speaking in tongues

[artybloke]

With all due respect, your spiritual leader is talking out of his posterior.

 

[Bryan Lim]

why?

 

[seangoh]

Not all can speak in tongues? weird, my spiritual leader says everybody can.

Can you check with your spiritual leader on the texts i mentioned because i think it's very clear. You may have heard wrongly or what. Also, if we can all have the gift of tongues, then you have to go with the idea that we all can have the gift of prophecy or healing which isn't true because the Holy Spirit exercises his choice to bestow different gifts to men to build up the church.

 

[Bryan Lim]

well, according to one of my pastor, the verses in 1 Cor were written to people in a different situation. she says all of us can speak in tongues. this is WEIRD.

 

[ahab]

IMO we might all speak in tongues, no-one should feel any discouragement if they dont.

“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues” 1 Corinthians 14:5,

“So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues” 1 Corinthians 14:23

 

[mlmum]

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

 

[seangoh]

Bryan, could you ask her to give you some biblical evidence. Also, ask her if prophecy,gift of healing is given to everyone too since they are listed together with tongues.

 

[bliz]

Bryan -

Check out this chapter.
____________________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 12

1 Now concerning (1) spiritual gifts, brethren, (2) I do not want you to be unaware.
2 (3) You know that when you were pagans, you were (4) led astray to the (5) mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking (6) by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is (7) accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is (8) Lord," except (9) by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are (10) varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same (11) God who works all things in all persons.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit (12) for the common good.
8 For to one is given the word of (13) wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of (14) knowledge according to the same Spirit;
9 to another (15) faith by the same Spirit, and to another (16) gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 and to another the effecting of (17) miracles, and to another (18) prophecy, and to another the (19) distinguishing of spirits, to another various (20) kinds of tongues, and to another the (21) interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (22) distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
12 For even (23) as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, (24) so also is Christ.
13 For (25) by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether (26) Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to (27) drink of one Spirit.
14 For (28) the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But now God has (29) placed the members, each one of them, in the body, (30) just as He desired.
19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?
20 But now (31) there are many members, but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable,
24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,
25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are (32) Christ's body, and (33) individually members of it.
28 And God has (34) appointed in (35) the church, first (36) apostles, second (37) prophets, third (38) teachers, then (39) miracles, then (40) gifts of healings, helps, (41) administrations, various (42) kinds of tongues.
29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?
30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not (43) interpret, do they?
31 But (44) earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

Please note, Bryan, that when it discusses all the gifts, including the gift of tongues, it says "...and to another...". Paul did not write "... and to all Christians, the gift of tongues." or "...to all spirit filled Christians, the gift of tongues." And at the very end, I underlined the sentence, "All do not speak with tongues, do they?"

No gift is for everyone. I thought of you when I read about the ear saying "Becasue I am not an eye, I am not part of this body." That's almost exactly what you said about feeling like you do not belong in the Body becasue you do not have this particular gift!

I mean no disrespect to your spiritual leader, but what you have been told is clearly discussed in Scripture and just not so. I'm not suggesting a major confrontation - I know that many churches stress speaking in tongues and teach that it is a gift of all Spirit filled Christians. But you can see where this teaching has brought you - questioning your place in the Kingdom!

What gift(s) have you been given?

 

[cat has felt the light!]

some do teach all can speak in tongues, but I don't agree!
C@ xx

 

[12volt_man]

I don't get it. I have been a Christian for a few months already and still I can't speak in tongues, why? I went to Revival Service just now and everybody was speaking in tongues during worship. I was jealous and at the same time angry at myself for my failure to speak in tongues. what did i do wrong? Some pastors tried to baptize me with the Holy Spirit but still I can't speak in tongues. Aarrgghh!!!
Sometimes, because i can't speak in tongues, I don't feel complete as a Christian and it makes me feel small. And sometimes, i feel that I am not suppose to be a Christian at all in the first place. I Am very frustrated, very very frustrated.

If you're a Christian, then you've already got the Holy Spirit. Don't let anybody try to convince you that you don't or make you feel bad because what God has chosen for you is different than what He may have chosen for them.

