call your husband and come here” (v. 16). This seems random at first, but Jesus knows what He’s doing. The woman replies, “I have no husband” (v. 17) after which Jesus confirms that this is true because she’s already had five husbands and is living with a man who is not her husband (v. 18). Scripture has finally revealed why this woman is drawing water by herself with no other women around. A woman with such a reputation was an outcast from society. Scripture does not explain what happened in her relationships, but I think it is unlikely that all of her husbands had died. Yet, despite her social status, Jesus chooses to talk with her. At this point in the conversation the woman perceives Jesus to be a prophet (v. 19). She then discusses how the Samaritans and Jews worship in different places (v. 20), but Jesus explains that in a short while true worshippers of God won’t worship on the mountain or in Jerusalem. Instead, they will worship the Father in spirit and truth (vv. 21-24). Basically, He’s telling her that it doesn’t matter if a person is a Jew or Samaritan or even what she has done in her life. The Father desires worshippers who will truly seek Him. As we know, Christ will be the One to bridge the gap between Jews and Gentiles on the cross, but He’s already telling this woman that ethnicity and gender will not hinder a person from being part of the kingdom of God. The woman confesses that she knows that the Messiah is coming, and He will declare all things. Jesus then reveals that He is the One (vv. 25-26). After this, the woman declares what she has heard to the men in the city.

In the meantime, the disciples meet up with Jesus again and encourage Him to eat (despite their confusion seeing Jesus speaking to a woman) (v. 31). Jesus explains that “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (v. 34). I believe that in the context of this passage, the Father’s will was for Jesus to share God’s salvation with the Samaritan woman. Why is this? Let’s check out vv. 39-42, “From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.’ So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.’” The woman could have walked away from Jesus when He confronted her about her past and her current lifestyle. However, I believe she realized that even though He knew everything about her, He was still willing to share something important with her. The Father knew that she would be the one to spread the good news to the men of the city who knew her reputation. Maybe that’s what caught their attention. Many of them believed that Jesus was the Messiah because of her testimony.

I don’t want to infer too much about this passage, but I think it’s safe to say that the Samaritan woman was hurt by some people in her life. It also seems like that she made some poor choices based on her current lifestyle. Ultimately, being an outcast couldn’t have been easy, but the Father approached her through Christ. He gave her hope that there’s something better to come. I’m sure it was tough to hear all the things that the Messiah knew about her. No one wants to be exposed like that. But it was done out of love so that she could come to know salvation as a true child of God.

Reflecting on this story, it is apparent that the Father views His daughters as important and precious. Not all of us have gone through the same experiences as the Samaritan woman, and I’m not suggesting that we’ve all made poor choices in our relationships. I know there are women who have been abused and worse. But we need to know and believe that the Father is always good. His desire is that we will always come to Him with our hurt and be healed. We can’t compare what is earthly and temporary with what is perfect and eternal. Let us trust Him today for He is Hope. He is always there when we turn to Him.

I mentioned in the beginning of this post that I had a friend who was hurt by her father’s decisions. During that time I wrote a song for her from God’s perspective. I hope you find it encouraging as you continue to follow God and trust Him.

My Daughter (originally written May 30, 2008)

(Verses)

You are precious, My daughter.

I cover you.

You are priceless, My child.

I will heal you.

I will lift you up.

I will bandage your wounds.

Come to me, come to me,

come to me, My beloved.

 

You see yourself unworthy.

I see you a queen.

You have captured My heart

with one glance towards Me.

You are beautiful, My love.

You are worth it all to Me.

 

(Chorus)

Why do you hide from me, your King?

Don’t you know I see you crying?

I long to see you dancing again.

I look upon you in adoration.

You are My desire.

Cry no more, My child.

I will show you love,

My perfect love,

Your Father’s love.

 

(Verse)

Reach for me My daughter.

I’m reaching for you.

I embrace you, My child.

I am strengthening you.

I promise to love you

for all My days,

for eternity,

always.

I’m loving you always.

© Lauren Heiligenthal

Denomination…Abomination?

Okay, maybe abomination is too strong of a word, but I had to get your attention. There have been a few questions/thoughts on my mind for some time now regarding church disunity: How can the body of Christ be a body if it is dismembered? I suppose a person could argue that a dismembered body is still a body, but then how can it function properly if the pieces are disconnected? Interestingly, the idea of denominations (divisions) didn’t start with the Reformation. Paul discusses the same topic in 1 Corinthians; however, based on what he says, I don’t think he’d approve of where the church is today.

