Session 7: The Controversial Gifts
In this session we discussed about “controversial” gifts that some quarters avoid or skim over in discussion. In this session’s discussion the focus was mostly on speaking in tongues as the passage we looked at was from Paul in 1 Cor 14:1-33. In this passage it was revealed that the Corinthian Christians were elevating one gift higher (tongues) than the other and Paul had to come in to rebuke those doing so and to provide a sense of order and structure to how spiritual gifts to be used in a communal setting and what would benefit the congregation. For instance, in the area of speaking in tongues, he emphasised that there must be interpretation and that it must be done in an orderly manner which does not disrupt a service or meeting. Also, he said that it would better for someone to prophesies than speak in tongues in a service or meeting because at least people understand what is being spoken rather than listening to someone speaking in tongues that nobody understands. Simply put, God isn’t a chaotic God but one of order so Paul really pushed on that message here. During discussion time, many shared about how they were confused when they experienced situations with people spoke in tongues. One person shared how she felt inadequate as a Christian because the group she was in had people all speaking in tongues and she couldn’t.
Moreover, the questions: “As reformed Christians, how should we approach these “controversial” gifts? And do you think we have cast aside these controversial gifts too easily? eg. ungraciously and unlovingly ridiculing our Charismatic circles?” was also looked at.
So how does one deal with the confusion when it comes to people speaking tongues and how does one not treat or make fun of those who come from a Charismatic church? In 1 Cor 14:20 it says, “Brother’s do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” This short verse simply say to think before you speak or act. The part about “Be infants in evil” means to not purpose evil or plan evil which an infant can’t do. But the part about thinking maturely, refers to someone who is an adult (some translations say to think like an adult) and as such, when it comes to things like speaking in tongues or prophesy that we are not familiar with or unsure about, we are to think and consider what is being done and not allow yourselves to get swayed by popular opinions or feeling End of the day, one requires to do some “thinking as a mature person” when it comes to “controversial” gifts and any other matter that may arise in the Christian walk.