“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
(Ephesians chapter 4 v 29 – 30)
In Part 1, we studied the believer’s responsibility to filter that which we speak; to utter no corrupt (bad/rotten) communication (word/saying), so that those, to whom we speak, are edified and gracefully ministered to.
Please read or listen on the audio to Part 1 again as it will benefit you as you read or listen to Part 2.
Before I proceed to Part 2, let me share a message that was sent to me after Part 1 was published last month. It simply stated “Please read Mathew chapter 18 v 7 in the light of “corrupt communication: the cause of offence”
“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh.”
(Mathew chapter 18 v 7)
It is interesting to note that most teachings on “offence” focus on the person taking offence, with never a word spoken of the person giving the offence. The Lord Jesus Christ states categorically that He is grieved by the person from whom the offence comes. Causing others to be offended by what you say is corrupt communication. If no offensive words were spoken: then no offence would be taken.
How many times have I heard believers say” Okay! what I said was wrong, but it is their fault if they are offended by what I said.” That is not a righteous attitude and it is unscriptural.
It is worth noting that the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ are grieved by the person uttering offensive speech(corrupt communication) but not with those who are offended. Am I saying that it is ok to take offence? No! It is of no benefit whatsoever, it hurts no one but ourselves.
And so to Part 2.
Tongues and their interpretation, new testament prophecy, word of knowledge and the word of wisdom are all manifestations/demonstrations of the gift of the Holy Spirit that, through the Heavenly Father’s grace, we receive at the time of our new birth. They are available to each one who has received the gift of the Holy Spirit, and they are to profit/benefit others.
“But the manifestation (demonstration) of the Spirit is given to every man to profit(benefit) withal.”
(1 Corinthians 12 verse 7)
“But all these(the 9 manifestations, demonstrations of the spirit listed in verses 8 to 10) worketh (are energized by)that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing (distributing)to every man severally as He(God)will.”
(1 Corinthians 12 v 11)
All 9 manifestations/demonstrations of the Spirit are energized (flow through us)by the Holy Spirit as the Father wills. Please note that they are not demonstrated whenever we desire, but flow through our spirit so that others might be blessed.
Speaking in tongues and their interpretation, new testament prophecy, word of knowledge and Word of wisdom are all vocal demonstrations of the Spirit. If the words we speak out are not spiritual but merely observations assimilated by our 5 senses: things we have seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched, then that constitutes corrupt communication. No one will be edified and the words spoken will not minister grace unto the hearers.
Believe me, the Holy Spirit is extremely grieved when this occurs.
A message in tongues and it’s interpretation, and new testament prophecy are solely for use in the church, for the church. The words spoken are to edify, exhort (encourage) and to comfort those present.
“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men, to edification, exhortation and comfort.” (1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 3)
If the message spoken out does not agree with these 3 categories then it’s source is not the Holy Spirit, but merely 5 senses observations. It is corrupt communication. If we, for whatever reason, proclaim that we have a message from our Heavenly Father and we have written it and rehearsed it and memorized it thoroughly; that is corrupt communication. It might sound wonderful to us and we might deem it necessary for the church to hear, but it robs the church of the opportunity to hear what He wants those present to hear at that specific moment in time: His edification, His encouragement, His comfort; the Holy Spirit having searched the hearts of those present and ascertained what their true needs are. Hallelujah!
When tongues and their interpretation and new testament prophecy are demonstrated correctly then spiritual outpourings begin to happen.
“Wherefore tongues (and it’s interpretation. In context) are for a sign not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…..” (1 Corinthians 14 verse 22)
The greek word for sign is semeion; and can be translated as “an indicator of spiritual power energized .”
A message in tongues, one single tongue only, and of course it’s interpretation, demonstrates to those without faith that spiritual power is being
manifested and it impacts their hearts.
I have personally seen this in operation. I have seen those without faith
call out to the Lord for salvation when they hear a message in tongues and it’s interpretation. I don’t understand it but the words uttered soften the hardest of hearts. Praise Him.
Now what would have happened if I had not waited for the interpretation to come into my spirit, if I had made up my own interpretation? Nothing!
That would have been corrupt communication.
“But if all(everyone who has the spirit) prophesy, and there come in one that believes not or one unlearned, he is convinced of all( all the words spoken) he is judged of all( all the words spoken).
And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest( to him, not to others); and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” (1 Corinthians 14 verses 24,25)
Hallelujah! Our own messages can never have this effect on those unsaved. Corrupt communication can never achieve these results. We are not seeing these wonderful demonstrations in our churches today because 1. Very few churches allow tongues and it’s interpretation and new testament prophecy.
2. Sometimes we don’t trust that the Father will give us the interpretation or new testament prophecy so we bring forth our own message so that we don’t appear foolish. That is corrupt communication and nothing will happen spiritually.
When we flow in the things of the Spirit it must always be as the scriptures dictate. Then we will see signs for the unsaved and words that will cause the unsaved to ” worship God” and ” report that God is in you of a truth.”
I am just out of time here, so I will leave word of knowledge and Word of wisdom until part 3.
Until then.
Have a glorious day!