Spiritual Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation in the Marketplace
The spiritual gifts of tongues and interpretation are the special abilities to spread the awareness of God’s glory by speaking to God, to one’s self, or to others in an unknown, heavenly language in a way that people are edified spiritually.
These two spiritual gifts often operate together.
Spiritual Gift Recognition Statements
- “I often speak to God in a language I have never learned.”
- “To strengthen myself spiritually, I speak to my spirit regularly in an unknown, heavenly language.”
- “I have spoken a message from God to others in an unknown, heavenly language that I or someone else interpreted.”
Marketplace Impact
Brian “Head” Welch was ranked No. 26 on Guitar World’s list of the “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time.”[i] His band, Korn, had sold more than 10 million albums and 35 million records as of 2012.[ii]
In 2005, Brian became a born-again Christian and subsequently left the band to focus on his relationship with Jesus, being a father, getting free from his severe drug addiction, and launching his solo music career. He rejoined Korn as a Christ-follower in 2013. Brian’s transition from using his influence and musical talents for selfish ambition and self-indulgence into using his influence and talents for the glory of God required far more than will power and good intentions.
In his memoir, Save Me from Myself, Brian explained that his spiritual gift and practice of speaking in tongues “was a big part of [his] deliverance.” He went on to say that the spiritual gift of tongues is “part of [his] life everyday now.” Despite being advised by his mother and brother to avoid talking about the spiritual gift of tongues in his book, he felt compelled to include it because it is a part of who God made him to be. It is one of his spiritual gifts God entrusted to him to overcome his drug addiction, accomplish things that will last in eternity, and spread the awareness of Jesus throughout the music industry and beyond. He explained,
Here is my opinion on speaking in tongues: If you want to have the most faith you can have on this earth, learn to pray in tongues. If you find it too weird and you prefer to live a good, quiet Christian life, don’t pray in tongues. It’s just that simple. It all comes down to personal choice, just like everything else in life. God will love you the same whether you pray in tongues or not.
In 2008, Brian became a representative of The Whosoevers, a group of influential musicians, artists, and athletes dedicated to sharing “hope, life, and love” through a worldwide movement centered on Jesus.
Biblical Insights
- 1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:1-14
[i] Eric Olsen, “Guitar World’s ‘100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time’” (February 1, 2004), http://blogcritics.org/guitar-worlds-100-greatest-metal-guitarists/.
[ii] Sonakshi Babbar, “Metal Mayhem: Korn to Raise Hell in Delhi,” HindustanTimes.com, (September 4, 2012), http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/metal-mayhem-korn-to-raise-hell-in-delhi/article1-924367.aspx.
Discussion: Do you have the spiritual gifts of tongues and interpretation? If so, please share how you use these spiritual gifts in a business setting. Can you think of any other marketplace Christians who use these spiritual gifts in a business setting? If so, please share his/her story to encourage other marketplace Christians who have these spiritual gifts.
