In Spirit and in Truth

The book of Ephesians is set up in balance. On one side of the balance you have Ephesians chapters 1, 2, and 3, which is the doctrinal section of Ephesians, while on the other side of the balance you have chapters 4, 5, and 6, which is the practical section of Ephesians, how to live the doctrine of chapters 1, 2, and 3. God wants our lives to be in balance. Not only does he want us to know the doctrine, he also wants us to live it. He says so in the first verse of the practical section of Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy [axios] of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Worthy is the Greek word axios, which means appropriately and implies balance. Our English word axle comes from it. So to kick off the practical section of Ephesians here, God beseeches us, God lovingly implores us, God begs us to walk in balance, knowing the doctrine and also living it in practice. Those who know the word but don't live it are not walking appropriately, they are not walking in balance. If someone does not walk by the spirit, they are walking by the senses, which is inappropriate and off balance. It is no surprise then to find that churches made with hands don't teach their people how to walk by the spirit, but rather subject their people to doctrines aimed at improving their senses abilities. Such an unbalanced lifestyle can only end in guilt, condemnation, and defeat for we are not to walk by the senses. This isn't about polishing up the old man, it's about putting the disgusting smelly thing off and walking by the spirit despite him.

Romans 8:1,4
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Those who walk after the flesh, who walk by the senses, who attempt to improve their old man, thinking that's how you move the word and please God, will only experience either condemnation and defeat, or they will become religious assholes. Attempting to improve the old man is the way of the broken cisterns of religion.

Walking by the spirit isn't about acquiring education, mastering musical instruments, learning languages, or developing cultural, social and administrational skills, it is about developing the Christ in you and learning to walk by the spirit. Demonstrating God's power is what this is about, not trying to impress the world with your human abilities. Paul put it quite aptly in Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 2:4,5
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

That your faith [believing] should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Amos was a man of God, but he was a swineherd, you know, a Judean who fed pigs and who survived by eating figs, a socially demeaning fruit reserved for the poorest and lowliest of people. Amos had absolutely no social status whatsoever, but God was quite happy with him as he was. God loves us for who we are.

Amos 7:12-15
Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.

Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Never mind trying to impress anyone with your worldly abilities, what are you doing with the power of God? If you're walking by the spirit, then yes, perhaps an ability to play the guitar or sing might be useful to help you move the word, but without walking by the spirit the guitar and singing is of no value whatsoever, get it?

I never went to university, and I don't have a degree. Does that make me unworthy to teach the word? Be careful with your answer, because there is sufficient work and study in this class for 3 PhDs. Like God, I'm only interested in seeing people walk by the spirit no matter who they are, and you don't need any old man abilities for that. Being able to read is basically the only qualification you need to learn to walk by the spirit.

If you don't really think you're up to it, or don't think you're good enough to walk by the spirit, or perhaps think you just don't have what it takes, you need to change your thinking. You can't look at this from a senses evaluation, you have to learn to look at the Christ in you. Paul had no more spirit than any of us. We all have exactly the same amount of spirit he did, and we can all learn to energise it and demonstrate God's power like he did. Look at Ephesians again.

Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy [axios] of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Now be honest here. Do you think God would beseech us to do something that we were not able to do? Do you think God would implore us to do something of which we were incapable? Do you think God would beg us to do something that was beyond our power? No, of course not. Would you expect a one year old child to go out and get a job so he could pay rent? God isn't like that. He implores us to walk worthy, to walk in balance because it's something we can do. Even swineherds can do this thing. No one needs to be intelligent, or educated, or have a degree, or speak well, or have talent or good looks or money to live for God. Nothing wrong with that stuff, but that's not what it takes to move the word. God gave us the ability to walk worthy, to walk in balance, all we have to do is use what he gave us.

Ephesians 4:7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

When we are born again, we receive a gift, and the gift here in verse 7 is a gift to each one of us as individuals. It doesn't say but unto us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ; it says unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. What's the difference? If I give a gift to a group, it would be a gift for all of them together, one gift they all shared. But if I give a gift to each person in that group, they all get a gift that is distinct from everybody else's gift. If each gift is measured with the same measure, no one gets any more than anyone else and no one gets any less than anyone else. Furthermore, a gift isn't earned, it is given freely. We each receive this gift, this measure of the gift of Christ by grace.

