Is speaking in tongues wrong?

[d0c markus]

I believe in the gift of tongues.
I also believe it is something to be careful with. I believe it is abused.

What some would call mindless babble is not babble at all. But that doesn't mean it's good either.
I believe speaking in tongues is related to shaman experiences. I need to read up on it more though.
I don't believe it is healthy to pray in a language you don't understand.
I do believe that there is power in spoken words that we underestimate.

1CO 14:6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1CO 14:13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

1CO 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.


i think tongues is extrememly abused at times.. My sister went to a pentecostal assembly and they tried to teach her to speak in tongues i was furious ..shes nto even christian and they baptised her to.. she called me and asked what it was all about.

This was an Assembly of God church too, some of my own. I guess there are tons of rumors about this pastor whose not even A/G. I hope something is done about him. My pastor also told me a bunch a people switched from this church to the one I am at. So i dunno, u gotta becareful

 

[LeeS]

Then I would suggest that those who feel they know how to do it better do it. . .instead of complaining about those who they feel are doing it wrong

 

[ydouxist]

[/QUOTE] My sister went to a pentecostal assembly and they tried to teach her to speak in tongues i was furious

..shes nto even christian and they baptised her to.. she called me and asked what it was all about.

Oh yeah Don't you hate those coaching sessions. That's scriptural.

 

[Soulwinner79]

I believe in speaking in tongues even though I don't have that gift.

 

[Jinn_Ku]

From what I have read I have this belief:

Tongues is a sign of the Holy Spirit, not the only sign.

It is often abuse because it is not often understood.

If you speak in tongues and there is non present to interperet, keep it to yourself. (of course you won't know until you speak aloud, but if noone interperets, keep quiet)

As a private gift from God to you it can bring the believer closer to God (or so I have heard. I do not have this gift.)

 

[Kellentia]

There's actually two different types of tongues.

1) The personal edification of tongues. That's between you and God only, not for public proclaimation. Anyone can receive it. All you have to do is ask God. Go to a room, shut the door, get down on your knees and pray. Ask God to baptise you in the Holy Spirit. Then, in faith, speak out whatever comes to your head. It may sound like garbage but press on. The devil does NOT want you to speak in tongues. He'll fill your head with all sorts of nonsense, saying that its not the real tongues, you're just speaking rubbish or he'll say that it is not the true tongues so you better stop. BUT, don't fall for his trap.


2) The Gift of tongues. This is for public proclamation and an interpreter is needed. Not all people have this gift.

Below, I'll post a brief outline on what my pastor preached on tongues. It is VERY important, esp in these times. If you haven't received it, I strongly urge you to ask God for it.

Okay, we're now living in very exciting times, where Jesus said there will be restoration. Acts 3: 20-21 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. 21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
God is restoring things to the Church. And when God restores, He restores more than before.

Psalms 84:11 the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Grace has came already => the grace message. It is the foundation. Now, the time has come for the glory to come. Speaking in tongues is the link from grace to glory.

There are two different types of tongues. People normally get this two mixed up.

1) First, there is the Gift of Tongues => From God to Man, for public exultation. It is normally accompanied by someone who can interprete.

2) Second, there is the private edification of tongues => from Man to God. Man praying to God.
1st Corinthians 1:14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

No one understands the prayer in tongues, so there is a proper time to speak in tongues. Btw, a note, look in the New Testament. There is always reference to 'the prayer'. This 'the prayer' refers to tongues, the personal edification of tongues. One example is in Acts. When Herod got hold of James, senior pastor of the local church, he killed him. When Herod saw that the Jews were happy, he took Peter as well. But the church woke up and prayed The Prayer, and Peter got supernaturally saved by the angel.

Thus, God cannot work unless someone in the world prays.

But have you ever encountered a time where you are at a lost, when you don't know how to pray at all? This is when the prayer of tongues come in. You are speaking in God's language, and the Holy Spirit is praying for you through you. Get what I mean? The Holy Spirit works TOGETHER with us. We cannot like do everything ourselves, or to the other extreme, leave everything to God. He is NOT our servant. So when we pray in tongues, we are praying with the Holy Spirit who helps us pray because we don't know what to pray at all. Our knowledge is very limited.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

What is law in the Old is spirit in the New. When you pray in tongues, you are praying God's good and perfect plan into your life.

