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“A Motive Behind the Action”

Thoughts for Today:

When Paul says "tongues of men" it is in reference to known languages. Acts 2:1-11 is a great example of this type of "tongues". On the Day of Pentecost, believers who were filled by the Holy Spirit spoke in languages they didn't know. Yet, the people who had come from foreign lands to Jerusalem for the feast, understood perfectly in their native language.

On the other hand, "tongues of angels" refers to the language of angelic beings. Many people understand the benefit of speaking in the tongues of men. After all, on the Day of Pentecost, many people who heard the Gospel message were saved. (Acts 2:41: "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.") But what is there to gain by speaking in the "tongues of angels"?

Following are some of the advantages of praying in a heavenly language (provided we have been given that gift by the Holy Spirit):

1. It bypasses the brain and its limitations. (1 Corinthians 14:14: "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.") Sometimes words cannot express what our spirit needs to communicate.

2. Our spirit has the mind of Christ and praying from this perspective is much more powerful than praying from our limited understanding. (1 Corinthians 2:16: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?")

3. When we pray in tongues it promotes spiritual growth. (Jude 1:20: "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.")

Paul is saying that if we don't have the type of love that produces a Christ-centered action, then we are just making noises. And it doesn't matter if it's a language of man or heaven.

Questions to Ponder:

The motive behind an action determines whether it's powered by the Spirit or one of our fleshly endeavors. Is your work simply a noise? What fruit is it producing?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.