Ephesians 2:4-9
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith [believing]; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

We have all been given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. So, did you get any more spirit than me? No, you did not. So why do some people think they know better than I do how I should live my life? You live your own life and quit sticking your snotty nose into mine unless I need reproof or correction. In this administration we all have spirit and we don't need patriarchs and overseers running our lives for us.

Ephesians 4:7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Did I get anymore spirit than you? No, I did not. We all got the same amount, we each were given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, which is the gift of holy spirit, that Christ in us. No one gets any more spirit than anyone else and no one gets any less spirit than anyone else. There is only one measure of the gift of Christ, and we all get the same measure, the same amount. You have spirit just as I do, so what right then do I have to try to be a patriarch and run your life for you? I have no right whatsoever. I have no interest whatsoever in running your life for you. You take responsibility for your own life, I'm not going to do it for you. The Age of Grace is not a patriarchal administration. We all have the spirit in full measure, and so we all have a responsibility to learn to walk by that spirit.

Trying to run a religious organisation, where a handful of men and women make all the decisions for everyone else is spiritual horseshit in this administration. God no longer dwells in temples made with hands. God knows everything, you don't, and I don't care how intelligent and educated and right you think you are. You cannot do God's job for him. What makes you think you can handle spiritual matters 4000 miles away by telephone? You don't know the first thing about what's going on in that area, but the home church leaders over there do. You think God is going to give you all the revelation for everyone? Horseshit, you err greatly not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. Our job as ministers in this administration is to teach people to take responsibility for their own lives, to teach them to walk by the spirit and go to God for their answers. That's the only way Christ can be head over all things to the church.

Churches, religious organisations, ministries and groups controlled and administered by councils of men are really something. We know from scripture that they have no more spirit than we do, that we have the same measure of the gift of Christ that they do, so what makes them think they know what's best for us? Why are they not instead teaching their people how to walk by the spirit with Christ as their head? I'll tell you why, it's because they love their comfortable lifestyles, the tithe money people send them, the power that comes with the job, and the glory they get from men. What they should be doing if they want to serve God is run a church in their homes and teach people how to walk by the spirit. They should get back out into life and start moving the word instead. We need home church leaders teaching the word and ministering, men and women with a heart to walk by the spirit, not a queue of aspiring patriarchs falling over themselves for the highest positions in man made temples. Run a church in your home and do something worthwhile with your life. The church in the home is very much God's plan for this administration of Grace.

Now we need to define our terms. The word church has come to mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but no modern understanding of this word comes close to its original biblical meaning. In order to understand the church in the home, we need to understand what the word church means. Remember, the bible is of no private interpretation, it is of no man's personal interpretation, and we are to understand it in light of what God intended when he wrote it. So the word church must be understood with the same sense, the same meaning as when God first used it in his word. To find out what God meant when he used the word church we must do a little study so we can rightly divide the bible here. Study is good!

2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [orthotomeō] the word of truth.

Rightly dividing is the Greek word orthotomeō, a compound word derived from orthos, right or straight, and temnō, to cut. Literally, it means to cut rightly. This word is used in ancient Greek literature with reference to diamond cutters.

A raw diamond is just a lump of rock and looks quite unremarkable. It has a dull, battered external surface often covered by a gummy, opaque skin. Cutting and polishing a diamond brings out its hidden beauty in dramatic fashion. The refractive index of a diamond is responsible for its brilliance, which is the amount of light reflected back out of the stone. A diamond's dispersive power is its ability to split white light into its component spectral colours. A diamond's fire is determined by how it's cut. When properly cut, a diamond acts as a prism and reflects light out in a brilliant flash of exquisite light. These flashes of spectral colours known as fire are only apparent after an orthotomeō right cutting of a diamond.

The word is like that. If you take the time to rightly divide the word - put in the effort to cut and polish it accurately and precisely - its light will fill your heart with a dazzling display of spiritual fire.

