God the Author of Order and Decency
By J. W. Lowe
GOD is the Author of order, refinement, and decency, but never of confusion, unseemly conduct, and mere noisy demonstration. The religion of Jesus Christ will never lead any person into fanaticism, but will lead one to become more sane and exemplary than he was before. The Holy Spirit will not lead one into such clownish actions and unintelligent speech as to excite mirth and hilarity on the part of others who witness it. The office of the Holy Spirit is to convict people of sin, and cause them to be sober-minded and thoughtful, and to sense the importance of living better lives than they have been living. The power of God does not manifest itself in mere excitement, noise, and senseless actions in general, but rather manifests itself in mental equilibrium; and it will lead its possessor to become an instrument to edification and good works. The gifts of the Spirit always have been given, and always will be given, for the upbuilding of the church. God never bestowed one of these gifts without a wise purpose in view. When people claim to have the gift of tongues, and it is a mere gibberish that nobody can understand, you can safely conclude that this manifestation is counterfeit. Even if one should speak in a tongue that he had never learned, and should be understood by another, that fact alone would not be sufficient to prove that the thing was of God. Spiritualist mediums can and do speak with tongues. The devil and his angels know every language that is spoken on this planet, and can undoubtedly impart that gift to any who yield themselves to their power. But here is the test: If those who speak in tongues speak not according to the "law and the testimony"—if they speak contrary to what the Bible says—it is certain that their gift is not from God, but proceeds from another source. Hence the importance of not being led astray by every wind of doctrine and delusive manifestation that presents itself. Test all by the word of God, and never allow yourself to accept anything that is not in perfect harmony with this Word.