Before getting to the heart of the matter (1 Cor. 3:1-7), let’s briefly run through how Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians. He first identifies himself as an apostle of God (1:1), one who has been given authority within the church. Then he mentions how the church in Corinth has been sanctified by Christ (1:2) and continues to describe how they’ve been well-endowed with gifts (1:7). Verse 9 describes how they were called by God into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Paul’s message has been positive thus far towards the Corinthians. If you look at Paul’s other letters they typically open with what the church is doing well followed by exhortation. In vv. 10-15 Paul begins his exhortation: “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas,’ and ‘I of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Paul continues to say that he was sent to preach the gospel, “not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void” (1:17). He explains that the gospel is foolishness to the world, but to those who have been called, this gospel is their (our) salvation. Those who boast should boast in the Lord, not man (1:31).

In chapter 2, Paul discusses the role of the Spirit in his gospel message: “I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (2:3-5). The Spirit also plays a significant role in the lives of all Christians, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual (thoughts) with spiritual (words)” (2:11-13; NASB translation adds the words in parentheses). Think about this for a minute. As Christians we have the Spirit of God, the same Spirit who searches the depths of God (2:10). We can know God’s will because we have His Spirit, and Paul affirms that we have the mind of Christ (2:16). So why are we so divided? Why do we have differing beliefs that keep us from communing with one another? Paul, Peter, John, and Luke taught the same message to the church, and I believe that the Gospels agree. Maybe what Paul says next to the Corinthians will shed some light on these questions.

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” (3:1-7). As we read earlier the Corinthians had many gifts, and 2 Cor. 8 indicates that they were financially stable. So what was the problem with this body of believers? If we look again at what Paul says, notice that he points out their spiritual condition. He uses the analogy of milk and solid food. He first gives them milk to drink, which makes sense when people start their Christian walk. The problem is that the Corinthians should be maturing and ready for spiritual food, but they aren’t. They’re still babies, so to speak. What keeps them spiritually immature? Their own flesh (3:3). They allow jealousy and strife to remain among them. Paul also points out that he and other messengers of God are simply that, messengers. GOD is the one who causes the growth. Another example of a messenger was Martin Luther. During the Reformation, he stood up against the Catholic Church because of his own convictions while studying Scripture. This was the beginning of Protestantism, but from what I’ve learned about Luther, he didn’t like the term Lutherans. It wasn’t until after his death that his followers began to identify themselves as such. Each denomination starts with the beliefs of one man or a group of men. Now, I’m not suggesting that people shouldn’t discuss or defend their beliefs. I think we’re all grateful for Luther’s boldness and willingness to search the Scriptures for himself. He followed God’s Word despite what he had been taught his whole life. I believe this is something we should do. What I am saying is that men create denominations, not God. God uses people as messengers to teach His truth, and this truth should not contradict itself if we all have the same Spirit.

Let’s flip ahead to 1 Corinthians 12. In this text Paul talks about spiritual gifts. He says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (12:4-7). This passage is insightful because it demonstrates that all gifts, ministries, and effects from these things derive from the same place: God (note the allusion to the Trinity). This also means that if two people claim to have the same gift, but they somehow contradict each other, there needs to be a reexamination of Scripture. Because we have the same Spirit, gifts, ministries, and the effects should be consistent. Paul lists different gifts in 1 Cor. 3:8-10 and then adds some important information: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things (the gifts), distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many” (3:11-14). The beauty of being part of the body is that we all have our roles to fulfill. Each member of the body is important, but we have to be unified. What’s even more interesting is that one member of the body is not more important than another. We may think church leaders are more important, but consider vv. 21-26, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

What if we functioned this way? What if we cared for the WHOLE body this much? This includes all followers of God in every denomination. What if we worked out our disagreements instead of splitting? When we continue to divide, it only leads to bitterness, anger, malice, etc. It also allows room for the enemy to take root and prosper among us. Instead of having three churches right next to each other, why don’t we have one meeting place in a town and have community? Imagine if we could provide for each other’s needs by using our own talents, gifts, finances, material possessions, etc. (Note: I’m NOT referring to socialism in any way. I’m talking about believers helping other believers). There wouldn’t have to be just one or two leaders preparing a message every week (less stress), but we could learn from a group of leaders (elders and deacons; 1 Tim. 3) and from each other. Not only would the church be free from divisions, but the world would be dumbfounded to see Christians actually functioning as a unified body. I’m not sure if all Christians are interested in such a change, but what about you?

