Question on speaking in tongues

[MyangelDems]

might the tongues sound like babbling because a person might not be fully mature in the gift? Myself, I talk in tongues in private prayers sometimes, but mostly I find myself listening to other's speaking tongues in church and being able to understand them. For some reason I prefer the understanding to the actual talking. I don't say that i can understand EVERYONE who is speaking tongues, just quite a few of them. It comes to me like English. I think tongues is just a gift, you don't have to have it, God doesn't give it to everybody, but if you want it then pray and tell God about it.

 

[MyangelDems]

CORRECTION:
I said when others speak tongues it comes to me like english but the most accurate way of describing it is rather like when spanish isnt your native language but you know it, you find yourself translating in your head from spanish to english, you hear the word in spanish, then you translate it to english, dont know if this makes sense.

 

[All4Christ]

It sounds like you have the gift of interpretation? Correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[MyangelDems]

i"ve no idea? where would i find references for this in the bible? any help would be appreciated. I got up the nerve to approach one of the people after church who had been speaking in tongues about it, and they said that what I spoke of was exactly what she was praying about in tongues. Up until then I'd simply thought that people I heard were speaking English. I thought everyone heard them and it was well....normal?

 

[aus_koala]

Myangeldems, I agree with all4Christ that you have the Gift of Interpretation. Read 1 Corinthians 12:10,30, 1 Corinthians 14:13 and 1 Corinthians 14:26-28.

Personally I have only been able to interpret one other persons message at a prayer meeting. I found that it came to me in 'English' and originally I thought it was a message for everyone at the prayer meeting but after listening for a couple of minutes I realised it was actually a message for me. God was gracious enough for me to be able to understand the message without embarrassing me in front of the others at the prayer meeting. The person ho was speaking in tongues had no idea what they were actually saying or that they had delivered a message to me. As far as they were concerned they were praying to God in tongues but the reality was they were delivering a message from God. To me it is a moment that will stay in my mind forever and remind me of the power and graciousness of God.
If you have this gift then use it widely. Let God use this Gift through you and it will change the world (or at least some people......)

 

[Xnot A citizenX]

Is it just me or do most people/churches that believe in speaking in tounges in the "spiritual babbling" sense of the word come from an Apostolic or Penecostal church/background?  Because everyone that I have heard about doing it and everyone that I have heard being for it in my many studies has been Penecostal or Apostolic.  I mean they even make reference to speaking in tounges "spiritual babbling" in Fight Club...and they say Penecostal....I mean honestly is it just me?

 

[Andrew]

Is it just me or do most people/churches that believe in speaking in tounges in the "spiritual babbling" sense of the word come from an Apostolic or Penecostal church/background?

I think it is just you *L.
All the people I know who speak in tongues are neither Apostolic or Pentecostal -- just non-denom or inter-denom or charismatic )or whatever u might wanna call it.

but we dont refer to it as "spiritual babbling" just tongues or spiritual language. also, most of the tongues I've heard sound just like a language, ie not some babbling, so its odd to me that you refer to it as "babbling".

 

[Xnot A citizenX]

Ok well I guess everybody that I have talked to just happened to be Apostolic or Penecostal...or something steming from Penecostalism......but I find that odd...since it was about 100 people I have talked to about this or more....And I refer to it as babbling because when I have seen it...it sounds just like that babbling...not a language..it may sound like a language...but if it doesn't make sense it ends up being babble...I am a skeptic about this whole thing...now..for many reasons..one being my girlfriend doesn't even believe in it..and she went to a Holiness Penecostal Church...or as we like to call it the Penecostal Cult

 

[Andrew]

it may sound like a language...but if it doesn't make sense it ends up being babble.

so if i spoke Mandarin or Hokkien dialect to you and it doesnt make any sense to you does it mean I'm just babbling? And since it doesnt make any sense to you do you then write it off as not a genuine language? Who determines what's a language? God the giver of languages or man and his limited understanding?

 

[aus_koala]

Not a citizen,
my background is Catholic.

 

[Xnot A citizenX]

Main Entry: <B>lan·guage</B> <IMG height=11 src="http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif" width=16 border=0>
Pronunciation: <TT>'la[ng]-gwij, -wij</TT>
Function: <I>noun</I>
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from <I>langue </I>tongue, language, from Latin <I>lingua</I> -- more at TONGUE
Date: 14th century
<B>1 a</B> <B>:</B> the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community

That is the definition of language.&nbsp; And it doesn't fit.&nbsp; And I said most of the people I have met concerning this issure have come from a Penecostal or something stemming from Penecostal background.

 

[aus_koala]

I saw some scientific research that had been done on this about 3 years ago. Sorry I dont have any link, cannot even remember where I read it other than it was a secular scientific document as opposed to something put out by the church.

They examined people that were filmed talking in tongues as opposed to people making something up knowing in advance they were to be filmed.

However the upshot of it all was that the people that they had examined speaking in tongues by experts in linguistics came to the conclusion that the 'babble' had the form and structure of a language and for all intents and purposes it appeared to be language.

Scepticism is good, question everything.......

&nbsp;

 

[aus_koala]

Language in the Geddes and Grosset English dictionary published in 1999 has the meaning as :

human speech or the written symbols for speech; any means of communicating; a special set of symbols used for programming a computer; the speech of a particular nation, etc; the particular style of verbal expression characteristic of a person, group, profession, etc.


