The Language of God

The Language of God

("Hearing" and understanding God's words)

A tablet from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets",
( http://www.terrific-tabs.com )
by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)

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See related topic from this website: Faith, Belief, and Believers (link)

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John 8: 43 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.... 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

When God's people (link) speak the "language of God" in the presence of individuals who do not "hear" and recognize "spiritual" words and thoughts.... that "language" is unintellgible, to the listeners. To them, the language "makes no sense". The use of spiritual language with those who do not comprehend such speech is analogous to the "lingo" of (say) a physicist, who speaks in the scientific "language" of physics. Those unschooled individuals who have no knowledge of the scientific world.... the "physical" universe.... "hear" the words that the physicist speaks; but the listeners are not able to comprehend what is being said. It is, to them, as if a foreign language is being uttered.... like a speaker babbling in an unintelligible "tongue".

Another analogous situation would be our "hearing" the "abracadabra" of a "computer-scientist" -- who speaks in his own recondite "lingo".... which some people have not yet learned.

Or.... if you and I attend a lecture, where the instructor is speaking Japanese -- a "language" that makes no sense to us -- we would "hear" the spoken sounds.... but we would have no hint of what was being discussed. We simply wouldn't "get the message".

Compare those examples of speaking in a "foreign tongue" with a similar situation in which a Godsperson (a "God's person") discusses a spiritual matter -- in the "language of the Spirit" (the "language of God").... with an individual who does not "hear" (hence, does not understand) the "words" of God. The result would be like the examples shown above.... the listener, who is not conversant in spiritual matters (that is, not yet spiritually "awakened"), would be physically able to "hear" the verbalized sounds of "spiritual" words -- but he would be unable to decipher the meaning of such "spiritual talk". Note the following Biblical reference -- on this very point:

I Corinthians 2: 12 (NRSV) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God -- so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we SPEAK of these things in WORDS not taught by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit -- interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. 14 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them -- and they are unable to understand them -- because they are spiritually discerned.

Same (Moffatt translation) 13 And this is what we discuss, using language taught by NO human wisdom -- but by the Spirit. We interpret what is spiritual, in SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE. 14 The unspiritual man rejects these truths of the Spirit of God (link). To him, they are "sheer folly". He cannot understand them -- and the reason is that they must be read with the spiritual eye. 15 The spiritual man, again, can read the meaning of everything -- and yet no one can read what he is.

Now....consider again the case of a Godsperson, who has not yet been "awakened" by God. When, or "if", an individual does become "awakened" to the truth of God, the "language of the Spirit" begins to "make sense". Then, the newly awakened person begins to "hear" and recognize and converse in the "foreign tongue" of (God's) spiritual language, which that person did not previously comprehend.... and that "awakened" individual may then indeed become "ecstatic", upon discovering that all the spiritual "stuff" ("babble") that had previously been unintelligible to him, does indeed now "make sense" -- and is understandable.... and "thrilling", and rewarding.

Consider the following scriptures that refer to the "language" of God. Read these out loud.... and find-out how well you "hear" the "language of God", as spoken in God's Book:

John 10: 3 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear His voice. He calls His own SHEEP (link) by name -- and leads them out. 4 When He has brought out all His own, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him, because they know His voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger; but they will run from him, because they do not know the voice (JNT note: the "language") of strangers.... 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also; and they will listen to my voice.... 26 You do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 MY sheep HEAR my voice. I know them -- and they follow me. (JNT Note: That is, "They understand God's 'language' -- and what God-Incarnate is saying.")

John 5: 24 (NRSV) (Jesus speaking) Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears (JNT note: "understands") my word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come under judgment -- but has passed from death to life. 25 "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead (JNT note: the spiritually "dead") will HEAR the voice of the Son of God; and those who HEAR, will live. (JNT note: Those who "hear the voice of the Son of God" also understand the "language" of God -- and they "perceive" the "language of God", in their own "language" -- or "tongue".)

