Struggling with tounges

[Aussiechildofgod]

Hi everyone!
I am a member of an AOG church, although Im not one big on denominations, however, the church I belong to has my complete agreeance at this point. I had hands laid upon me and was prayed for for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and although I had been attempting to speak in tounges for quite some time before that, I believe that moment was the moment I truly let go of myself and entered into really praying in tounges. However, since then I have struggled. It's not something I do a LOT although when praying or worshipping I try....but I feel so self conscious...like people are listening and can see right through me that its not for real....and I over think everything that I say....its so repetitious I wonder whether I am even doing it properly sometimes....then theres nother times when i know it feels genuine....

I was hoping someone out there had had similar experiences, and could tell me how things are now and what helped? Thanks!

 

[Macca]

Hi everyone!
I am a member of an AOG church, although Im not one big on denominations, however, the church I belong to has my complete agreeance at this point. I had hands laid upon me and was prayed for for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and although I had been attempting to speak in tounges for quite some time before that, I believe that moment was the moment I truly let go of myself and entered into really praying in tounges. However, since then I have struggled. It's not something I do a LOT although when praying or worshipping I try....but I feel so self conscious...like people are listening and can see right through me that its not for real....and I over think everything that I say....its so repetitious I wonder whether I am even doing it properly sometimes....then theres nother times when i know it feels genuine....

I was hoping someone out there had had similar experiences, and could tell me how things are now and what helped? Thanks!

This is not a problem. When you began to talk as a child, much of what you said was repetitious, until you became more used to speaking.
There are many mature Christians I know who have been speaking in tongues for years and are still very repetitious.
Continue with what you have and grow into it as you practice praying in tongues.
Just be aware that Satan will try and stop you; even by telling you that you are just pretending and making it up.

 

[ApostolicKiwi]

Gidday from New Zealand! Hey - no worries, Sister. I know how you feel. My prayer tongues sound NOTHING like those of my Pastor for example, but don't let that stop you because God, who has given you this wonderful gift, understands ALL languages! If you are feeling self-conscious, just pray quietly (but in tongues) and let the others take charge for the time being. I promise you that over time you will get much more comfortable with your gift. When I first stepped out in faith I always made sure that I stood next to a person who prayed rather noisily because then I could speak in my own prayer language without being 'overheard'. I guess I just needed some encouragement... just like you ! And don't let Satan talk you into believing that you're just making it all up, because you're not!

 

[Aussiechildofgod]

Thanks guys...I know what you're saying is true. The doubt that I am feeling though is really serious....I feel like a phoney! Everyone else talks about getting visions, and prophetic words, and its so frustrating becuase I have been told I have a prophetic gift, and that I need to use it, but I dont know how! And most of the time I feel like Im making it up by myself becuase of how much I really really want to step into that gifting! *sigh* And I get so depressed over how many different viewpoints there are, how many doctrines, nad how many different interpretations.....I get so bogged down I dont know whats real and what's not and that scares me! And then I ask God, and I hear nothing....I know what you're saying is true....that Im not making up my tounges when I speak them, but thats easy to think right now!

 

[JeCrois]

Hi. Welcome to CF.

I think this has happened to everyone who speaks in tongues at one point. The important thing to realize is that Satan cannot not stand it when we speak in tongues because it is our own unique language that ONLY God can understand. Satan cannot understand what we are saying, so he will do everything in his power to convince us that it is all fake...to make us feel so uncomfortable and fill us with self-doubt that we want to just stop.

Don't let the trap of the enemy capture you. As a Christian, you are stronger than that!

I speak all of this on experiance and what I've learned to do is to just let go and let God.

 

[deckland]

Hi Aussiechildofgod,

I read all the replies you got so far, and I have to say I'm amazed.
First let me tell you that I'm not baptized in Holly Spirit, neither I can state that my opinion is the correct one. I'm just a random guy who thinks that:

- If God have chosen to give me His Spirit one day, I know it would be without me trying to speak in tongues before that. It would happen (if God so desires) when I prey, have hands laid on me, or any other moment that i don't expect it. Or at least I hope so!!!

-When I was laid astray from God and stopped living in God, I lived years without Him. I found out that I could speak in tongues quite fluently (especially when was in some emotional state like being unhappy or happy ). I had the same feeling (of making it up myself) you're describing , mainly because I wasn't sure that it's me- i was kinda hoping that this was somehow what was left from my life in God. I now know it's not that! It's me and wouldn't speak in tongues until God shows me (if so He desires) that I'm His.

