Speaking in tongues

I am not sure what to believe anymore about this topic.
Does anyone have clear teaching or understanding of speaking in tongues, would you mind sharing what you understand about speaking in tongues?

EDIT: Please answer with caution.

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hi, my personal testimony is that i was coming back to the Lord after being an associate evangelist to a major southern baptist evangelist and quiting because i could not keep the victory over lust and did not want to bring reproach on Jesus or the man i worked for.i was in the office alone and was confessing my sins before the Lord and after a long list i told Jesus that i was a good sinner and not to good of a christian and that i needed special help cause i was such a loser...at this minute i began to speak in tongues like a river and did not know what it was because i had never been in a pentacostal church.my life really changed that night and that was 45 years ago. one of my dearest friends wrote a paper at nobtseminary ...why tongues are not for today...a month later he was praying for his mother who was in a coma and while weeping over his inability to do anything for her,he cried out to God for the same power that the chuch in acts had and he began to speak in other tongues and prayed for his mom and she was raised up.the bible teaches that if an earthly father will give good things to his children ...how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.jimp

After reading 1 Corinthians 14 I gleaned that prophecy and tongues are both forms of utterance by the Holy Spirit and as such are very powerful for the building up of yourself and the Church.

"So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." 1 Corinthians 14:39

And since tongues and prophecy are by the Spirit then they should be done under the control of the Spirit.

"and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints," 1 Corinthians 14:31-32

"But all things should be done decently and in order."
1 Corinthians 14:40

And to emphasize that these guidelines are commands from the Lord himself Paul writes "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord."
1 Corinthians 14:37

I believe that these gifts of utterance by the Spirit are so profitable the enemy has launched an attack with the goal of quenching them. I believe this attack is two-pronged.

1. Counterfeit the gifts with the spirit of the anti-Christ or get those with the genuine gift to break the commands Paul laid down.

2. Use the chaos resulting from the 1st prong to inspire fear and distaste for the gifts.

In experience, in prayer, when the Spirit intercedes, prophetic utterances or tongues may proceed out of the mouth as the fruit of groanings to deep for words.

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

We are drawn into this life of prayer and intercession as we abide in the love of Christ to bear much fruit for his Glory.

Thanks for the reminder to speak with caution, before this topic explodes into a million rabbit trails I would like to share my thoughts on Speaking in Tongues.

I am Pentecostal by nature and so I believe the gift is not only biblical but is still quite active in churches today. I was use to go to an Assembly of God according to them Speakin in Tongues is the first Physical evidence that you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit. As I read scripture I found this is be incorrect in logic anyways.

I believe that Tongues is a gift given to those the Father chooses and it is not necessarily for everyone in the good ole pentecostal sense. I deny it as an evidence of being baptised in the Holy Spirit, though these things can take place its not rock solid evidence. Meaning anyone can falsely speak in tongues, I can speak jibberish erracticly and fool many into thinking I can speak in tongues. So for me personaly this is a very weak "evidence" the only viable evidence I see is the Fruit of the Spirit being supernaturally naturally manifest in the person more specifically Love.

I believe we are all given gift for a reason I personally can say there is a danger to speaking in tongues in a huge group as seen in many large Pentecostal movements where the main goal is to "baptise" as many people in the Holy Spirit as possible. I disagree with this because it provokes false tongues. Meaning this one thing a man or woman wants is acceptance, they do this by adapting to their surroundings. Put a man that wants acceptance in a Catholic church he will submit to their doctrine, set them in a baptist church and they will submit to those doctrines, and set them in a Pentecostal church and they will accept their doctrines.

Please imagine a man wanting acceptance standing in a church where everyone is/can speak in tongues, sadden by being different wish to fit in and so has a large group of men praying tongues over them gets into a emotional frenzy and begins to speak in tongues. All the while he is still falling into the same traps and skemes of Satan on top of the fact that once the emotional high wore off he felt just the same as he was before.

