How to speak in tongues

Disciple7723 · Mar 11, 2004

This question is for the christians that have spoke in tongues. How do you speak in tongues what should the atmosphere be like what does one do. How does it feel. Can it be done in your home when you are by yourself. Thank you.

Suzannah · Mar 11, 2004

I would be very careful with this. If it requires a "technique" then how can it be a "Gift" from God???
I will not come back and debate the issue with anyone but I urge you to be very careful with this. God will not mind i fyou protect yourself by testing the spirits and even refusing them if you are uncomfortable. Best wishes.

wonder111 · Mar 11, 2004

God knows what you need before you ask. Praying in the spirit is beyond the mind, our brains can't comprehend what is happening but the spirit knows. Praying in the spirit is great because sometimes 'we' will want to pray for something that is not right, the spirit will guide you through to a truthful prayer. In my experience, I was sort of lead into it, and I didn't even know what speaking in tongues was. It was pretty powerful and amazing, I thought consciously it was pretty strange, but the power and love that came with it was so strong, it leads you through.

Starcrystal · Mar 12, 2004

Hi Wonder!

I don't know if theres any "method" to speaking in tongues. If God annoints you, then thats his doing. We can seek the gifts (1 Corinthians 14) but its God that does the filling. I've seen abuses of this, including ministers telling people to "repeat what you hear the others saying."

Do you believe that? I've seen it! I think total submission to God by opening up to the fulness of His Spirit is how we can recieve any gift.

Also consider that speaking in tongues has been overemphasized in many churches, to the neglect of the other 8 spiritual gifts. Paul wrote to "covet" to prophesy. How about faith, healing, miracles, word of knowledge? All the gifts are available to those who know the baptism in the Holy Spirit. They all work of the same Spirit, and God gives them severally to everyone as he wills. (1 Cor 12:11) So we can have more than one gift.

The main thing is faith. You read it in the Word: you know Gods word is true and its alive, and you begin to apply that living Word by faith, asking God for the gift.

Yes, it can be done privately ~ it can be recieved privately, or in a fellowship. As far as what "feeling" ~ There's no proper way to describe it without doing dishonor to God. I guess sometimes it might feel like your'e not even in your surroundings, but in the presence of God, or enveloped by the Spirit....

wonder111 · Mar 12, 2004

Starcrystal said:
Yes, it can be done privately ~ it can be recieved privately, or in a fellowship. As far as what "feeling" ~ There's no proper way to describe it without doing dishonor to God. I guess sometimes it might feel like your'e not even in your surroundings, but in the presence of God, or enveloped by the Spirit....

That's exactly it, especially about not being able to describe it. I didn't know that some churches make people do it, I didn't think it was possible to make it happen. From my own experience, it only happened to me at a point when I needed it, I didn't make it happen

PottersClay · Mar 12, 2004

Great posts everyone.

I'd like to add that speaking in tongues, like every other spiritual gift, is not for us. Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of ministering to others. And though speaking in tongues does have the added benefit of edifying the one doing the praying, the gift should not be sought with that end in mind.

By all means, seek all the spiritual gifts, but when you do, do it only with others in mind and when you recieve them, you'll be much less likely to misuse them or misrepresent Jesus when you operate in them.

wonder111 · Mar 12, 2004

wonder111 · Mar 12, 2004

speaking in tongues, yes absolutely, but praying in tongues is edifying the one doing the praying.

that being said, i agree that others should always be in mind while doing it

Philippe2 · Mar 12, 2004

PottersClay,
I have nothing against speaking in tongues, but go and read 1Cor.12, the whole chapter. You will see it is a gift. You do not ask people for a gift as it is rude to do so. The same way, you do not force( and I am not saying you are ) the Holy Spirit into giving you a gift of the spirit. He ows you nothing, you owe Him everything.

Then read 1 Cor.13:1
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and I have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
That charity is how they translated it from ag-ah-pay, which means love feast. Some bibles even say love instead of charity. I think that is what you have to strive for love. Tell me do you love all you know?
May God give us all wisdom and discernment.
God Bless
Philippe

Starcrystal · Mar 12, 2004

Philippe2,
I have nothing against speaking in tongues, but go and read 1Cor.12, the whole chapter. You will see it is a gift. You do not ask people for a gift as it is rude to do so. The same way, you do not force( and I am not saying you are ) the Holy Spirit into giving you a gift of the spirit. He ows you nothing, you owe Him everything

To a point ~ And I'll say, we should seek the GIVER for the gifts He desires for us...