Romans 8: 26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Oral Roberts had an open vision => a visitation from God. Jesus told him to tell churches to pray more in TONGUES.

We are made of 3 parts: Body, Soul and Spirit.
Body: our 'house'
Soul: Thoughts, feelings, emotions, will, mind
This is not the real you. Our soul needs to be renewed by God.
Spirit: This is the one that is borned again, where God dwells.

When we pray in normal language, our mind knows so we're praying with the mind. But when we pray in tongues, we're praying in the spirit!!!

There is so much more to share, but this I feel is the basic. So start praying in tongues!!! If you haven't received this gift, pray and ask God to baptise you with the Holy Spirit. Then believe and by faith, start to speak out. You need to take the first step and then the Holy Spirit will pour forth from you. You can pray in tongues while watching tv, cooking, etc coz you're not using your mind! Its God praying for you through you!!!!

Initially, you may feel uneasy and the devil would put thoughts, saying 'No, you're just talking garbage. Stop it, its making you look like a fool. You haven't received tongues yet.' But no, its a LIE. The devil does NOT want you to speak in tongues so he'll try to stop you. Like what he did to me. He deluded me into thinking that I was speaking rubbish so I just shelved it away for 8 years (I received it when I was 8). Its only now that I'm beginning to speak and praise God, I'm getting addicted to it =P

Also, statistics have proven that praying in tongues lowers stress levels and increases immunity system, but I'll not go into that.

Oh yes, your mind will 'fight' against you when you speak in tongues coz for once, your mind is not in control. Our mind is 'proud' as it wants to know everything, what's going on. But press on, and your mind will be slowly renewed by God.

Don't fear, what God has given us can only be good. Just pray and pray and pray as much as you can. And soon you'll see God's miracle =)

 

[Reader]

What has been covered thus far is fine. But I personally am in search of a new church and am trying to discern what I feel about speaking in tongues when it involves the church.

What does it mean if someone speaks in tongues in the church and there is no interpreter?

What about when the whole congregation speaks in tongues at one time when Paul specifically states that it shouldn't be doneby more than three at a time and even then in turn?

The problem I find is that many charismatic churches break many of the rules Paul sets guidelines for in 1 Corinthians about how we should act in the church, and choose to ignore the things that Paul says or try to read something into it. But yet many of the more conservative churches are stuck to not really being open to movement of the Holy Spirit at all. Does anyone have some insight into this?

By the way...this is my first post,​

Hi Everyone ​

 

[Angelgirlie]

I have learned from the Bible that the gift of tongues was only given to the apostles. To serve to confirm God's message. There is a passage in the Bible that talks about how speaking in tongues will cease, when the perfection comes. (Which is God's word). The Bible talks about how that gift will cease, because it will no longer be needed. So not only was it given just to the 12 apostles; when the apostles spoke in tongues it wasn't a special language. If you read the book of Acts closely, you will see that the apostles spoke in the different native "tongues" of those around them, or of the people who were present. People were astonished that they were speaking in different languages, that's why someone asked in amazement "Aren't these men all Galileans?" The apostles were speaking in various people's native tongues. It wasn't a special inaudible language. It's important to look at everything in context, to understand what is being said fully. Also as some charismatic churches believe "speaking in tongues" means you have the Holy Spirit. This has no biblical basis (remember 1. tongues were given to the 12 apostles only; and 2. It was simply speaking in another language -with no previous knowledge of it). But the Bible tells us, we receive the Holy Spirit at baptism. Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Hope this helps. Read over the book of Acts very carefully. This whole topic is clarified in that book. Thanks,
~Angelgirlie

 

[Angelgirlie]