Lingual means:
of, or pronounced with, the tongue.

Linguistics means:
the science of language.


Seems to fit to me....... I think you should change dictionaries......

 

[Xnot A citizenX]

I do question every and anything.&nbsp; Because I find that Bible isn't very clear on the whole "babble" point, that being I can't find anything about the "babble" speaking in tounges.....just the other language speaking in tounges.&nbsp; I would be interested in seeing the study if you can find it that ough buh...

 

[aus_koala]

Now you have set me a challenge, I will see what I can do, I am curious now to remember exactly what it said. I am not a big fan of paraphrasing....

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

17th March 2003 at 09:21 PM Xnot A citizenX said this in Post #94

I do question every and anything.&nbsp; Because I find that Bible isn't very clear on the whole "babble" point, that being I can't find anything about the "babble" speaking in tounges.....just the other language speaking in tounges.&nbsp; I would be interested in seeing the study if you can find it that ough buh...

OK Xnot A citizenX,

I again question this statement.&nbsp; I gave you a list, a long list of several scripture ref to speaking in tongues, yet you still say it's not in the Bible.&nbsp;

http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?s=&amp;postid=713351#post713351

 

[JesusServant]

17th March 2003 at 08:21 PM Xnot A citizenX said this in Post #94

I do question every and anything.&nbsp; Because I find that Bible isn't very clear on the whole "babble" point, that being I can't find anything about the "babble" speaking in tounges.....just the other language speaking in tounges.&nbsp; I would be interested in seeing the study if you can find it that ough buh...

Pay attention here NotACitizen and everyone else that thinks that tongues by the Holy Spirit&nbsp;should or were&nbsp;always understood by the speaker and/or those around them...&nbsp; READ the highlighted scriptures here by Paul.&nbsp; PLEASE pay attention to what they say, not what they don't say....

(1 Corinthians 14:1) Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

(1 Corinthians 14:2) For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Hello?&nbsp; Read what that says in 14:2 over and over until it sinks in please.&nbsp; I'm tired of these same tongues debates from people that think just because they haven't experienced something themselves that it cannot be.

(1 Corinthians 14:3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

(1 Corinthians 14:4) He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

(1 Corinthians 14:5) Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

(1 Corinthians 14:6) But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

(1 Corinthians 14:7) Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

(1 Corinthians 14:8) For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?

(1 Corinthians 14:9) So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

(1 Corinthians 14:10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.

(1 Corinthians 14:11) If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

(1 Corinthians 14:12) So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

(1 Corinthians 14:13) Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

(1 Corinthians 14:14) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

You see, there is a "prayer language" for your soul.&nbsp; It is useful when you are in agony or crying out to God and there are no words left to say and/or you don't know what else to say to God but your soul is still crying out.&nbsp; This is a form of tongues that is healthy for your spirit and Paul would have it that all people pray in their own tongue.&nbsp; This is best useful in private when you're in your "prayer closet" and is not edifying to the Church, but it IS edifying to your own spirit.&nbsp; It is only edifying to the Church if you can interpret or&nbsp;someone else can interpret the message in a meeting of Church people.

(1 Corinthians 14:15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

(1 Corinthians 14:16) Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

(1 Corinthians 14:17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

(1 Corinthians 14:18) I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:

(1 Corinthians 14:19) howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

(1 Corinthians 14:20) Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

(1 Corinthians 14:21) In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 14:22) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

(1 Corinthians 14:23) If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

Sounds like what people who claim to be believers do even in these forums.&nbsp;

(1 Corinthians 14:24) But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

(1 Corinthians 14:25) the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

(1 Corinthians 14:26) What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

(1 Corinthians 14:27) If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:

(1 Corinthians 14:28) but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

(1 Corinthians 14:29) And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.

(1 Corinthians 14:30) But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

(1 Corinthians 14:31) For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;

(1 Corinthians 14:32) and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

(1 Corinthians 14:33) for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

(1 Corinthians 14:34) let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.

(1 Corinthians 14:35) And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

(1 Corinthians 14:36) What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

(1 Corinthians 14:37) If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 14:38) But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.


Maybe I should just let this go and let him who is ignorant remain ignorant about tongues, edification and prophecy.

(1 Corinthians 14:39) Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

(1 Corinthians 14:40) But let all things be done decently and in order.

I have found what you could not XNotACitizenX and showed it to you.&nbsp; Would you remain ignorant to the full understanding of tongues and the two uses of tongues or would you be willing to admit that you just haven't experienced them yet and spoke out of ignorance concerning the truth about tongues?&nbsp; I am not judging you for I too misjudged tongues and those who spoke in tongues and for what reasons tongues were used then and today.&nbsp; God bless.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Wow JesusServant,

Your list is even longer than mine. . .good job!

 

[JesusServant]

Thanks Quaffer. I went back and looked at your list after I posted that and you mentioned several other very valid Scriptures I didn't. I just wanted to show the entire chapter so that I can't be accused of taking it out of context. Paul explains why a church full of people speaking in their own tongue is useless to the church as a whole, but he assuredly backs up people speaking in unknown (babble as N.A.C. called it) tongues throughout 1st Cor. 14 and how it is edifying to their spirit own spirit to do so. In fact he wished that everyone spoke in tongues.

 

[Xnot A citizenX]

Please point out where they would be talking about something that is "babble" and not speaking in a known language...maybe I am blind and just don't see it....or maybe it isn't there.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.