As for speaking in tongues, that simply may not be one of your gifts. You need to calm down about that. You can't force tongues and you can't "fake it 'til you make it". You either do or you don't.

If God wants you to speak in tongues, you'll speak in tongues. Until then, enjoy the gifts God has given you instead of worrying about the gifts He hasn't given you.

 

[12volt_man]

Well, I have not spoken in tongues before (I may be 14, but I have spent some time at it). But I have a question/comment. Maybe the reason why we can't do it is because we're seeking the experience and not God himself. I know, personally, that when I do come before God that there is at times a doubt that my motives are impure, and that I'm not actually there to praise him but instead to experience his glory. To me, I think that this is wrong. I only say this to you because you said that tongues are making you jealous, mad, and frustrated. It just seems like you're in my same boat...that both of us aren't really seeking God. But I'm going to do something different tonight. I'm going to tell God about my doubts of myself and my motives. And just lift them up to him. Maybe admitting these thoughts alone will draw me closer to him. But anyways, good luck!

With an answer like that, you're only 14??? Wow, that's more wisdom than a lot of people have at twice your age.

 

[12volt_man]

Okay, I have to ask, and I don't mean to offend, but it sounds like you are telling people to make up speaking in tongues, and in fact that is what you do....

When I was a new Christian, I was kind of in the same situation as Bryan. I wanted to speak in tongues so badly but that wasn't a gift that God had given me. I was embarrassed because all of the really cool spiritual people (or so I thought) spoke in tongues and I wanted my slice of the pie.

I used to make things up and just speak gibberish kind of in the same way that my brother would push my car down the hill and I'd have to pop the clutch to get it started. I was told that at some point, the Holy Spirit would kick in.

On the one hand, I know it was really disrespectful to God but on the other, I can't help but look back and laugh at how foolish I was.

 

[Bryan Lim]

If you're a Christian, then you've already got the Holy Spirit. Don't let anybody try to convince you that you don't or make you feel bad because what God has chosen for you is different than what He may have chosen for them.

As for speaking in tongues, that simply may not be one of your gifts. You need to calm down about that. You can't force tongues and you can't "fake it 'til you make it". You either do or you don't.

If God wants you to speak in tongues, you'll speak in tongues. Until then, enjoy the gifts God has given you instead of worrying about the gifts He hasn't given you.

Voltman, problem is i dunno what gift the Holy Spirit has given me. If i can't find out, how am i gonna use it? Does anybody know how to help me identify what gift the Holy Spirit given me??????

 

[12volt_man]

Voltman, problem is i dunno what gift the Holy Spirit has given me. If i can't find out, how am i gonna use it?

But my point is that that's not a bad thing, it's just where you are right now.

God gives each of us gifts, even if they're not the ones we expect. He'll reveal them to you when it's time.

What you've got to remember is that the Bible compares walking with Christ to a marathon, never a sprint. It's something that unfolds over a lifetime, not something that's revealed to you all at once.

I know it's not what you want to hear but this is what the Bible means when it tells us to wait on the Lord.

Right now, stop worrying about it, stop obsessing over it and stop letting people make you feel bad because your walk with Christ is different than their walk with Christ.

It may sound like a zen thing and I know I'm going to regret this choice of words but just be in the moment and let the things that will come come as they will. They will.

May I make a suggestion? Go see if you can find a copy of Merton's "Contemplative Prayer". It's a good book and I would recommend it to anyone in your situation. It really helped me learn to stop and wait on God and enjoy His presence.

 

[Sketcher]

well, according to one of my pastor, the verses in 1 Cor were written to people in a different situation. she says all of us can speak in tongues. this is WEIRD.

She is wrong. Between my experiences with Charismatic Christians and what I've heard about their churches, those verses match up very well with what is happening. People can abuse Scripture by taking it out of context, but others choose to ignore it by claiming it is out of context. The Corinthian church was as charismatic as any, and had many of the same problems that all churches today have in the modern world.