I believe Jimp's testimony is quite beautiful and I trust it is the truth, this testimony I would say shows us a good example of what biblical speaking in tongues is. I try not to get to hung up on the tongues thing though there are many mighty men of God that never spoke in tongues but their work on the earth was proof of their Love and hunger for Christ Jesus. I hope this helped in some way. :)

God Bless,
Matthew

If you want to understand the function of tongues, you must understand the function of parables. How are the two related? Listen carefully:

Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: "'You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' (Matthew 13:10-15)

The secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to God’s elect. And to those who have faith, more will be given. But to those whose hearts are hardened against the Lord, who are destined for destruction, they will be ever hearing, but never able to understand. Parables are interpreted or divinely revealed to the children of the kingdom of heaven. Sounds familiar? Does Paul not command the Corinthians to be quiet unless there is an interpretation or a divine revelation? Why does Paul say that tongues should be practised as such in the church? Consider the fact that Paul emphasizes the greatest of gifts, which is love, in 1Corinthians 13. Consider the fact that Paul compares tongues and prophecy in 1Corinthians 14. What is the relationship between the three? We must ask ourselves the following question: “Am I using the gift of tongues to edify the body of Christ in love, or am I using the gift of tongues in a selfish way and trying to bypass God’s provisions in Christ to acquire special powers?” Uninterpreted tongues do not serve the body of Christ; but, interpreted tongues become a word of prophecy, knowledge, revelation, or teaching (1Corinthians 14:6).

Tongues without understanding is a sign of judgment unto those whose hearts are calloused and hardened. Tongues with understanding (prophecy) is a sign of blessing from God, sometimes piercing the heart with conviction of sin to bring to salvation, other times bringing encouraging revelation from God to the assembly of believers. That is why it is written: “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers (1 Corinthians 14:21-22).

Consider the fact that both the meaning of parables and the meaning of tongues comes from God’s dealings with rebellious Israel through Isaiah, and the ensuing judgment that would come through the Assyrian king (Isaiah 6:8-13; Isaiah 28:11-22). Now, it makes sense why the disciples would speak in the tongues of the Gentiles in the book of Acts, because judgment came upon calloused Israel, which has been broken off so that the Gentiles might be grafted into the olive root (Romans 11:11-32).

Tongues, then, should be practised in this context. Understanding this concept, and understanding the greatest gift of love, we should seek the edification of the body of Christ, rather than seeking special powers through an ecstatic experience. There is much misunderstanding of tongues in the church, and the evil one is taking advantage of this. At the very least, we must test the spirits (1John 4:1; 1Thessalonians 5:21-22). How can we test the spirits unless we understand what is being spoken? Do the tongues or does the message bring attention to the work of Christ, or does it bring attention to the person babbling, the powers that are sought, the ecstatic experience, or any other thing for that matter?

The Holy Spirit testifies to Jesus Christ, His person, His work, His salvation. A spirit that does not bring attention to Christ cannot be of God. With that being said, let us not forbid the speaking of tongues, but let us do it appropriately, in accordance with the revealed will of God.

Yours in Christ,
Renoncer

Amen Renoncer,

"By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4:13-16

The love of God, Jesus on the Cross, in our hearts, makes us more than a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. It is truly love shed abroad when we say of our wonderful savior with our brother Paul, this life I live by faith in the Son of God who, LOVED me, and GAVE himself for me.

OH we never cease to wonder at this amazing love. He first loved us. He always did. Even in our mothers womb. Even from the foundation of the world. His Love never ends.

Beloved as he hung on that tree, pierced for us, forsaken for us, it was love, a life laid down. And he took it back up again. His Father loves him. His father is our father. ABBA.

Brother,

(Thank you for the words of caution)

If you have never known anything about the gift of tongues, all of our testimonies converging on you at once can be overwhelming and confusing for you. I thought about adding mine but then the Lord reminded me of the following book.

This book is very balanced. It was written by a man who did not speak in tongues as an informative book but then they last 1/3 of the book, it was written by the same man who had received the gift!!

Here is the link for Amazon and in their used section; it is $1.78 plus 3.99 shipping... so like six bucks. (edit: don't forget to read the reviews there as well!)

http://www.amazon.com/They-Speak-Other-Tongues-Sherrill/dp/0800793595/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_4

I highly recommend this book.

God bless you,
Lisa

I personally do not speak in tongues and therefore I may show some personal bias in what I say, but I trust it will be taken in good spirit.

Firstly is it OK to differentiate between the gift of tongues as witnessed at Pentecost whereby the Gospel was heard by men and women from different nations in their own language at the same time (Acts 2 v 4-6) and the 'modern' gift of tongues (Glossolalia) which is seen to be edifying for both believer (to build oneself up privately) and an assembly of saints (if an interpreter is present)?

If this differentiation is permitted then I would be raising questions about the second of the two. Would it be possible that this is nothing more than a manifestation of the flesh? N.B I'm only putting the suggestion out there for consideration. It's something that I suspect that's all, but I may be completely wrong. Those who've 'experienced' glossolalia may deem me naive and that's OK, I just feel there may be other believers in the same position as me who would appreciate the topic being discussed.