I also want to add, those who are able to speak in tongues, should also be able to heal people by laying hands on them, be able to pick up snakes, and drink deadly poison without it harming them, as well as a host of other things that are listed in the Bible; as the apostles were able to do. This was a way how an apostle was shown to be a true apostle. He was able to do all these things. With the mention of "speaking in tongues" as a gift, those above were also listed in the same passage, in addition to others. It's funny how some people pick out one thing and conveniently forget the other things that are also mentioned. Just some food for thought.
~Angelgirlie

 

[d0c markus]

I also want to add, those who are able to speak in tongues, should also be able to heal people by laying hands on them, be able to pick up snakes, and drink deadly poison without it harming them, as well as a host of other things that are listed in the Bible; as the apostles were able to do. This was a way how an apostle was shown to be a true apostle. He was able to do all these things. With the mention of "speaking in tongues" as a gift, those above were also listed in the same passage, in addition to others. It's funny how some people pick out one thing and conveniently forget the other things that are also mentioned. Just some food for thought.
~Angelgirlie

can you show me, the snake and poison thing? i never heard that.

 

[d0c markus]

as for the gift only given to the apostles you are wrong, how'd ya miss it in a careful study?

AC 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

the context of the verse points to them having the gift of tongues.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Welcome to the forums

What has been covered thus far is fine. But I personally am in search of a new church and am trying to discern what I feel about speaking in tongues when it involves the church.

What does it mean if someone speaks in tongues in the church and there is no interpreter?

It means there are either no interperters present and the person who gave the tongue should have kept quiet. Or, there is some who is learning to interpret but they are too scared to give it, in which case, the one who gave the tongue should pray for the interpretation as well.

I would not be quick to jump on someone though and tell them they were out of order. If the same person does it time after time then there needs to be some instruction.

What about when the whole congregation speaks in tongues at one time when Paul specifically states that it shouldn't be doneby more than three at a time and even then in turn?

I do not believe Paul said that. There are two types of tongues. One is for personal communication between you and God. The other is for the building up of the congregation.

When everyone is lifting their voice up to the Lord in prayer and praise it is just that. . .prayer and praise. There is no need for interpretation. However, when one voice raises above the others and everyone but that person stops that needs to be interpreted.

The problem I find is that many charismatic churches break many of the rules Paul sets guidelines for in 1 Corinthians about how we should act in the church, and choose to ignore the things that Paul says or try to read something into it. But yet many of the more conservative churches are stuck to not really being open to movement of the Holy Spirit at all. Does anyone have some insight into this?

By the way...this is my first post,​

Hi Everyone ​

I think that every church probably is breaking some sort of rule, however, the way one interprets what Paul said may vary. We are told to rejoice and rejoice does not mean standing stoicly, refusing to raise our hands and/or clap or dance. Decently and in order is defined by each church leader according to the way he interprets what Paul says. In the church I go to it is decently and in order to dance and sing and shout but in other churches it is not. So if I go to a church that considers that out of order then if I do it, I am out of order in that church. But in my church, I am not.

I know a lot on this subject so feel free to ask anything.

 

[Reader]

But if I'm not mistaken we choose to think Paul says there are two types of speaking in tongues. But we don't know that for sure. I think we can say there is a difference between the way they are spoken of in Acts and in 1 Corinthians, but I see no reason to believe that what Paul discusses are more than one type of speaking in tongues. From my knowledge it seems this is a place where the theology is read into the verses.

From what Paul is saying it seems to me that there isn't really too much of a "well it's order in this church when they act this way and order in this church even if they act in a way that is disorderly to other churches." I haven't studied it that much but I think from Paul's personality that we know at worst he's down right stubborn and for him to approach too much of an idea of relativity when it comes to action within the church doesn't seem likely. His directions to the church were clear, concise and in many ways strict, how can we then make it relative?

Maybe at the same time, maybe what is done more often in charasmatic churches is closer to correct, I think that they have this amazing way of making it obvious that they are not like the rest of the world, which is what we are supposed to be. My point isn't an issue of what side of that topic is right but rather can we call both sides right?