Why else would the love chapter be put where it is? I hear about people going foreward to get healed, and they don't get healed, and the "healer" blames it on the afflicted person, saying it is their fault for not having enough faith. "If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor 13:2b). That response is neither patient nor kind, but it is definitely easily angered, rude, and may be self-seeking.

But anyway . . .

Voltman, problem is i dunno what gift the Holy Spirit has given me. If i can't find out, how am i gonna use it? Does anybody know how to help me identify what gift the Holy Spirit given me??????

Like Voltman said, you've got time to discover them. You're only a few months old in the Lord, you've got a lot deal with. Read your Bible and spend time in prayer with God. Ask Him to help you get to really know Him. On the side, you can ask Him to show you what your spiritual gift or gifts are. He will show you when it is time, and He will be developing them inside of you with the rest of you. Just play ball with what He's doing in your life right now.

 

[artybloke]

Voltman, problem is i dunno what gift the Holy Spirit has given me. If i can't find out, how am i gonna use it? Does anybody know how to help me identify what gift the Holy Spirit given me??????

This is the thing: it's not about "gifts". It's not about big spectacular amazing experiences. Christianity is about following Christ, not standing on your head, performing magic tricks will doves, speaking in tongues, prophecy, flying through the air, healing the sick or buying a new Volvo with the proceeds from your "ministry."

The Holy Spirit's greatest gift to you is the knowledge that Christ loves you, and the awareness that Christ wants you to love the people and the world he came to save. All the rest is just frippery. The Christian church managed centuries without it: for 1800 years, and when the latest craze for sensation dies down, will manage fine without it for another 1800 years.

Christianity is not about sensations: it's about taking up your cross daily and following in the footsteps of the Master. Don't let the sensationalists divert you from that.

 

[Bryan Lim]

You know, sometimes I think that I don't have the Holy Spirit in me in the first place (even though I asked for it many many many times). Is it possible for some reason, God does not want to give it to me????

 

[Lilly of the Valley]

Continue to have faith and seek the Lord.

 

[Iosias]

I don't get it. I have been a Christian for a few months already and still I can't speak in tongues, why? I went to Revival Service just now and everybody was speaking in tongues during worship. I was jealous and at the same time angry at myself for my failure to speak in tongues. what did i do wrong? Some pastors tried to baptize me with the Holy Spirit but still I can't speak in tongues. Aarrgghh!!!
Sometimes, because i can't speak in tongues, I don't feel complete as a Christian and it makes me feel small. And sometimes, i feel that I am not suppose to be a Christian at all in the first place. I Am very frustrated, very very frustrated.

Currently angry, sad and mad,
Bryan Lim

The first thing to do is to calm down! The next thing to do is read the rest of this post... After His ressurection Our LORD issued a commission saying "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16: 15-18) This passage is spoken to the disciples ONLY! The passage continues..."So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

From this passage we know that the gift of tongues was a SIGN-gift which confirmed the word they spoke...i.e. it was a sign that shewed the authority of their message. Acts two charts their progress and in Hebrews 2:3-4 we are told "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" Again the same point is made...the gift of tongues was just one sign which confirmed the message they carried.

The SIGN-gifts were time specific. There are only three periods where miracles in this sense of the word have occurred and all three were at periods where God was revealling a new message and this is one of them!

So when the period of revelation is over i.e. at the end of Acts so the gift ceases. The reason you cannot speak in tongues is therefore very simple...the gift of tongues is not for today!

I hope this has helped you!

Regards,
Richard

 

[seangoh]

Voltman, problem is i dunno what gift the Holy Spirit has given me. If i can't find out, how am i gonna use it? Does anybody know how to help me identify what gift the Holy Spirit given me??????

Hi bryan, one way to help you identify your gift is to take a spiritual gifts test. You may have one in your church. But let's say there isn't or isn't easily available, you can still find out. This is to start being involved in church and be in its ministries. Through helping out, you'll slowly find out what you're good at. Start being involved and don't be bothered too much about what gift you have. The main thing is to be serving the Lord and then you'll slowly find out what you're good at.