Renoncer mentioned 1 Corinthians 14:22 'Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers'. I can't help but think that the 'modern' gift of tongues is absolutely worthless as a sign to unbelievers. If witnessed by them would they not rightly label Christians as mad?

Another point I would make is that the New Testament church which seemed to be the largest possessor of the gift of tongues was the Corinthian church, but yet it was accompanied with a very immature level of spirituality (see 1 Cor 3 v 1-4)

Perhaps one day I will change my opinion and reconsider what I've just written. But at present I'm just calling it as I see it. I would align myself with the Moody Bible Institute's doctrinal statement

The Institute maintains that there is one baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurs at the time a person is born again, placing that one into the body of Christ. MBI also distinguishes between spiritual gifts distributed to believers to equip them for ministry and the "sign gifts" which are understood to have been manifestations of the Holy Spirit to authenticate the messenger and the gospel message during the foundational period of the church. Therefore, the Institute holds that "sign gifts" are not normative for the church today. While this institutional position is not and must not be a test of fellowship with those whose traditions differ, members of this community will not practice or propagate practices at variance with the Institute's position.

In Christ

David

hi, lysa is correct in what she said about this subject in that the book she told you about is solid as a rock and tells the truth with balance and love. most of the writers who have opined with a pure heart do not really know enough about this subject to comment including me compared to this well researched book.jimp

Hi Lysa,

The book you mentioned caught my eye. Can you tell me whether Brother Andrew or Corrie Ten Boom spoke in tongues. I think the book may have mentioned it if they indeed spoke in tongues before. Thanks.

On the one extreme, you have the cessationists who say that "speaking in tongues" is no longer a valid gift of the Holy Spirit.

On the other extreme, you have people who practise "pagan babble" but call it "speaking in tongues". Obviously, they do not test the spirits, do not interpret, and do not do any of this is any orderly manner.

At the center, you have people who practise the gift of tongues as a purposeful, meaningful, divine-given gift of the Holy Spirit, edifying the body of Christ and bringing attention to the Lord Jesus Christ (and not to themselves).

We must be aware of this spectrum when considering people's opinions about the gift of tongues. Test everything. Hold on to the good; avoid every appearance of evil. And keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him we find the sufficient grace of God. If anyone tells you that you need to find some "other" experience apart from Christ, BEWARE...

Your servant in Christ,
Renoncer

please...who was it that said to tarry in jerusalem ...john baptized in water but I will baptize you in the Holy Ghost.Jesus is the baptizer in the holy Spirit... about one in one hundred use tongues in the gift of tongues...most use it as the prayer language that speaks to God...as in out of your bellies shall flow rivers of water...this He spoke of the Holy Spirit...paul said i wish that all would speak in tongues..paul also said that i speak in tongues more than you all...he also said i pray in the Spirit and i pray in the understanding also.read the book that lisa touted it will bless you.jimp

I agree jimp; it changed my life. I also highly recommend the book Lisa is referring, "They Speak with Other Tongues" by John L. Sherrill.

I just happened to be reading in Corinthians today and this verse just struck home:

1 Corinthians 14:21 - "In the law it is written, With [i]men of[/i] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord."

I thank God for all His gifts; from the smallest to the greatest...

Let us hear what the Lord has to say.

Wayne

I agree jimp; it changed my life.

Everyone of them has said, "No one told me how beautiful this was." I was with a few that received and when they did, they immediately began to worship the Father; which causes everyone in the room to worship the Father too!

It has seriously changed their lives as it changed mine too.

I am grateful for God's unspeakable gift: Jesus - it's because of His sacrifice and blood I have been set free but I am also grateful for Him sending the Holy Spirit to comfort until He returns!

God bless you,
lisa

Pilgrim said:

Don't camp out there. Go deeper with God. Too many camp out there for their whole life.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the thing that we need to go deeper. Amen. It is only the beginning. We need to be in a state of continually being filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

David: I first want you to know that I am not replying for sake of argument, but rather to put some more information out there that might help. I have been raised in what may be considered the foundations of 20th century American Pentecost, so you can automatically see where my thinking lies on this issue. I believe very much in speaking in tongues.

First I do believe we can differentiate between the gift of tongues in operation in the sense of ministry to another and the praying or speaking in tongues exercised by a Spirit filled believer. If you read carefully, Paul, Peter, or Luke in the book of Acts never attributed the day of Pentecost, or the speaking in tongues of those of Cornelius’ household, or Paul’s personal praying in tongues as exercise of the gift of tongues. The gift of tongues is only mentioned as such in 1Cor. in the context of the 9 gifts of the Spirit. Peter on the day of Pentecost quotes Joel’s prophecy which seems to have nothing to do with the gifts of the Spirit, but rather of what will take place in the life of believers.

