“About the wonderful things God has done.”
Have you ever found yourself deep in conversation, only to walk away feeling even more confused than when you started?
Confusing conversations still occur between my husband and me, even after 32 years of marriage. Nothing is more frustrating than misunderstandings.
The gift of language is often underestimated. Throughout our day, we interact with others by instructing, consoling, encouraging, informing, and, most importantly, listening to them. Language enables us to navigate our daily lives and make progress more quickly than we could on our own.
Have you ever thought of language as a gift?
There is a story in the Old Testament where the people exploited the gift of language for their own gain, known as the Tower of Babel.
At one time, all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Genesis 11:1, 3-4, NLT)
The people desired fame and dominance, while fearing division. Consequently, God created multiple languages, leading the people to do the very thing they sought to avoid: scatter and settle throughout the world.
God gave us language to build up His kingdom, not to build our own kingdom.
Full Circle | Babel to Pentecost
In the New Testament God redeemed the misuse of language on the Day of Pentecost.
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages… speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” (Acts 2:1-8, 11, NLT)
Pentecost commissioned the use of language for building up God’s kingdom.
- At Babel, the scattering was a judgment act in response to their disobedience as they sought to build a dominant kingdom. At Pentecost, their obedience led to God’s blessing of the Holy Spirit, as He promised, equipping them to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone.
- The Jewish people were scattered throughout the world, but through hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ in their own language, they were spiritually united.
- The Holy Spirit empowered the first followers of Christ to use the gift of languages fto buildGod’s kingdom.
How to Use the Gift of Language
Whether we are bilingual or speak only one language, the purpose of language remains for us today. We are to build up the kingdom of God.
- “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9, NIV)
- “The Lord gives the command [to take Canaan]; The women who proclaim the good news are a great host (army).” (Psalm 61:11, AMP)
- “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15, NLT)
- “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)
- “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (Colossians 3:16, NLT)
- “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6, NIV)
Our voices are powerful instruments crafted to make a remarkable impact for the kingdom of God.
I pray that your voice may be an instrument of fairness, defending the poor and the needy. May your words be a blessing to God and others, filled with grace, always building up God’s Kingdom. As you build others up, may your heart be filled with joy. So be it, in Jesus’ name.
Meditate: God has given me the ability to empower others.
Reflect: Is there a time recently when you have used your voice to tear someone down? Ask God to forgive you, and ask if there is anything He wants you to do. Ask God to show you ways to use your voice for His purposes.
Deeper: (As you read through these additional verses, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom, and teach you more about how He wants you to use your voice.) Acts 2, James 3:1-13, Romans 10:14-15
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(Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation, NIV – New International Version, AMP – Amplified Version)
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