Do I think denominations are abominations? Not necessarily. Do I think they have allowed the church to be a light to the world? Yes, albeit a dim light. We are called to bring truth and be a BRIGHT light. I think each denomination holds a facet of truth, so why not bring it all together? Let us wrestle with the tough issues. Let us not be so greatly influenced by our culture that we change our theology to fit current trends. Paul writes in Eph. 4:1-6, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance (note: “tolerance” is in the context of having patience, not simply tolerating everything people do) for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Notice the emphasis on unity, and how we are to act towards one another. Among other instructions, Paul adds in vv. 31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.” Even though I’ve only looked at two NT churches, it seems clear that there were disunity issues even in the first century. However, they were supposed to change their hearts and attitudes towards one another. A couple of millennia later, I think the challenge is still the same.

Well I have written much, but I’ll end this post with a song I wrote almost five years ago. It begins by imploring God to help me fix myself, and then continues by asking God to forgive and help the church make a change so that we can be conquerors (spiritually) in this world.

Conquer (originally written December 2, 2009)

(Verse)

Peel back the layers.

Dig down deep,

And pull out the best of me. (Oh)

I am tired of my selfishness,

A revealing disease.

Oh God, please, discover the best of You in me.

 

(Chorus)

I can’t go on like this with such bitterness as my companion.

Change me from within.

Break my life from sin.

Give me new eyes so that I can see clearly.

 

(Verse)

Wars are raging between the Bride for whom you died.

Oh God, why? (why)

Jealousy, anger, brokenness.

We can only ask for Your forgiveness.

 

(Chorus)

We can’t go on like this with such haughtiness as our companion.

Change us from within.

Break our lives from sin.

Bring us together.

Make us whole again:

One body.

 

(Bridge)

Teach us how to love, to serve, to laugh, and dream.

Give us strength to rise when we fall.

We will conquer all.

We will conquer all.

We have conquered all because You are the power in us.

 

________________________

I hope you’ve been encouraged by the Word and challenged by my questions and thoughts. Let us keep uplifting one another in love.

© Lauren Heiligenthal

Faith Like a Child

If something or someone is described as being childish, it’s usually not a good thing. Childish behavior often connotes immaturity. However, Christians are encouraged to have childlike faith. It sounds simple enough, but all too often worry supersedes faith. This has been a constant challenge in my life. My faith begins to falter whenever I think about bills, student loans, getting a job, etc. I then start to worry about what other people think, and before I know it, I’m on a downward spiral, losing my trust in the Lord. Children, on the other hand, are quite different.

Children are amazing creatures. Anyone who has had children or been around them long enough can attest to this. I’ve spent the last 18 months helping to take care of wonderful (and sometimes crazy) twin boys. There are many times when they’ve tried my patience, but they’ve taught me so much about God the Father’s relationship to His children. At birth, these boys were helpless on their own. They needed their parents and me to do everything for them. They had no choice in the matter. As they’ve grown up they’ve learned that we will take care of their needs. In the early stages, their cries signaled hunger and wet diapers. When they were learning how to walk they knew we would be right there to help them. Nowadays, when they play they throw themselves backwards with complete trust that we will catch them (even though it scares me sometimes!). They hold out their hands when they need help getting off their manually-pushed vehicles, and when they fall they know we’ll be waiting with open arms. They also learn by being disciplined even though it’s hard to do sometimes. All in all, children have no worries. They know their parents will take care of them for their every need. This is how we are supposed to be too. After all, we are called the children of God.

