The Tongue of Angels
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter on September 18, 2024. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels…”
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge…”
“[I]f I have a faith that can move mountains…”
“If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast…”
Each of these hypotheticals from 1 Corinthians 13 not only seems like worthy goal, but in fact is a worthy goal.
Colossians 4:6 says we should speak beautifully and articulately: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 2:2-3 says we can and should pursue knowledge and understanding: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 says faith is the very substance of our life: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Psalm 82:3 tells us to prioritize the poor among us: “[U]phold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
These are good things! They are things to which we should aspire. They are even things that should mark and identify a follower of Jesus.
But they are not the end goal in and of themselves. It is so easy to miss this. It is so easy to observe articulate speech, or vast knowledge, or fervent faith, or abundant generosity and conclude it is an indication of a life yielded to Jesus. After all, those characteristics should be present as we follow Him!
But each of those conditional clauses in 1 Corinthians 13 is followed by a reminder about the value of these actions if accomplished in the absence of love:
“I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
“I am nothing.”
“I gain nothing.”
Friends, the infusion of love moves our actions from being worthless or even detrimental to a place where they carry the transcendent power of our heavenly Father!
So, this week, as you seek to lead a life of seasoned speech, growing knowledge, expanding faith, and abundant generosity, make sure it is motivated and fueled by genuine love. Further, when you encounter seemingly articulate, knowledgeable, fervent, and even generous acts around you, look for the infusion of love. Its absence makes even the tongue of angels a nuisance, but its presence is the greatest eternal gift of all!
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13).