Hi Rev. Hyatt,
I AM an avid reader of your column, and let me say that your advice is more wholesome compared to some of the other advice columns I have read. I also understand that you are quite young, which I find even more impressive.
Here is my concern. I have a been a Christian for the past 5 years, and have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, well so I have been told. I have dedicated my life to God and the Church, and have ensured that I am living according to the prescriptions of the Bible. However, I am still not able to speak in tongues.
I decided to write to you, as a friend of mine advised me that you once wrote an article on the matter of tongues. I pray regularly, read my Bible, live a clean and holy life, well, to the best of my ability, and still, no tongues.
The individuals at my church treat me as if I am a heathen, and some have even commented that true Christians should speak in tongues. I see the evidence of the Spirit in my life, as I have several gifts of the Spirit, however, the members tend to be suspicious as they say I am not filled with the spirit.
Is something wrong with me or with them?
Sharlene
Dear Sharlene,
The concept of glossolalia, or speaking in tongues, has been a very controversial topic since the inception of the Church. Paul had to address the brethren in Corinth, because they seem to have been placing too much emphasis on this concept. In short, it was getting out of hand, and those with the gift thought they were more righteous than those without.
In the contemporary Church, many hold that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of being filled with the Spirit for all believers, and this I disagree with. Some get so obsessed that they are teaching their members tongues, which is not supported by Scripture. Whereas speaking in tongues may be the initial evidence for some, it cannot and has not been for all. Jesus did not speak in tongues when He received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, neither did the disciples in John's version of Pentecost, and there are countless other examples.
Additionally, what is the position as far as hearing impaired, speechless Church members are concerned? Is God biased against them, or are they included? There are several points which could be made for or against this concept; however, it is my belief that the Church has gone overboard.
Of much more importance than the speaking with other tongues, is the presence of the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of same. We have so many Church members who are speaking in all kinds of tongues, and are still unkind, uncaring, unrighteous, faithless and hopeless, just to name a few. What about the concept that they shall know we are Christians by our love? Yet another of the pegs of the Fruit of the Spirit, which many tongue speaking Christians fail to exhibit. Yet, we have others who have never spoken in tongues but display the various gifts and pegs of the fruit of the Spirit.
I believe that more than the speaking in tongues, of importance is the life lived by the individual. I am not discrediting the place of tongues in the Church, as I believe it plays a vital role. However, we need to stop condemning each other and start living as Christians. I will send a copy of the article I did on the subject matter, which goes into much more details on the issue.
Know God for yourself, and you will know whether or not you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Rev.
Help!, my nephew has a mean streak
Dear Rev. Hyatt,
Thank you for the way in which you have sought to assist the Jamaican public in dealing with their problems. Compared to some other advice columns I have seen, yours is quite superior. Do keep it up.
I find myself with a little challenge at this point in time. I have a nephew who has caused much concern to his parents and myself. He is 9 years old and very aggressive and abusive. He is always by himself doing something rude. For example, setting fires and even beating on the cat for fun. He does not keep any friends at all and is always fighting at school. He does no work and is very suspicious of everyone.
We have been seeing his guidance counsellor for about a year now, but have not seen any changes. What do you suggest we do?
Aunt
Dear Aunt,
What you have described to me is cause for much concern. Your nephew seems to be having a serious condition, which I will not seek to label at this point in time. He is, however, displaying the classic symptoms of a particular childhood psychological disorder.
I would suggest that you seek external help outside his school. This seems as if it may be a little too much for the counsellor at school, especially if s/he has not received a certain type of training. I suggest that you take him to either a child psychologist or a clinical psychologist for him to be assessed. Your nephew is in need of immediate attention, as not treating right away may cause the condition to worsen.
If you are not able to make contact with a suitable psychologist, feel free to send me a mail to that effect, and I would be happy to refer you to one. This is a very serious situation which should not be treated lightly.
Be bold and be strong.
Rev.
You may write to Rev. Stephen-Claude Hyatt at Let's Talk Life, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston, or email him at letstalklife@hotmail.com or mail to:letstalklife@hotmail.com
