.
Mozart composed some amazing music; but had he not arranged the components
sensibly, it would likely grate on people's nerves instead of entertaining them; sort of like
when an orchestra verifies the pitch of its instruments just prior to a performance. The
discordant din that the orchestra makes is a cacophony instead of a rhapsody.
● 1Cor 14:7 . . Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or
harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the
notes?
Modern tonguers typically don't compose anything pleasant to the ear. At least if they
would chirp like birds their speech would be a discernible song instead of an
unintelligible squawk.
I was informed by a Charismatic friend that he prayed in a tongue because he couldn't
express his deepest feelings any other way. Mind you this was an American adult of
almost fifty years old; educated in America and spoke, wrote, and read English-- his
native language --his entire life. So I asked him how it is that his command of English
was so poor that he could only express his thoughts in a language that not even he
himself could either identify or understand?
● 1Cor 14:14-15 . . If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So
what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with
my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
In other words: there are Christians out and about blabbering incoherently because they
choose to, not because they have to. With just a simple act of their own will they could
easily switch to speaking with real words.
Why on earth would a grown-up prefer incoherent blabbering? Isn't that the way small
children communicate? Well, I can excuse small children because they're uneducated.
But shouldn't supposed educated adults be just a bit more mature with their language
and grammar than small children?
The true gift of tongues is very handy for communicating with foreigners. But in our day
and age, Charismatics typically don't communicate with anybody, either foreign or
domestic . As a result, Charismatics are looked upon with the same disdain as the
kooks that hurl themselves on the floor, fainting, screaming, writhing, shouting, and
dancing with rattlesnakes.
Well; not too many sensible people care to accommodate kooks, so if you're serious
about influencing people for Christ, I highly recommend sticking to an intelligible
language. Here in my country, English is a good choice because most people can
understand it without requiring the services of a translator.
And for heaven's sake, please do not allow yourself to be drawn to participating in a
tongues meeting.
● 1Cor 14:23 . . So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in
tongues, and some who do not understand, or some unbelievers come in, will they not
say that you are out of your mind?
_