Diversities of Tongues: The Foundational Operation
Scripture: Corinthians 12:28
Now that we’ve looked in a general sense at the eight operations of God in First Corinthians 12:28, let’s focus on this eighth and final operation, the diversities of tongues. I believe diversities of tongues is listed last in this scripture because it is the foundational operation. In the construction of a building, a foundation is the slab built to support the building from underneath. If the foundation is weak, the structure won’t stand the test of time nor weather the storms that beat against it. In the same
way, diversities of tongues is the operation that the other seven rest upon. Why do I say that? Well, think about this very carefully: Where is the dividing line between Christians who believe in the power of God and the gifts of the Spirit and those who do not? I can tell you exactly where it is. The dividing line between those who enjoy the power of God and those who don’t is in the eighth operation of God,
the diversities of tongues. Have you ever noticed that people who don’t speak with other tongues usually don’t operate in the other gifts of the Spirit either? On the other hand, people who do speak
with tongues are more apt to operate in spiritual gifts. The more you study the matter,
the more obvious it becomes: Speaking with other tongues is the dividing line. In fact,
within many churches that don’t recognize tongues as a manifestation for this day and
age, even the preaching of salvation has been lost.
PRAYER FOCUS
Not only is diversities of tongues the dividing line, but it is actually the entry level
to the operation of the spiritual gifts that empower the various offices and
callings in the Body of Christ. It is the switch we are looking for that pulls the
operation we are called to out of the natural realm into the supernatural power
of God.