However, 1 Cor. 14:1 says "desire spiritual gifts." In 14:39 it says "Covet to prophesy." Covet is a pretty bold word. It is usually applied in a negative, but here it is positive. "Earnestly desire, want, to seek for and strive for."

Jesus said no one who asks for bread will be given a stone, and then, how much more will the father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. So the Holy Spirit is to be asked for and sought after.

The main point is to edify the body of Christ. If we abuse the gifts we are not doing Gods will. Thats why 1 Cor 13, the Love chapter is written as basis by which all gifts should be excercised.

Philippe2 · Mar 12, 2004

If I speak in tongues, will it save a soul? If I give love it will defenaetly save somebodies soul. I think we are here not only to get save, but also to get others save. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. Do that and God will give you the gifts you need. Desire the Holy Spirit not for what it can still give you, but because of what the Spirit has already given you.

Just love God. He will give you the gifts that you need. So many people have fallen into the occult, because they were looking for spiritual powers. Just be carefull. Listen to God voice, let He lead you. Do everything prayerfully. Go speak to your pastor. Do not ask these questions on the net, for you do not know who is going to answer them.

Once again, may GOD give us wisdom and discernment.
In His love
Phil

Mϋzikdϋde · Mar 12, 2004

Suzannah said:
I would be very careful with this. If it requires a "technique" then how can it be a "Gift" from God???
I will not come back and debate the issue with anyone but I urge you to be very careful with this. God will not mind i fyou protect yourself by testing the spirits and even refusing them if you are uncomfortable. Best wishes.

Absolutely. It happened to me once, not because I was trying to, or because I expected to, but because I needed to. I still don't know what the reason for it was and I'm not asking.
That was 20 years ago and it hasn't happened since.
Also, the Bible says that if you speak in tongues before a group of people, there will be an interpretor. That's one way to know if it's of the spirit.
Just from my own experience, If it doesn't feel right, or comfortable, question it. We're talking about the Holy Spirit; The Spirit will never lead you to feel uncomfortable with the gifts. Listen and God will speak. Then follow.

PottersClay · Mar 12, 2004

Philippe2 said:
PottersClay,
I have nothing against speaking in tongues, but go and read 1Cor.12, the whole chapter. You will see it is a gift. You do not ask people for a gift as it is rude to do so. The same way, you do not force( and I am not saying you are ) the Holy Spirit into giving you a gift of the spirit. He ows you nothing, you owe Him everything.

I'm a little puzzled at your response to what I said.

pottersclay said:
tongues, like every other spiritual gift, is not for us.

Just as a clarification, I was not saying tongues is not for us as in they're not for today. I was trying to say they arent given for us to use on ourselves.

pottersclay said:
tongues, like every other spiritual gift, is not for us. Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of ministering to others. And though speaking in tongues does have the added benefit of edifying the one doing the praying, the gift should not be sought with that end in mind.

By all means, seek all the spiritual gifts, but when you do, do it only with others in mind and when you recieve them, you'll be much less likely to misuse them or misrepresent Jesus when you operate in them.

I specifically said that tongues is a gift, and I stressed these gifts are not "ours". We are merely stewards of them, and they are not for us to use on ourselves. And they're definitely NOT so we can say "I have such and such gift"

My suggestion to ask for spiritual gifts is only in the context of ministering to God's people. In that context, we should desire to be able to operate in all spiritual gifts because they are a means that the Lord uses for demonstrating His love and His desire that we be saved and have an intimate relationship with Him. Why would our asking for gifts for that purpose displease the Holy Spirit?

Peace,
PottersClay

Starcrystal · Mar 12, 2004

Philippe2,
I speak in tongues, will it save a soul? If I give love it will defenaetly save somebodies soul. I think we are here not only to get save, but also to get others save. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. Do that and God will give you the gifts you need. Desire the Holy Spirit not for what it can still give you, but because of what the Spirit has already given you.

