Gift of the Gab

[Bonhoffer]

Hi all. I am a new Christian (less than two months) and last night I just discovered that I can speak in tongues

Can someone give me advice about this by answering the following questions:

Why do people speak in tongues?

What are the benefits?

What are the down points?

What language is it?

How can you understand what you are saying? (if indeed you can)

Can you develop this gift?

 

[Godz Marine]

Hi all. I am a new Christian (less than two months) and last night I just discovered that I can speak in tongues

Can someone give me advice about this by answering the following questions:

Why do people speak in tongues?

As we read in Acts 1:5 Jesus tells the disciples and those with them that John trult baptized with water but not many dayd hence they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then in Acts 1:8 Jesus proclaims that when the Holy Spirit has come upon them they shall receive power. Now in Acts chapter 2 that when the Holy Ghost comes upon them as the Lord had proclaimed they speak in tongues. Tongues have been given as a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What are the benefits

Pauls tells us in I Corinthians 14:4 that when we speak in tongues we edify ourselves. Jude 20 says we build up our most holy faith by praying in the Spirit.

What are the down points?

Pauls warns us against speaking in tongues in the church setting. Because we are speaking to God when speaking in tongues there is no natural understanding to be gleaned. There must be interpretation of tongues for there to be an edification of the church. Otherwise Paul encourages us to speak in tongues as often as we can. He said he spoke in tongues more than all the church in Corinth. I do not see this as a boasting on his part but an admonition to the church of Corinth to pray in the Spirit more than they did.

What language is it?

Basicaly it is a Spiritual language. I do know at times however others who have heard someone speaking in tongues have remaked that they understood what was being said for the tongue was in their native language. God will do this as a sign or to answer someone's prayer. We see the evidence of God using it for a sign in Acts 2.

How can you understand what you are saying? (if indeed you can)

This is called the interpretation. If you give a tongue in church you should pray also for the interpretation. There are times where when you pray for someone God may give you the interpretation so that the onew whom you prayed for can also understand. Then again there may be timews where you ask for the interpretation God may remain still for you may not need to know it or in the church setting He may be prompting someone else to step out in faith and give it.

Can you develop this gift?

Sure. Just as with our faith we can choose to use it, to exercise it and it will grow. Or we can choose not to use it and it will become and remain weak and when we reach a time where we may really need it it will not be of much use. The more we use and exercise it the less we have to think about using it. Kind like learning to walk for the first time. One has to purpose each and every step. After time walking isn't given much thought, we just do it.

I hope this helps!

Love, Peace, and Grace!

Greg

 

[Bonhoffer]

Thanks!!

 

[Theophilus7]

A good response, Greg (Godz Marine).

Bonhoffer, you may find it worth your while to look at some of the Praying in the Spirit chapters by Robert Graves on the Pneuma Foundation website.

 

[Lottedah]

Tongues are awesome-its like weightlifting your spirit man
For instance one day I was praying in tongues ALL day-hehe because I had nothing else to do. And I was literally buzzing with the anointing.. when I talked to my friend anne, she told me God was so strong on me from my constant praying she was praying in the spirit in her head while she talked to me and her wrists were healed being in my presence.
God is so cool..
Tongues are for warfare-I use them in deliverance and demons quiver with fear-Praise God.. they are for building up your spirit/anointing.. they praise and worship God.. and they say what you cannot=a perfect prayer.
I love them and advise everyone to get them it helps their walk and ministry!

 

[Hobo No More]

Yeah Tongues are cool. I prayed in tongues today and it was a different language than what I normally speak. I think I ended up speaking two different languages but it definitely does edify us and I believe it strengthens our Spirit.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Tongues are awesome-its like weightlifting your spirit man
For instance one day I was praying in tongues ALL day-hehe because I had nothing else to do. And I was literally buzzing with the anointing.. when I talked to my friend anne, she told me God was so strong on me from my constant praying she was praying in the spirit in her head while she talked to me and her wrists were healed being in my presence.
God is so cool..

I agree. There have been several times in my own life where a significant annointing came after praying in tongues for seveal hours.

 

[Heinrich]

I'm really happy for you BonHoffer! And don't let anybody tell you all the lies about tongues that walks around. Continue to praise God in both your understanding and tongues!

Nice reply Marine!

 

[Andrew]

Bonhoffer,

we discussed the benefits of tongues some time ago here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t61343&highlight=Benefits

There are no downsides to tongues.

 

[Svt4Him]

Can someone give me advice about this by answering the following questions:

Why do people speak in tongues?- as said, to edify ourself, or, in a church setting, to edify others with a translation

What are the benefits?- edification

What are the down points?- if you do it under water, you'll probably swallow some

What language is it?- unknown. A study was done, with those who believed, and those who made it up, they were recorded and brought to linguists. Of the ones who believed, I heard 30% were known languages, 70% were unknown, but still languages, and the ones making it up were nothing.

How can you understand what you are saying? (if indeed you can)- not usually. In a church setting you should, if you give it as a word and no one translates.

Can you develop this gift?-Yes, use it.

I should also add, when in a church setting, you may use tongues, as long as it's directed to God. This is why some worship songs may use them, as the focus is not on the people. But when it's directed to the people, it is useless without a translation. Now some may say the focus is always on God, but if that was so, why would the preacher preach to the people?