I hope i haven't confused you - I do not know if your ability to speak is from God or not! I'm just saying that for the last years without God in my life I was able to speak in a tonque - experience I know is not from God, it's me hoping to be still with God. I do not even try to do it know - I hope one day i would be back one of his sons and my Father will bless me with the real think. Amen!

Deckland

 

[Aussiechildofgod]

Oh great..so now you're saying that my ability to speak in tounges with my God may be fake anyways...nice..real nice!

I think I made it pretty clear in my first post that I HAD the experience of speaking in tounges for real.....I was prayed for and it happened. But to suggest that I am some kind of phoney Christian, who doesn't know God, and who's trying to fake a relationship with God by speaking in tounges off my own strength, is an unfair implication, and one that I firmly believe is absolutely false. My question was how get rid of the doubts, and instead you're trying to plant more...pretty much the last thing I need!

 

[Dave01]

Oh great..so now you're saying that my ability to speak in tounges with my God may be fake anyways...nice..real nice!

I think I made it pretty clear in my first post that I HAD the experience of speaking in tounges for real.....I was prayed for and it happened. But to suggest that I am some kind of phoney Christian, who doesn't know God, and who's trying to fake a relationship with God by speaking in tounges off my own strength, is an unfair implication, and one that I firmly believe is absolutely false. My question was how get rid of the doubts, and instead you're trying to plant more...pretty much the last thing I need!

I wouldn't take posts here at CF serious for a bit, especially ones that are from new people. It is easier to ignore such things until new rulesets are established.

 

[JeCrois]

Hi Aussiechildofgod,

I read all the replies you got so far, and I have to say I'm amazed.
First let me tell you that I'm not baptized in Holly Spirit, neither I can state that my opinion is the correct one. I'm just a random guy who thinks that:

- If God have chosen to give me His Spirit one day, I know it would be without me trying to speak in tongues before that. It would happen (if God so desires) when I prey, have hands laid on me, or any other moment that i don't expect it. Or at least I hope so!!!

-When I was laid astray from God and stopped living in God, I lived years without Him. I found out that I could speak in tongues quite fluently (especially when was in some emotional state like being unhappy or happy ). I had the same feeling (of making it up myself) you're describing , mainly because I wasn't sure that it's me- i was kinda hoping that this was somehow what was left from my life in God. I now know it's not that! It's me and wouldn't speak in tongues until God shows me (if so He desires) that I'm His.

I hope i haven't confused you - I do not know if your ability to speak is from God or not! I'm just saying that for the last years without God in my life I was able to speak in a tonque - experience I know is not from God, it's me hoping to be still with God. I do not even try to do it know - I hope one day i would be back one of his sons and my Father will bless me with the real think. Amen!

Deckland

Just like Satan tries to trick us into thinking our tongues are fake, he can also trick some people into thinking that they are authentic.

Tongues are a gift of the Spirit and anyone who admits they are not "with God" or "lead astray" and haven't even been baptised in the Holy Spirit clearly haven't spoken in tongues.

If someone is baptized in the Spirit, they will know it. I've never met anyone who was unsure whether or not they were in the Spirit. And during that baptism, if they speak in tongues they can guarantee that it is of God.

Now Deckland,

How can you claim to speak in tongues when you, yourself know what you are doing is fake? You said: "I hope one day I would be back as one of his sons and my Father will bless me with the real thing."

If you hope to be blessed with the "real thing" one day then what you are doing now is obviously not real.

 

[bithiah2]

Hi everyone!
I am a member of an AOG church, although Im not one big on denominations, however, the church I belong to has my complete agreeance at this point. I had hands laid upon me and was prayed for for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and although I had been attempting to speak in tounges for quite some time before that, I believe that moment was the moment I truly let go of myself and entered into really praying in tounges. However, since then I have struggled. It's not something I do a LOT although when praying or worshipping I try....but I feel so self conscious...like people are listening and can see right through me that its not for real....and I over think everything that I say....its so repetitious I wonder whether I am even doing it properly sometimes....then theres nother times when i know it feels genuine....

