Speaking In Toungues - The Straight Scoop?

[MZS]

First I want to say that I believe in the Gifts of the Spirit. Prophesy, Healing, Speaking in Tongues, and other gifts are clearly described in the Bible. Every Christian church should not discredit these and should seek these.

But I have encountered situations where the speaking in tongues did not seem authentic. And others where it did seem authentic. My very first experience was at a Charismatic Catholic Wednesday night meeting. I was not a believer, but I went anyway. And I had never experienced speaking in tongues before so this was quite out of the ordinary for me. Yet there was something going on that I can not describe - and a few months later I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I believe it started with that night.

A few years later however, I was in a church where almost everyone (but me) spoke "in tongues". Yet this time, it seemed contrived out of peer pressure. And if it was indeed contrived, would it not be a bad thing to do?

What are your thoughts?

 

[stormdancer0]

Yes, it is a bad thing to do. If you have been given this gift, then you will sense when someone is sincere, or when they're faking it. You have been given discernment.

 

[MZS]

I never felt I was given this particular gift. In our church, on occasion some will speak in tongues in a fairly quiet manner because I believe they have been given this gift. It is a beautiful thing.

I have had several instances where God spoke to me in a dream. I shared one of these just last week as it dealt with me forgiving my Father. In another instance many years back, God revealed (in a dream) that our pastor was pursuing homosexual affairs. I did not share this as it seemed just too crazy (and possibly destructive). A year later the pastor left the church (and town) for this very reason. I guess in the second instance I should have taken the dream more seriously and worked to help those still in the church to transition out without revealing the dream. Many folks fell hard when the pastor fell. So I have had two such "Prophetic" dreams in my life that I can remember. And I may not have another.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are very special gifts.

 

[WannaWitness]

But I have encountered situations where the speaking in tongues did not seem authentic....

A few years later however, I was in a church where almost everyone (but me) spoke "in tongues". Yet this time, it seemed contrived out of peer pressure. And if it was indeed contrived, would it not be a bad thing to do?

See, this is one of the reasons why many have thought Pentecostals to be "loony" at best, and "cultic/apostate" at worst. It is the phonies running around who make all Pentecostals (or those who lean that way) look bad. I lean toward the Pentecostal point of view myself; I fully believe in all the Spiritual gifts (including the gift of tongues), and that they are very much for today's Christians. Sadly, some Christians (due to misunderstanding) don't believe they are. Also, some people (Christians and non-Christians alike) see displays (such as you mentioned), and write the entire denomination off just because of one experience with a few people. Then they make up all sorts of stereotypes (such as clutching snakes and deliberately swallowing poisonous liquids), and these stereotypes are very offensive to me. Although I believe there is such a group that exists, this is not true of all Pentecostals. I have even tried to set people straight about these stereotypes, but people are going to think what they want to think.

Thankfully, there are true-blue, genuine people in all Christian denominations.

 

[WannaWitness]

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are very special gifts.

Yes, they are.

 

[kenblaster5000]

I never felt I was given this particular gift. In our church, on occasion some will speak in tongues in a fairly quiet manner because I believe they have been given this gift. It is a beautiful thing.

I have had several instances where God spoke to me in a dream. I shared one of these just last week as it dealt with me forgiving my Father. In another instance many years back, God revealed (in a dream) that our pastor was pursuing homosexual affairs. I did not share this as it seemed just too crazy (and possibly destructive). A year later the pastor left the church (and town) for this very reason. I guess in the second instance I should have taken the dream more seriously and worked to help those still in the church to transition out without revealing the dream. Many folks fell hard when the pastor fell. So I have had two such "Prophetic" dreams in my life that I can remember. And I may not have another.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are very special gifts.

Most of those who attack others with the gifts of the Spirit are wells without water, dry bones, who need to be prophecied into the body of Christ. They do not read the word of God, have no desire to, have no desire of the presence of God, gifts of God. They do not overcome, for the Spirit is what helps to overcome. We also have people who enjoy a Spirit filled church but do not want to go into the world and bring in the lost. Lukewarm, no power, denying the power of, not using what is given, losing what is given, without love, loveless, lovers of themselves, proud, blasphemers. Whatever, if you know the Word of God, desire to know Him, press in, believe His word as truth, how can He disappoint. In fact, we are appointed, set in the body as He designates, having much and giving ourselves away, and it is given back to us pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Not monetarily, but spiritually. Even if we don't have much materially, whether we are abased or abound, we are content.

 

[MZS]

Thank you all for the very insightful replies!