If we are going to enjoy a healthy spiritual lifestyle and manifest the power that God has freely given to us, we are going to have to study God's word in a planned, systematic fashion. Each of us is different and our daily schedules vary considerably. However, just as we wouldn't go without food for any length of time, we must ensure we keep our minds consistently well fed on proper mental food from the word. A healthy daily consistent diet is what we are after.

By the way, you don't need to spend years and years locked away in an attic, poring over scrolls and dusty text books before you start getting anywhere spiritually. This is not a scholarly thing, this is a dietary thing. So relax, you're not going to become some reclusive scribe studying ancient texts for the rest of your life. Quite the opposite, your existing life is going to blossom with vibrancy and adventure.

Rather than think scholar when you read the word study, think in terms of scheduling an hour into your day when you're going to sit down and munch on God's word. What would constitute a good diet? Perhaps breakfast, a snack at lunch time, and a decent evening meal would make for a reasonably healthy lifestyle. Fifteen minutes in the morning, fifteen minutes at lunch time, and half an hour in the evening should provide sufficient daily sustenance. Everyone is different, even with our eating habits, so figure out what works for you. What we are after is a healthy diet, so whatever works for you is right.

I think most would agree that a decent breakfast is a good way to start your day. So it is with God's word. First thing every morning you could read three chapters of the bible, starting from Genesis, and working all the way through. Start your day with God's word. It only takes a few minutes to read three chapters. You don't have to read fifty chapters, or study a whole scholarly text book, simply sit down and read three chapters of the bible for your breakfast. It might not sound like much, but I've read through the entire bible, cover to cover, over twenty times now just at breakfast time. You see, this isn't about stuffing all the knowledge of the whole bible into your head in a week, it's about diet - healthy, consistent, faithful daily diet. That's the key. And that's something anyone can do, something anyone can start right now.

Acts 17:10,11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews [Judeans].

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Like the believers in Berea, we simply search the scriptures daily, we read the scriptures every day to see whether these things are so. Those people in Berea had lives, they had jobs to go to, they had children to raise, they had social events to attend, leisure pursuits, they probably enjoyed going fishing, hill walking, playing musical instruments, and a thousand other things. Real people have real lives, and as with our food, we simply build a systematic, steady diet of God's word into our daily routine. Are we ever too busy to eat? If we are so busy that we can't eat properly and regularly, we will become ill. And so with the word of God. If we're too busy to build a daily diet of God's word into our lives, we will become ill with mental diseases like doubt, worry, anxiety, fear, frustration and other nasty stuff. If we enjoy a healthy daily diet of God's word, we will be healthy mentally, with a sound mind, prepared to take on any challenge in life that may present itself and defeat it.

Diet starts with breakfast, putting God first in your life. When you wake up, train your thoughts to go to God and thank him for your day, then grab your bible and have your breakfast. Lunch could be memorising a scripture. No, you don't have to memorise the whole bible, remember this is simply a dietary thing, a growing thing. If you maintain a healthy diet, you will eventually have scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 memorised, which can be a real help when you are tempted to fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

How long would it take to memorise this verse? A few seconds? I think many of us unconsciously feel that simply memorising one scripture is a waste of time, and that if we were going to start we should really memorise hundreds of them. That is just not so. That kind of thinking will keep you where you are and you will never get anywhere. Think diet. You don't need to eat a hundred pies in one meal to be full, one will do just fine. That's the great thing about this! This is something anyone can do. Just start the diet. Sure, after a few years you may have dozens of scriptures memorised, but you won't have any if you don't get your diet sorted out. Memorising one scripture a week is over 50 scriptures a year, which is over 500 scriptures in ten years. Memorise a scripture to start your week, and then spend the rest of the week running it over and over in your mind until it's burned in there permanently. A journey is taken one step at a time.

An evening meal is important. A good meal from God's word each day is important. You may have to schedule in half an hour, perhaps just after dinner, or before you go to bed. Perhaps study a session of this class every day until you know it so well you could teach it, or go to a home church where the word is rightly divided and taught accurately, where people teach you how to walk by the spirit. Back to 2 Timothy.