Just love God. He will give you the gifts that you need. So many people have fallen into the occult, because they were looking for spiritual powers. Just be carefull. Listen to God voice, let He lead you. Do everything prayerfully. Go speak to your pastor. Do not ask these questions on the net, for you do not know who is going to answer them.

Most of this is good. Tongues are normally for the edification of ones self unless the gift of interpretation accompanies it. The gift is for today, as are all the other gifts, but your'e right: seek God ~ He will give you the gifts He wants you to have.

Heinrich · Mar 13, 2004

Hi there!

Actually this topic is discussed again & again and then yet again in the Charismatic forum, so you might look around there for more info.

I'm not gonna explain doctrine about this here.

Yes I "pray" in tongues. Yes I can do this probably anywhere.. (but I don't)
I pray almost as much in tongues as in understanding. Sometimes my mind is so cloged up and confused or just void that the only sensible way is to pray in tongues.

How do you pray in tongues.. well first get baptised by the Holy Spirit. This happened to me when I asked for it and somebody laid hands on me. (I didn't start speaking in tongues immediately)
One often misconseption is that: You are in control. The Holy Spirit (or your spirit) can't force this. You must move your mouth and apply breath, your spirit will only give the "utterance".
Tongues is not gibberish & have been scientificly proven.

1 Cor 14:14

AmeriLovesJesus · Mar 16, 2004

Heinrich said:
Hi there!

Actually this topic is discussed again & again and then yet again in the Charismatic forum, so you might look around there for more info.

I'm not gonna explain doctrine about this here.

Yes I "pray" in tongues. Yes I can do this probably anywhere.. (but I don't)
I pray almost as much in tongues as in understanding. Sometimes my mind is so cloged up and confused or just void that the only sensible way is to pray in tongues.

How do you pray in tongues.. well first get baptised by the Holy Spirit. This happened to me when I asked for it and somebody laid hands on me. (I didn't start speaking in tongues immediately)
One often misconseption is that: You are in control. The Holy Spirit (or your spirit) can't force this. You must move your mouth and apply breath, your spirit will only give the "utterance".
Tongues is not gibberish & have been scientificly proven.

1 Cor 14:14

So it just happens on its own?...

Philippe2 · Mar 16, 2004

I used to speak in tongues. I was an alcoholic at that stage and fail to see how it is possible for such a person to have a gift of the spirit. You see it is actually very easy, the devil is the biggest copy cat of them all. He can also give you a gift that is almost the same.
I know that the gifts are for today, but be carefull. Make sure you know the spirit from which your gift came. Make sure that you want it to be from that spirit.

I hope you understand. I hope you have read the part where the bible says that if you have received a gift of the spirit and you then sin knowingly you will go to hell. Not even Jesus sacrifice can help you then.
I did not want to open a can of worms, but make sure you do things in Gods way. If you don't, well you have chosen your way. There is only two ways: Gods way and teh wrong way. I hope you choose the right one.

SuperBunny · Mar 16, 2004

Sing in the spirit. Pick a song that's christian, and not humming but singing with your own words. It's like being in your own world. Sing without the words with your own words. Then you will understand and can talk in the spirit. It clears the mind/emotions. Then make up your own songs with your own spiritual words. It helps with oppression. The type of songs that you feel joy and sing in english with God's promises.

SuperBunny · Mar 16, 2004

The last sentence I meant "pick songs that you feel joy, or those you make up, and ALSO sing in english with God's promises within the song.

Thwingly · Mar 17, 2004

Hello everyone,

I would not worry about speaking in tongues, after all, you must have an interpreter (and besides that I believe that the purpose of tongues was fulfilled in the first century A.D., as fulfillment of the prophecy by Isaiah (pretty sure it was Isaiah) quoted in 1 Corinthians 14. I have heard there is a "method" some people use, but I must warn you it does not work. I heard about a group of Christians who told one guy to say "Jesus is Lord" over and over again fast. He sputtered out a few words and they celebrated.

Here is my question for anyone who seeks to speak in tongues.

Shouldn't we be pursuing the greater, the more excellent way of love?

Sincerely,
Thwingly.

How to speak in tongues

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