Many will tell you not to worry about what others think about you; live your life and only be concerned with what God thinks about you. This stated, many will immediately agree; since we have to be taught as children not to give in to peer pressure. However, peer pressure does not describe the thoughts of those outside of the church looking in. Thus when it comes to what the world thinks of the church there is a necessity to have our faith above reproach.
Paul was concerned with this too and wrote the Corinthian church to be mindful of what others think.
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 1 Corinthians 14:23 (NKJV)
The church must maintain an impeccable image before non-Christians. Judgment should begin in the house of God; yet the very organization which claims Jesus Christ as their savior and Lord is often rocked with scandal.
The world has watched the church have scandals, misconducts, church splits, and they have watched the church argue over many issues. Thus, if we do not take care of our own sin, how can we stand a city on a hill? How can we say be like us; follow us to salvation?
It is echoed here when teaching on the use of tongues in the church. If an unbeliever comes in and hears everyone talking in tongues won’t they say those in the church are crazy? Thus we must consider that speaking in tongues can work against the evangelism the church attempts. It become anti-evangelism and could be considered anti-Christ.
Paul wanted the Corinthians to understand the things they do, can cause many to not believe in the work of God in the church. Their actions can keep people from salvation.
Some of the greatest reasons for not going to church are because the church misbehaved. The misbehavior reinforced decisions not to join with the church. Thus there are many scarred people who will tell you to your face why they don’t go to church.
They will tell you the church is full of hypocrites! To which we all must agree. The church is full of sinners and because of this we must work hard to teach people the right way to live and enforce what a godly lifestyle is.
Now how can a godly lifestyle coexist, with people who act like crazy people?
Tongues are a gift given by God to break the language barrier, so others could hear the gospel in their own language. Yet it was being sought by the members of the Corinthian church because they wanted to do something that was mystical and it became a spiritual feat to speak in an unknown tongue and an expectation for church members.
Even today some churches teach that you are not filled with the Spirit if, you do not talk in tongues. They make people feel inferior until they do.
Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 (NKJV)
If you already speak a person's language, do you have to have some other language to get through to them? Of course not; so how do you get through to them? This is where the church needs true gifts from God.
Every person in the church should seek God for wisdom and knowledge about the people they meet. If they are seeking the person’s good, and not their own personal satisfaction, the Lord will let a person know what to say to deliver people from their problems. When you minister to them, then they will know that your Christianity is real.
I’m asked all the time why I believe the Bible. I believe in the Bible is truth; however, I tell people it is not the Bible which I have put my faith in. I have put my faith in a God who answers my prayers and speaks to my heart directing it. God never lets me down; people will let me down, but God never does. I believe the Bible because I see Gods work in my life and the Bible teaches me more about it.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)
Even in our church today, people will look at this writing of Paul and only see what they want to believe is true. They disregard the truth that Paul was frustrated at the Corinthian church for their speaking in tongues.
Now if Paul could be so frustrated, what about their own society and image outsiders saw? What was the city saying about the way their church was acting? Many times those in the church do themselves harm by the way they speak and act in front of the world.
A modern example of this is the boycott of Disneyland for its acceptance and celebrate of gay pride. When the church speaks out against them, the world only remembers the pastors and priest who have fallen into fornication. Can you see this becomes a contradiction, because we have the same sin of fornication inside the church?
We must remember the world does not see themselves as sinful. The church pointing out sin does not change the world's way of thinking; it only casts undue attention on the church. Thus when you add in all the other things the church does do to hurt their image, you can see barriers erected by their own actions.
Our sin puts a barrier between us and God; and then it puts a barrier between us and those who God wants to reach. So when many are speaking out and trying to show their spirituality, they should be seeking to be quiet and listen to God for understanding to deliver ourselves first and then our ministries will be notices like a city on a hill.
In many situations the church needs to shut their mouth, bow their heads and not look up until they have a true revelation from God.
Jesus would go away to a quit place and seek God, pray, and let the Father minister to Him before He would go to address people. So should the church; they should quit trying to be spiritual and let God open their eyes to truth, fill their hearts with love and compassion, and then God will give to them the directions to act.
Everyone in the church wants to be spiritual and thought of as spiritual. Yet spirituality comes through seeking God, not be seeking gifts.