 

[Angelgirlie]

I have learned from the Bible that the gift of tongues was only given to the apostles. To serve to confirm God's message. There is a passage in the Bible that talks about how speaking in tongues will cease, when the perfection comes. (Which is God's word). The Bible talks about how that gift will cease, because it will no longer be needed. So not only was it given just to the 12 apostles; when the apostles spoke in tongues it wasn't a special language. If you read the book of Acts closely, you will see that the apostles spoke in the different native "tongues" of those around them, or of the people who were present. People were astonished that they were speaking in different languages, that's why someone asked in amazement "Aren't these men all Galileans?" The apostles were speaking in various people's native tongues. It wasn't a special inaudible language. It's important to look at everything in context, to understand what is being said fully. Also as some charismatic churches believe "speaking in tongues" means you have the Holy Spirit. This has no biblical basis (remember 1. tongues were given to the 12 apostles only; and 2. It was simply speaking in another language -with no previous knowledge of it). But the Bible tells us, we receive the Holy Spirit at baptism. Acts 2:38 "Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Hope this helps. Read over the book of Acts very carefully. This whole topic is clarified in that book. Thanks,
~Angelgirlie

I'm the poster of this quote; I re-read this, and believe that I misspoke in that I could have been more clear on one part of it. Also, I have since acquired more knowledge since I wrote the response so I would like to modify part of the post. Modification is below:

Some charismatic churches believe "speaking in tongues" is evidence you have the Holy Spirit. This HAS biblical basis, as in Acts you can see the ability to speak tongues powered by the the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Bible indicates that the people could hear words spoken in their native language. It would be like someone with no knowledge of Swedish suddenly speaking fluent Swedish. That would be a miracle indeed. On my further examination it looks like there were cases of others in the Bible granted the ability to speak in tongues outside of the apostles. Though there are "tongues of angels" I'm not sure exactly what that means. I will offer though that it seems the Bible holds the position that tongues should be interpreted and understood for the edification of others. Also, that typically when angels spoke to people, it was in a way they could understand. I think it's important to see where we get the Holy Spirit, and be confident in God's word, that when we obey He will make good on His promise. Here are some verses in Acts, that I think are helpful in increasing understanding:
Acts 2:38-41: "38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."

 

[DawnStar]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Depends on the denomination. Tounges is not required for anything. Do I believe its real in todays world? Yes, but rarely heard/used. I mean technically the bible says if someone is speaking in tounges then its only legit if someone is also given the ability (through the Holy SDpirit) to interpret it. If no one is doing that then it may be fake.

I've been to plenty of churchs where well known "attention wanting" people do it all the time. Which is in my mind sinful and mocking it. You can't just speak jibberish and call it tounges. You are used as a vessel for the tounges. It speaks THROUGH you. You don't choose when or how.

And not to mention tounges back then was also considered speaking in different languages. As they say in todays world your "tongue". Example my wife speaks her "mother tongue" of tagalog (one of the philippines languages). The other tongue as said at the start (jibberish to most people) is rare.

 

[insurchoftruth]

The speaking in tongues, which people can understand, was given to the Apostles, in the book of Acts, to help them spread the Gospel, to different nationalities, and people from different countries.

The Holy Spirit chooses what words to gives us to speak, so he distributes to each one of us, as he wills, we can not choose what words to speak! But, the Holy Spirit will not move our mouth and makes us to speak in tongues. We choose to open our mouth and start speaking by faith. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in every born again believer. That is why, I believe that everybody can speak in tongues! Paul said in the Bible that he wishes all to speak in tongues! If he knew that only some people could speak in tongues but not others, he would not say that he wishes ALL christians to speak in tongues!

But that gift of speaking in tongues, is different from the gift of the speaking in tongues, for our own edification. The speaking in tongues in the the 1 Corinthians is about our own edification. Also, when we speak in tongues, we worship God and give him praise and thanks! One person can have a few different languages, given by the Holy Spirit, so he can speak in each different language, by will, by choice. That are language which are not understood by the human mind. I have met somebody years ago, to whom God has given to speak 8 different languages in tongues. You can see in the 1 Corinthians, that it clearly says that ONE person can be given DIFFERENT TYPES of languages, not just one language in tongues to speak!