Builds Up

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4

There is so much controversy over tongues. Are they for today? Is it to be done publicly? Is it just a different language? I remember in 2000 I was visiting my mother. I literally sat in two different churches, who use the word of God to explain why tongues is not for today and the other why we need to pray in tongues regularly. For a young mother, I was certainly left spinning. I had just gotten back into church so having such conflicting messages was hard to fathom, especially since both use the Bible to back their theology.

It was many years before I was able to make my conclusion based on experience. When God gave me the gift of tongues I was able to know it was for to day. I admit I’m still learning. I know that prophecies are for today, so I must need tongues to build myself up. The church needs prophecy to be built up and I need tongues to be built up.

Lord I know I need prophecy, but I also want to speak in tongues. I need identification individually and as part of the body.