Isaiah 66: 18 (NRSV) God speaking: For I know their works, and their thoughts; and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues -- and they shall come, and shall see my glory.

Mark 16: 17 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: And these signs will accompany those who believe -- by using my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues. (JNT note: "Those who believe"; i. e., those who have been given faith do indeed understand, and "speak" a new "tongue".... the words and actions and responses which express their understanding of the "language" of God.)

John 8: 42 (NRSV) Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God, and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but He sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.... 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

Acts 10: 45 (NRSV) The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out, even on the Gentiles, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues, and extolling God. (JNT note: As above, I consider this reference to "tongues" to mean that those who became awakened to the presence of "God the Holy Spirit", began to "speak" in the "tongue" [language] of their new grasp of the truth of God.)

Acts 19: 6 (NRSV) When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues -- and prophesied. (JNT note: they spoke among themselves, with exhilaration and "ecstasy", when they became aware of the presence of the God's "Spirit". They "felt" and "sensed" each other's expressions of joy -- even though they spoke in various native languages.)

Now..... in the scriptural reference that follows, hear what Paul says about the spiritual uselessness of an individual's personal "babble", when that individual is claiming to "speak in tongues" -- supposedly expressing a secret message that only the "babbler" can claim to understand.

1 Corinthians 14: 1 (NRSV) Pursue love, and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people, but to God; for nobody understands them -- since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people, for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church..... 6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible -- how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.... 11 If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker -- and the speaker a foreigner to me..... 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 19 ...... I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue..... 22 Tongues, then, are a sign -- not for believers -- but for unbelievers; while prophecy is not for unbelievers -- but for believers.

Now, here is what I have been saying. The "language" of God is unintelligible to those who have not received, from God, the gift of faith. Those who have been accepted, chosen, redeemed, called, "saved" -- by God -- hear and understand God's language. As Jesus (God-Incarnate) said in John 8, quoted above: "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me."

God's people live in different parts of our World. His people converse in the language of their native countries. But.... ALL of God's people also speak and understand God's language -- the "language" of spiritual truth; the language of "love", and friendship; the "language" of the Biblical messages. And, to repeat, all of God's people, wherever they live on this Earth, "speak" the same spiritual language which Godspeople from other lands sense, and "hear", and "feel", and understand -- and share with one another. (See link: God's Spiritual Nation.)

When God's individuals are awakened by God (when they become aware that they have "received the Holy Spirit", from God), then there may well be an unsuppressible joy, or "ecstasy".... that bubbles forth among those who are together at the moment. Then, even though their native "tongues" may differ, and their "denominations" may vary -- they all "understand" each other -- they "speak" in a common "tongue" -- the language of God.... that each of them now begins to perceive ("underatand").

My feeling is that this "explanation" of "speaking in tongues" is what is meant in the Biblical references to "tongues". And, I refer you now back to the Scripture from 1st Corinthians 14, quoted above, in which Paul expressed his disdain for senseless babbling ("speaking in tongues") which has no meaning or value.... to anyone.

(Of course, there will always be those who want to claim a mysterious "personal" spiritual gift from God, that enables them [only] to receive private "messages" from God -- messages that no one else hears or understands.... messages that come forth only in the babble of "tongues". I disagree strongly with those who claim that kind of "special" ability.... which no one else can decipher. I can only say that such claims have not yet become "convincing", to me. I remain satisfied with Paul's remarks in 1 Corinthians 14 (quoted above): "Tongues, then, are a sign -- not for believers, but for unbelievers.... while prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers.)

Now, one last Biblical reference, from Psalm 19. This scripture reminds me that the "voice" of God -- the "message" of God -- goes out to all the World; and that there is NO "speech or language" where the message of God's power and sovereignty is not heard -- and understood -- by God's accepted people ("God's People"-- see link).

Psalm 19: 1 (NIV) The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech, or language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth -- their words to the ends of the world.
12/26/06