2 Timothy 2:15
Study [spoudazō] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Timothy is addressed to leadership, so these truths are specifically written to leadership, those who run a church in their home. New believers, babes in the word, wouldn't be required to spend so much time in study. This makes sense, because home church leaders have a responsibility to ensure that what they teach is accurate, timely, and nourishing. It is the parent's job to provide for the children. All enjoy the benefits of good food, but the cook is responsible to prepare the meals so they are as nourishing and tasty as possible. The home church leaders, those who teach God's word, are to study to rightly divide God's word so they can serve rightly divided truth that is tasty and nutritious. By the way, that does not mean digesting a DVD or cassette tape every week and then spoon feeding that garbage to the people God has entrusted to your care. You are to walk by the spirit, so do your job. God knows what is going on in your area spiritually and knows what needs to be taught, so learn to walk by the spirit and teach what God stirs in your heart. That is part of making Christ your head. That is how you move the word in your area.

The word study in 2 Timothy is the Greek word spoudazō, which means to put some effort and some urgency into it. Here is another place spoudazō is used, only this time it isn't translated study, it is translated diligence:

2 Timothy 4:21
Do thy diligence [spoudazō] to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

Travel in winter in the Middle East back in those days was not something anyone contemplated. Even travel in summer was dangerous as they had to travel on foot through country infested by robbers and wild animals. In winter, the dangers were compounded by the risk of blizzards and storms. In this verse, we can see then that to spoudazō to travel before winter would require haste and diligence to arrive before the bad weather hit. This is the urgency with which home church leaders are to expend energy in their study of God's word.

Now let's move into the subject of the church and enjoy some quality study time in God's word. What did the word church mean when it was written? If we know that, then we know what God meant when he used the word church in the bible. I can assure you, it meant something very different to what we understand by the word today.

The word church is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia, a compound word derived from ek, a primary preposition meaning out from, out from among, and kaleō, meaning to call, to bid, to call forth. Therefore, the literal translation of ekklēsia would be a calling out from among, or simply, a calling out, a calling forth.

There are three intriguing uses of ekklēsia in Acts 19. Paul was in Ephesus, where the great temple of Diana once stood long before it was drowned in a swamp and became the habitation of frogs. Back in bible times, the local jewellers made fortunes selling little silver shrines to Diana, but Paul was threatening their comfortable incomes by teaching the truth that God didn't dwell in temples made with hands. One of the local silversmiths, in an attempt to curtail Paul's activities, called a union meeting.

Acts 19:23-29
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

The whole city rushed into the amphitheatre, the centre of Ephesian social, judicial, and political life, dragging a couple of Paul's companions with them.

Acts 19:30-32
And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered [allowed] him not.

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly [ekklēsia - the church] was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Now isn't that something? Here in acts, a rioting mob is called a church, an ekklēsia. In the new testament, ekklēsia is used 116 times, where it is translated church or churches 113 times. Yet here in Acts 19, ekklēsia is translated three times as assembly, with two of those translations in reference to a mob. Why didn't the translators render ekklēsia here as church? I don't know, but I suspect it was because it didn't fit with their stupid theology. This mob, this stadium full of rioters, is called an ekklēsia, a church. This fits well with the original meaning and intent of the word in that this mob was called out to a specific place for a specific purpose. This illustrates the correct biblical meaning of the Greek word ekklēsia. So when God used this word ekklēsia in the bible, this is what he meant, a group of people called out for a specific purpose. This meaning embodies any group of people called together for any purpose, including a riot. Next time you see riots on television, with folks setting fires to cars and smashing shop windows, you are looking at a church, a group of people called out for a specific purpose.

Acts 19:33-41
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews [Judeans] putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

But when they knew that he was a Jew [Judean], all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannon be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly [ekklēsia].

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly [ekklēsia - church].

As we can clearly see, the word ekklēsia encompasses any group of people called out for any common purpose. In verse 39, a lawful assembly, a lawful court, a group of legal representatives called together to sort out a legal complaint is called an ekklēsia, a church. In verse 41, a confused and emotionally unstable mob is called an ekklēsia, a church. In studying the word church in the bible, it is of great importance that we remember that the proper meaning of ekklēsia is simply a calling together of a group of people for any purpose, and that it is used exclusively in reference to PEOPLE. It cannot be used to mean a church building, a religion, a ministry, or any ecclesiastical structure of any kind. No church or ministry can claim to be the church of God, the household of God, because ekklēsia cannot be used in that context. To do so is deceptive and manipulative because it is a wrong dividing of God's word.

