PAUSE & PONDER: LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF THE KINGDOM
A Supplemental Reading in the series, Spiritual Gifts.
Ask yourself, "Can I recognize the difference between biblical Kingdom language and language used by spirituality outside of Christ?"
Language matters because words carry meaning, and meaning shapes how we understand spiritual experiences. As we study spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, we must learn to recognize the language Scripture uses to describe what comes from God, through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. Words such as door, gate, glory, Spirit, worship, and sound have biblical meaning and should not automatically be interpreted through modern spiritual language such as portal, frequency, vibration, or energy. The goal is not to fear words or experiences, but to become spiritually discerning enough to ask, “What does Scripture mean by this, and who is at the center?”
Scripture reminds us that words matter, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 and Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” John 6:63. As you continue through this series, pause and consider whether your understanding of spiritual gifts is being shaped by Kingdom language or by language borrowed from spirituality outside of Christ. Biblical spirituality does not teach us how to manipulate spiritual power; it teaches us how to know God, receive from God, walk by the Spirit, and remain centered in Christ.
It is important to understand the language of the Kingdom because the same words can be used to describe very different spiritual systems…
It is important to understand the language of the Kingdom because the same words can be used to describe very different spiritual systems, Scripture speaks of God as the source, Christ as the Door, and God's glory as His revealed presence, while spirituality outside of Christ can use similar ideas to describe access to spiritual realms through energy, consciousness, frequency, vibration, or portals. The distinction helps us recognize that biblical spirituality is relationship and submission to God, not learning a technique for accessing spiritual power. In Scripture, a gate or door is an appointed entrance, while a portal in modern/esoteric spirituality is commonly understood as an opening or means of access to another spiritual realm. Glory in Scripture is God's majesty, honor, and manifested presence; frequency/vibration in modern spiritual language commonly refers to an energetic or vibrational state believed to influence spiritual consciousness or access. Scripture does use sound, music, singing, praise, and continual worship, but it does not teach that a particular sound frequency opens spiritual portals. Therefore, knowing the language helps us distinguish what Scripture says God does from what spiritual systems outside of Christ claim humans can access or activate.
UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM
Part 1 and Part 2