I was hoping someone out there had had similar experiences, and could tell me how things are now and what helped? Thanks!

God has many languages, if He chooses to give you the same word over and over again, it is still from God! don't let the enemy who is a liar and the father of lies discourage or distract you. don't let people who don't know God's word tell you what you have or don't have. first of all the Word says if a person does not speak according to the Word, it is because they do not have God's light in them (Isaiah 8) so don't even bother to respond.
it's not about "doing it properly" it is about you and your God. the Bible says in Acts 2:4 that they spoke as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. it does not say how many words anyone said, it just says that they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the ability. when you speak in tongues your spirit is speaking to God. the Holy Spirit in you knows what to say, and knows what you need. so just pray to Him, and praise Him, and continue to grow in the Lord, read the Word, meditate on the Word and be encouraged.

i used to be an altar worker and have heard all kinds of tongues. some spoke a few words, some spoke many, some said the same things over and over again. we just encouraged them to praise the Lord and to listen to themeselves. listen to yourself when you speak. the more you hear, the more you will believe. don't try to make yourself speak, it is as God's Spirit gives you the ability to speak. "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit" says the Lord.(Zech. 4:6) that is Old Testament but the Word of God is true anyway, all the time.

blessings

bithiah2

 

[DavidPresently]

I wouldn't take posts here at CF serious for a bit, especially ones that are from new people. It is easier to ignore such things until new rulesets are established.

I'd like to point out, Dave, that the guy who doesn't speak in tongues and gave that load of garbage to the needy person, has a Pentecostal icon. Which proves my point to you that such will not prove someone is Pentecostal or good for discussing, debating, or teaching others, for edification in the gifts of the Spirit.

 

[Dave01]

I'd like to point out, Dave, that the guy who doesn't speak in tongues and gave that load of garbage to the needy person, has a Pentecostal icon. Which proves my point to you that such will not prove someone is Pentecostal or good for discussing, debating, or teaching others, for edification in the gifts of the Spirit.

I already sought guidance form the admins on this David. With people now able to change their icons at will, the requirement for an icon to debate will not work. I'm going to compare commonly accepted doctrines between the different denominations to post as a requirement to debate for teach in our sub-forum.

 

[Brucea]

My friend I want to encourage you to read some of Oscar's writing on tongues. He has written some very good stuff. I usually do not recommend someone else's writing; however, I want to strongly recommend him.

If you do a thread search on tongues you will find many of his writings.

Second, does your church have a prayer meeting where praying in tongues is practiced? If so get involved in it!

 

[DavidPresently]

Hi everyone!
I am a member of an AOG church, although Im not one big on denominations, however, the church I belong to has my complete agreeance at this point. I had hands laid upon me and was prayed for for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and although I had been attempting to speak in tounges for quite some time before that, I believe that moment was the moment I truly let go of myself and entered into really praying in tounges. However, since then I have struggled. It's not something I do a LOT although when praying or worshipping I try....but I feel so self conscious...like people are listening and can see right through me that its not for real....and I over think everything that I say....its so repetitious I wonder whether I am even doing it properly sometimes....then theres nother times when i know it feels genuine....

I was hoping someone out there had had similar experiences, and could tell me how things are now and what helped? Thanks!

Hey sis,

No need to struggle. May you have peace from God.

Let me give you my testimony about tongues. I was baptized while having a vision of the Lord, and had power come into my life from that moment. But, I didn't know I had the ability to speak in tongues until one day I was praising with all of my might in song, and suddenly I started speaking something not English. Within I had a peace it was from God, but in my head I was analyzing it and doubting it. I said a quick prayer, "I rebuke any influence from the adversary against me while praying and praising, right now, in the name of Jesus! Lord, if this is truly from you, let me keep doing it more!"

Well, I put my trust in his will there, and started praising again, and again it began coming out as tongues I did not know. So, I rejoiced in it and just kept speaking for hours. Now, this is someone who before that had only know Baptist church and never heard anyone speak in tongues, or been taught about it at all, though I'd read the Scriptures many times through and knew it was scriptural.

I noticed in the days after this, that when I'd go to speaking in that manner, that my mind would go crazy with doubts and arguments against it. I know some think this is Satan, but I think it more likely your flesh, the carnal mind, wanting to stay in control of the mind and tongue, and because it is losing more ground, it is fighting to remain alive.

