Last month I was taking a course on the Business Model Generational Canvas. I am a firm believer that we are always learning, or at least should be. In the past I was one that ignored opportunities to learn. I began to settle, and then my hearing slowly dulled. I was in a trap. Taking my eyes off of Jesus, distancing myself from the head was not good. I began to settle. I began to ask the wrong questions, like “God will you do something?” The whole time he is asking me the same thing. I had lots to learn. Anyway that is probably a book waiting to take shape. Today I wanted to talk about the amazing nugget I discovered at the start of this course on business models. Have no fear, even if you have no interest in business models you will love this.

One of the statements made early on in class was, “an effective business model gives companies a common language.” They even referenced the tower of babel. This makes a lot of sense. Lack of communication seems to be at the root of all sorts of problems. If you don’t think so just ask your kids to paint your house, then go to work J. The more I thought about it the more I was drawn to the account in Genesis 11 where God confused their languages. The first verse says,

“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.”

Every time I run across a similar phrase or a repeat phrase in scripture I sit up and take notice. This is one of those times; “one language” and a “common speech.” If I were writing this sentence and followed my English professors fantastic rules for being a great writer then I would say, “Now the whole world had one language,” and leave it at that. It says the same thing, doesn’t it? Fewer words make better writing. It’s brings clarity, ask any editor. I don’t know what God was thinking J. Perhaps God means what He says. “One language” does not mean the same thing as “a common speech.” You can have one language and not have a common speech, can’t you. If you could observe my wife and I, we could demonstrate that truth over and over. But I’m sure you have talked to at least one other human being in your life, so you can bear witness to the same truth, I’m sure.

The whole world had one language and also understood each other. I began to think about not only speaking the same language but also actually understanding each other. I speak the same language as my wife but we have to work at understanding each other. I make my living helping people. I often teach classes and do training. I have learned the secret to successful training:

1. Tell them
2. Show them (examples)
3. Have them do it.

When I follow this simple formula people understand and learn the process. They can go home and share it with their spouse. If all I do is tell them I believe maybe 10-20% will understand. Amazon has over 240,000 books catalogued to help people communicate. In fact over 50 new communication books come out every day.

The point is it requires effort in order to understand each other and those that are best at it are the most successful.

I started to look at other verses that talked about language and common speech. I began hovering over Acts chapter 2. To refresh your memory, Jesus was crucified and rose to life 3 days later. He then told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-11 is the description of the day of Pentecost:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

 I was always taught and read this passage to mean that the disciples (and anyone baptized in the Holy Spirit) spoke in some foreign language. This meant that when a person spoke in tongues it actually was a real language somewhere on earth. It was just rarely a common foreign language, like French or Spanish, and usually was not recognizable as a language anyone of us had ever heard. In light of the Genesis account of God confusing the language what jumped out at me is verse 8. They all heard in their native language. You don’t suppose the Holy Spirit is giving them understanding so they hear but it may not be what is physically being spoken. It says, “… each of us hears then in our language.” It does not say the disciples each spoke in their language.

The nugget I have uncovered and am trying to share, or the point is, God restored His people’s ability to understand by giving us the Holy Spirit. In Genesis God said that if the people are able to communicate in a common language then nothing they imagine would be impossible for them. They were bent on evil and under the law of sin and death – not good. He has given us the mind of Christ and we know all things. We are set free from sin and death and live by the law of the Spirit of Life. This is in our spirit. If we live by faith and have trained ourselves to listen to our spirit over and above our senses then we find ourselves in direct communion with our Creator. That is exciting. It’s not only exciting but it opens up endless possibilities because now with a common language and nothing is impossible for those who believe.

Remember, step one God tells you through your spirit using His word. Step two He shows you His truths. You will see living examples of His truth. Step three He will have you do it. This is how He makes disciples. This is how His Kingdom comes and His will is done right here on earth as it is in Heaven!  I pray you have ears to hear what the Spirit says!