Prophecy, Praise and Worship

The Tongue in Worship: Singing and Declarations

When I flip through the pages of the Bible, I see the tongue doesn’t just serve as a vehicle for conversation; it’s an instrument of worship. Intricately woven into the fabric of biblical faith is the act of using one’s voice to glorify God. The Psalms, for instance, are packed with verses that invite – no, urge – us to sing praises and speak adoration toward our Creator. Also, Colossians 3:16 states “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

In worship, the tongue is active. It doesn’t matter if you’re tonally perfect or rhythmically challenged (like myself); what does matter is the authenticity of our praise. The book of Ephesians 5:19 encourages believers to “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”. Now that’s a clear directive to use our tongues as a tool for expressing passion and reverence for God.

There’s also a powerful collective element in this. When we lift our voices together, there’s a unity that echoes the communal nature of the early church. The tongue becomes a binding thread, uniting individuals in a shared expression of faith. It builds us up and, I bet, it delights God’s heart to hear His children unified in worship; Romans 15:6 “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now, singing is just half the story. Declarations—the spoken affirmations of God’s truth—are equally vital. They’re moments of standing in one’s faith, proclaiming the promises of God, almost like planting a flag on the battlefield of life. Biblical figures like David, out there facing Goliath, didn’t just sling stones; he declared victory with his tongue before the battle even began. Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Ready to speak God’s truth into your life and into the lives of others? Well, that’s where the next section, ‘Prophetic Speech: The Tongue as a Channel for Divine Messages’, comes in. It’s about the tongue being more than just a personal tool; it’s a conduit for messages that have the power to transform not just an individual, but entire communities.

Prophetic Speech: The Tongue as a Channel for Divine Messages

In the Bible, the tongue serves as more than just a tool for everyday communication. It’s a vessel for conveying divine messages to humanity. Prophets in the biblical narrative were given the heavy responsibility of using their tongues to communicate God’s will to His people. When I consider examples like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Elijah, I see individuals who spoke with authority and courage because they understood their words carried the weight of divine purpose. 1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy” to speak God’s messages to others.

But with great power comes great responsibility. The Bible doesn’t shy away from the perils that come with prophetic speech. False prophets are condemned for using their tongues deceitfully to lead people astray 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction”. Discernment is therefore highlighted as a necessity, both for the speaker and the listener, in separating God’s truth from human fabrication 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world”.

The characteristics of authentic prophetic messages include:

1. Alignment with Scripture: Authentic prophetic messages do not contradict the teachings of the Bible. They align with the principles and truths found in Scripture.
   • Isaiah 8:20 (KJV): “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
2. Exaltation of Jesus Christ: True prophecy glorifies Jesus Christ, affirming His deity, His work of salvation, and His teachings.
   • 1 John 4:2 (KJV): “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.”
3. Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort: Authentic prophecies build up, encourage, and comfort the church and its members.
   • 1 Corinthians 14:3 (KJV): “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
4. Truthfulness: True prophetic messages are accurate and truthful. They do not mislead or deceive.
   • Deuteronomy 18:22 (KJV): “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
5. Promotion of Holiness and Righteousness: Authentic prophetic messages promote godly living, encouraging believers to pursue holiness and righteousness.
   • 2 Peter 1:21 (KJV): “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
6. Consistency with the Fruit of the Spirit: True prophecy reflects the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
   • Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
7. Fulfillment: Authentic prophecies come to pass as spoken. If a prophecy is truly from God, it will be fulfilled.
   • Jeremiah 28:9 (KJV): “The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him.”

These characteristics help us a believers discern whether a prophetic message is genuinely from God or not.

Practical Wisdom for Today: Applying Biblical Teachings on the Tongue

The way we talk matters immensely. The Bible isn’t merely an ancient text; it provides timeless wisdom that can guide our conversations today. In this spirit, I’d like to share some advice drawn from Scripture about how to make our words count.

Before speaking, take a moment to consider the potential impact of your words. This resembles taking a deep breath before diving into a pool – it prepares you and those around you for what’s coming. This pause might help to filter out any potential harm and instead shape your words for encouragement and positivity.

Honesty goes a long way. When we speak the truth in love, as encouraged in Ephesians, we do more than share information; we build relationships rooted in trust and sincerity. Uphold integrity in your words, for they should reflect your character.

Wisdom doesn’t mean using big words; it means knowing when to speak and when to listen. There’s great respect in silencing your own voice to give space to others. That’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

As you find yourself caught in arguments, remember the Proverbs’ advice: ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ It’s not about proving a point but rather about communicating with a purpose – to understand and to be understood.

To balance speaking and listening, seek feedback about how you communicate. Engage in an open dialogue where you learn about the effects of your words on others. That’s an investment in your growth and relationships.

Overall, embracing the biblical teachings on the tongue challenges us to be mindful about our daily conversations. It pushes us towards a path where every word we say builds rather than breaks, heals rather than wounds, and reflects who we are and aspire to be.

Conclusion

We’ve explored various dimensions of the tongue’s influence as detailed in the Bible, from its capacity to bring about wisdom or folly to its profound impact on faith and worship. The scriptures present us with a formidable challenge: to use our words consciously and constructively, recognizing their immense power over our lives and those around us.

The wisdom imparted through biblical teachings about the tongue is as relevant today as it was millennia ago. Integrating these lessons into our daily interactions can lead to personal growth, strengthened relationships, and a deeper connection with the divine.

I hope this reflection on the biblical perspectives of the tongue encourages you to consider your words carefully, nurturing a habit of speech that uplifts and edifies. As you step forward into your everyday conversations, may you be mindful of the power you hold in your words and be inspired to use them for positive change, following the guidance laid down in the timeless wisdom of the Bible.