Well, I'd just tell those thoughts to shut up, and I'd take them captive in Messiah. I kept on speaking as the Spirit had given me the utterance (I realized later that it went all the way back to that night with Jesus touching me in a vision or in the spirit somehow, but that I had just never actually consciously spoken in that utterance until that night I was just letting go of myself to praise my King.

I noticed that over time, the arguments and doubts in my mind became less and less, and I continued to study out tongues in the Scriptures, and my faith was greatly built up in the matter. Over time, the carnal mind finally shut up completely, and I no longer here it arguing over speaking from the spirit, rather than the understanding (1 Cor 14). In fact, I haven't heard and argument in my mind for many years now. Over time, I've received new utterances.

I've spoken some that were known languages, such as Hebrew, without having naturally learned them. I've spoken before and it sounded Chinese or something. But usually, it is my normal utterance, my "prayer language," which also has developed more and more over time, from fewer sounds and words, to more and more complex ones, that now sound more like sentences and statements.

I must admit though, that mine did not start out as very repetitive, as I had many sounds and words to start, that differed. I just want to be honest there. But then state that I have laid hands on others and they have spoken in tongues, and every time it has been different.

One guys language I almost chuckled over, after I laid hands on him. It sounded like nothing I'd ever heard, and it was sounds and syllables but just different. If it could be typed, I suppose it would go something like..."shhhlllemiashlaahmashllemiahshlamffffttttssss."

Seriously, it sounded "funny," to my natural ears. However, it is his, and he's unique, just like his utterance. I've heard some bizarre sounding tongues from laying hands on others to receive, though I've had the discernment they were from God to those people.

The Scriptures say that the things of the Spirit are foolishness to the natural man/mind. That is certainly true with speaking in tongues. But, just because our natural minds think it sounds "bizarre" or "funny," or "how do you know that is of God?" and such, does not mean we should listen to that. When I almost chuckled over the one guy's, (if you ever saw the guy dance in praise it makes people want to chuckle also, he was just very unique, but sincere), I kept it in and conquered that fleshly thought. Spiritually I knew "it isn't funny." But the flesh thought it sounded funny and foolish.

Don't pay any attention to naysayers or mockers or scoffers. Only you and God know for sure that you are his and he's given you utterance. As far as judgment goes. So don't let another judge you in that regard.

Keep on speaking the utterance you've been given, and over time, you'll conquer the fears and doubts in the carnal mind.

You'll also over time, as you submit as a living sacrifice, to do God's will and not your own, will be further empowered supernaturally, to do greater works for his Kingdom. Just hang in there and be encouraged and keep up the fight of faith.

Shalom in Yahshua (Jesus)!

David

 

[Aussiechildofgod]

Firstly, I just want to thank everyone for their warmth, their readiness to share, and tbe love that I felt reading all these replies!!!

Secondly, I want to address posts individually, as I feel they need to be!

Deckland.....now that I have had time to fortify myself, and really pray on this subject, I feel nothing but sadness for you. If you have truly known the Lord, and have walked away from that, then you are in serious trouble my friend, because the bible says your judgement will be harsh. You were not "lead" astray, you CHOSE to stray, noone can pull you away from God but you. From what you have said, my impression is that you are sitting back hoping that God is going to zap you on the head one day and bam, you'll be a Chrstian again! My friend, I cannot even BEGIN to tell you what's wrong with that! If you are not sincerely searching for God, the Holy Spirit will not enter your heart...the HS is a gentlemen, he will NEVER force His way into your life!

The fact that you have sought nothing more than to discourage me speaks volumes to me....you're not here for edification of your brothers and sisters, and therefore you're not operating in a God like manner. I will put you on my prayer list, becuase I feel that you desperately need it!

Dave01 Thankyou for your encouragement....that little sentence you posted really made me feel better!

Bithia - Thankyou! This is GREAT advice!!!!

Brucea - Thankyou, I will definately look that up! Its always so great to be redirected to some resources that might help the situation!

Davidprestley - Thankyou for your encouragement, and your testimony!!!!! You put so much effort and attention into telling your story, and I really enjoyed reading it! Its so encouraging to know that people have thought the same, and felt the same, and I am going to dig deeper into the Word on tounges and keep going, pushing those doubts out! Thankyou thankyou thankyou!