Many of us are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. All too often it’s cut up into pieces for the sake of a brief sermon, or we focus on a bunch of different themes within the text and take them one at a time. Most (if not all) translations break this text up into different sections with their own headings. While there are different topics within these chapters, it is important to read the text altogether to grasp the overarching message. For instance, it is significant to note in Matt. 5:1-2 that Jesus is speaking to His disciples; however, I believe this is referring to all of those who were following Christ (not just the 12) because not all of the twelve have been chosen yet. He is teaching them how disciples are supposed to think and act, being distinguished from the unbelieving Gentile and the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5). As a disciple, one’s righteousness should not be put on display for all to see, but rather one should honor the Father rather than himself/herself. The discussion on prayer in Matt. 6:5-14 is interesting because it focuses on having faith in the Father. In vv. 5-6, Jesus’ disciples are commanded not to be like the Pharisees because they only draw attention to themselves in prayer. In v. 7, disciples ought not to be like Gentiles who use many words in order to be heard by their gods. Rather, v. 8 explains that our Father already knows what we need before we even ask Him. How amazing is that! All we have to do is ask with the right intent, which is not to be glorified by men or to persuade God with all of our wonderful words, but simply to trust that He knows and provides. Notice in v. 12 (part of the Lord’s Prayer) that asking God for our needs to be met involves repenting of our sins. How can we expect God to do anything in our lives if we’re unwilling to be right with Him? However, that’s a topic for another day. Verses 16-24 seem to convey the same instructions. Disciples ought to focus on the Lord and not get caught up in the world. As v. 24 says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Ouch! In the American culture, this is a difficult pill to swallow. Working and being successful in one’s occupation has become a top priority for many Americans, and a number of Christians are among them. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with providing for one’s family. However, when the job becomes more important than God and family, then we have a problem. So far in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes it clear that the Lord should be one’s focus.

Now that we’ve briefly covered part of the Sermon, let’s take a look at Matt. 6:25-34. Remember that v. 24 talks about how a person cannot serve both God and wealth. Verse 25 then comments, “For this reason (note: refers back to what Jesus just said earlier in the Sermon) I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” This sounds a lot like instructions on how to have childlike faith. As I wrote above, children know their needs will be met somehow. We should also not be worried about having our needs met. What’s also encouraging is that Jesus paints a picture in vv. 26-29 of how God takes care of things that seem insignificant: the birds of the air and lilies of the field. He then asks a pointed question to His disciples in v. 30, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” If God takes care of perishable, temporary things, will He not also take care of us who will spend eternity with Him? Something to ponder. Verse 32 repeats the same message in v. 8: the heavenly Father knows our needs. But here’s the kicker, the whole point to Jesus’ message so far: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33). We’ve heard this preached many times, but do we understand it? What if God asked you to quit your job? What if He told you to move and leave everyone you know behind? What if He asked you to go to school knowing that you would be in debt for a time (I’m experiencing this one)? Even if you don’t understand the full picture of why God asks you to do something, will you do it anyway? When we ask children to stay back from the oven or to hold our hands when crossing the street, they don’t understand why, but we know the dangers. When they listen to us, we save them from potential disaster. When they don’t obey, they might get a burned hand or worse, get hit by a car. Part of having childlike faith is doing what the world thinks is crazy (Consider 1 Cor. 3:18-19a, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.”) But we shouldn’t worry because worry leads to that downward spiral away from God.

Going back to the Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 7:7-11 reiterates the same teaching about the Father that we read in Matt. 6:25-34. Jesus tells his disciples to ask, knock, and seek, and they will receive what they seek. He then gives an everyday example in vv. 9-11, “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” We can relate to what Jesus is saying here. People who love their children only want to give the best they can. Our Father is the same way.

Also something to note, this is NOT a health and wellness teaching or prosperity gospel because such doctrines only focus on ourselves and what WE want. This is a “put God first” teaching, and He will bless you for your faith. Will you be tried and tested? Yes! Part of being a Christian is standing firm when the world comes against you. Your family may even come against you for following God (even Christian families). But Jesus encourages His disciples in Matt. 7:13-14 to “Enter the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Notice, there are only two choices. There’s the way of the world, or God’s way, despite what some people teach nowadays. Jesus also encourages His disciples to have discernment regarding people who claim to be godly. Such people either produce good or bad fruit despite their outward appearance (vv. 15-23). Lastly, in the Sermon, Jesus teaches His disciples that they should act on what they’ve heard. To trust the Father and not worry is a command to be enacted. We don’t want to be like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, but like the wise man who built his house on the rock (vv. 24-27).

Is it easy to have childlike faith? No, I don’t think so. But we MUST try. The narrow road is hard. That’s why only a few find it. I don’t think Jesus was being hyperbolic in making this statement. Our focus must be on the eternal instead of the temporary. Money and possessions tend to be dear to us, and in themselves they are not bad. I repeat, having wealth is NOT bad (despite what some preachers may say). Wealth becomes bad when we clutch it so tight that we’re unwilling to let it go when God asks us to (i.e., rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-28). When we put God first, trust Him to take care of our needs, and maintain right-standing before Him, He will provide. I preach to myself when I exhort you, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, to stand firm, trust the Lord, and encourage each other in the faith. We are the body of Christ. Let us walk the narrow road together.

© Lauren Heiligenthal