The Roman Catholic church is not the church of God. The people within may be part of the church of God if they are born again, but the Roman Catholic church itself is just another temple made with hands. The Mormons, the Jehovahs, the Anglicans, the Baptists, and all the thousands of other churches around the world are not the church of God. The people within may be part of that church if they are born again, but those religions are all just temples made with hands. The Way International is not the church of God. The people within may be part of that church, but the ministry itself is just another temple made with hands, and God dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Back to Ephesians and walking in balance.

Ephesians 4:1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy [axios] of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Okay then, so this walking in balance, this walking worthy has nothing whatsoever to do with walking by the senses, it has everything to do with walking by the spirit, which is what the practical section of Ephesians is all about. In the practical section of Ephesians we are exhorted to endeavour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, not to endeavour to keep the unity of the ministry in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

A ministry or religious group is not the spirit, and to claim this verse teaches us that we are to build a unified ministry or group, claiming it is the church of God is a wrong dividing of the bible. No religious organisation can claim to be the church of God or the body of Christ. The body of Christ comprises disciples who walk by the spirit with Christ as their head, not any patriarchal system or any temple made with hands. Quite the contrary, endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit necessarily includes staying well clear of temples made with hands.

Ephesians teaches that we are to put off the old man and put on the new, that we are to walk in light, and that we are to walk circumspectly. It teaches that we are not to be drunk with wine but be filled with the spirit, that we are to sing spiritual songs, which is to sing in the spirit by singing in tongues, making melody in our hearts. It teaches us that we are to put on all the resources of God, having our loins girt about with truth, that we are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit. Ephesians, the greatest revelation ever given to man is all about disciples, the faithful in Christ walking by the spirit.

Walking by the spirit begins with speaking in tongues. The first occurrence of the outpouring of the gift of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost makes this abundantly clear.

Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with ~~the~~ Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion - holy spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They all spoke in tongues, not some of them, and it was the first thing they all did as soon as they were born again. That sets the standard for this administration, the Age of Grace. Everyone who receives the gift of holy spirit in this administration should speak in tongues right away. Speaking in tongues is the foundation to walking by the spirit. It is our spiritual breath. The first time Gentiles were born again, the first thing they did was speak in tongues.

Acts 10:45,46
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found believers who had not been taught about the gift of holy spirit. He taught them the word, and they all spoke in tongues. Not some of them, all of them, and they did it right away.

Acts 19:1-7
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion - holy spirit] since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion - holy spirit].

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion - holy spirit] came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.

Speaking in tongues is speaking the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Speaking in tongues is magnifying God.

Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

When you speak in tongues, it is your spirit speaking.

1 Corinthians 14:14
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Speaking in tongues, therefore, is worshipping God in spirit and in truth, and that's what God wants.

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

If you want to worship God, you must speak in tongues. There is no other way to do it. God isn't interested in our old man, our education, our family heritage, how well spoken we are, or whether or not we use a napkin before taking a sip of water at the dinner table, he's only interested in true worshippers who worship him in spirit and in truth. The Pharisees, the religious leaders were the ones concerned with education, etiquette, and social advancement.

God's way and the world's religions are two very different things. Take your pick, but choose wisely. God dwelleth not in temples made with hands, but devil spirits surely do. Never forget, it was the religious church leaders in Christ's day who had him murdered by the Romans. Stay away from patriarchs, and stay out of their devil spirit infested filthy churches. Instead, put your trust in God and learn to walk by the spirit for yourself.

Yes, you can do it. Paul was probably the most cultured, well bred, well connected, and educated man on the planet, who had been brought up with kings. Amos had been a swineherd, a man who fed pigs. I think that just about covers it for everyone, including you. It doesn't matter who you are or where you've come from, once you start walking by the spirit then everything else in your life will fall into place and God's spiritual abundance will become yours to enjoy.

Chapter 44 - God Dwelleth not in Temples made with Hands