You're all wonderful, and have given me a lot of food for thought!

 

[deckland]

Oh great..so now you're saying that my ability to speak in tounges with my God may be fake anyways...nice..real nice!

I think I made it pretty clear in my first post that I HAD the experience of speaking in tounges for real.....I was prayed for and it happened. But to suggest that I am some kind of phoney Christian, who doesn't know God, and who's trying to fake a relationship with God by speaking in tounges off my own strength, is an unfair implication, and one that I firmly believe is absolutely false. My question was how get rid of the doubts, and instead you're trying to plant more...pretty much the last thing I need!

Hey,

I never said that! You should read my post again, I didn't and don't want to offend, discourage or accuse you of anything. Please accept my SINCERE apologies for the doubts I might have put into you. Yes - it wasn't quite obvious from your post that you have had the initial experience of speaking in tongues, so please once again - forgive me.

Deckland

 

[tturt]

Deckland - you posted, "I hope one day i would be back one of his sons and my Father will bless me with the real think."

Do you mean you're ready to serve the Lord again? Or I guess I should ask, what you mean by the first part of your question? I'm not trying to start a debate just trying to understand your post. Thanks.

 

[deckland]

Firstly, I just want to thank everyone for their warmth, their readiness to share, and tbe love that I felt reading all these replies!!!

Secondly, I want to address posts individually, as I feel they need to be!

Deckland.....now that I have had time to fortify myself, and really pray on this subject, I feel nothing but sadness for you. If you have truly known the Lord, and have walked away from that, then you are in serious trouble my friend, because the bible says your judgement will be harsh. You were not "lead" astray, you CHOSE to stray, noone can pull you away from God but you. From what you have said, my impression is that you are sitting back hoping that God is going to zap you on the head one day and bam, you'll be a Chrstian again! My friend, I cannot even BEGIN to tell you what's wrong with that! If you are not sincerely searching for God, the Holy Spirit will not enter your heart...the HS is a gentlemen, he will NEVER force His way into your life!

The fact that you have sought nothing more than to discourage me speaks volumes to me....you're not here for edification of your brothers and sisters, and therefore you're not operating in a God like manner. I will put you on my prayer list, becuase I feel that you desperately need it!

Dave01 Thankyou for your encouragement....that little sentence you posted really made me feel better!

Bithia - Thankyou! This is GREAT advice!!!!

Brucea - Thankyou, I will definately look that up! Its always so great to be redirected to some resources that might help the situation!

Davidprestley - Thankyou for your encouragement, and your testimony!!!!! You put so much effort and attention into telling your story, and I really enjoyed reading it! Its so encouraging to know that people have thought the same, and felt the same, and I am going to dig deeper into the Word on tounges and keep going, pushing those doubts out! Thankyou thankyou thankyou!

You're all wonderful, and have given me a lot of food for thought!

Aussiechildofgod,

I'm at work at the moment - and I have to say - I'm practically unable to work at the moment - since your last post. Mostly because you're right about me - Yes, I'm without God, and yes - I walked away. I can only imagine how many people will judge me after this post - how could he walk away?! how could he ignore the grace of God and go back to the vomit he used to live in before?! I won't explain what happened back then, as whatever i say, it turns out, it's so easy to judge a person from so far away.
So, I'm writing this post for two reasons:

1) I want to reassure you that i would never tell anyone not to speak in tongues, anyone. After all who am i to tell such things, did i give them their ability to do?! I hope you understand that i never meant to discourage you!!!

2) I thank you that you would pray for me! I really need someone to do that for me...

I feel really terrible at the moment, since I now realize I've come to the point where i can give such an impression to those that God loves.
And everyone keeps on saying what wrath waits for me there, still nobody's eager to tell me how to save myself now...

Deckland

 

[deckland]

Deckland - you posted, "I hope one day i would be back one of his sons and my Father will bless me with the real think."

Do you mean you're ready to serve the Lord again? Or I guess I should ask, what you mean by the first part of your question? I'm not trying to start a debate just trying to understand your post. Thanks.

Hi,

This is my story - http://www.christianforums.com/t5668165
Yes, I'm looking for a way to return to God.

Thank you for actually trying to understand what I meant in my post! It's rare for someone to be interested in someone else's story these days...

Deckland

 

[tturt]

Deckland, give me some time to look at those scriptures...