I believe from your comments that you accept the supernatural gift of tongue with interpretation as valid and of the Spirit. The question was whether we might consider the second, personal praying in tongues, as merely a manifestation of the flesh. First I might say, suppose it were. What would be the effects of it on the believer? I sometimes stir myself physically. I might, during a time of worship, clap my hands, dance a bit, prostrate myself before God, etc. These are obviously manifestations of my own flesh, but they serve to edify me. There is something about physical action in response to the Spirit of God that effects me in a positive way. Perhaps there are some who are really not filled with the Spirit who do manifest such a thing as “fake” tongues in their own flesh. I cannot say for sure. However, I do not believe tongues to be a manifestation of the flesh. First, Paul and Peter and Luke did not mention this as a fleshly manifestation, but as a reality. Second, having grown up in a Pentecostal movement, people I have personally known or who were personally known to my parents and grandparents have had instances of praying in a tongue unknown to them, not in a ministry context, but rather personal prayer who were overheard by someone who actually spoke the language that they were praying in and could tell them what they were praying. If it were simply a manifestation of the flesh, this could not have happened.

You mentioned 1 Cor. 14:22. If you look at the context of that statement you find that Paul is addressing what happens when tongues are in manifestation without interpretation. He had already established the equivalency of tongues and interpretation with prophecy. He is not saying, “don’t speak in tongues in the assembly”, but rather, “If you guys get together and all of you speak in tongues throughout the whole meeting, the unlearned will not understand what is going on and think you mad.” The same thing happened by the way for those who could not understand on the day of Pentecost. The ones who did not speak the languages spoken thought it was a bunch of drunkards speaking out of their minds. Peter had to correct that assessment of the situation.

The fact that there was spiritual immaturity in the Corinthian church does not negate the moving of the Holy Spirit among them. I think the charge of greater immaturity in that church than in any other is a bit overdone anyway. We know what was going on in the Corinthian church because Paul addressed it in writing. We don’t know what levels of immaturity were in the other churches because Paul did not address it. The fact that he did not address it is not proof that it was not there. Paul also opens his letter to the Corinthians by calling them saints and saying that they were sanctified. You and I are not as mature as we could be and will be if we continue steadfast in the faith, but that immaturity that is in us does not disqualify us from being used of God. If that were the case, no one could ever be used.

I obviously differ from the view held by the Moody Bible Institute. I believe they are my brothers in Christ and have seen some really awesome things happen through Moody. Many people are coming to faith in Christ because of them. Praise God for them. I just think they are mistaken in their view of the Holy Spirit and of the gifts and of tongues.

Praying in tongues is a great source of strength, edification, encouragement, power, and revelation in my life. I think it a vital and integral part of my walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not all about tongues, don’t get me wrong, but that does not diminish the power and importance of speaking in tongues in the life of a Spirit filled believer.

God’s blessings to you my brother in Christ.

Many thanks travis for your thoughtful reply to my comments. It was much appreciated. And everybody else for their thoughts. I feel travis dealt comprehensively with my concerns. I have a few more issues, but i'll pm you at a later time. I'm conscious of dragging this thread into a debate especially when the testimonies are so interesting. God bless you all. David.

Thank you for all the replies to the question!
For those that do not speak in tongues, how do you pray?
I mean prayer is the one of the most talked about things in the bible but how does one pray if you dont pray in tongues?
Do people just say the Lord's prayer over and over or read and pray out of Psalms like the Hebrews do?

For those that do not speak in tongues, how do you pray? I mean prayer is the one of the most talked about things in the bible but how does one pray if you dont pray in tongues? Do people just say the Lord's prayer over and over or read and pray out of Psalms like the Hebrews do?

Greetings

I have not read every post to this thread but as I have time I am going to try and go back and do so. To answer your above question I do not speak in tongues, but I do pray all the time. Several times a day I stop and seek the Lord in prayer, sometimes its just a simple "thank you Father" other times I share with Him the things on my heart or just tell Him how deeply I love Him and am so in awe of Him and all that He has done.

As for speaking in tongues this is still a huge question mark for me personally. About thirteen years ago I was attending a church and they taught on the gifts as well as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some brothers and sisters that we shared with during this time said that you had to speak in tongues in order to prove that you were baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was such a painful time for me. I became obsessed with praying and speaking in tongues because I felt like it was my fault, something I was doing wrong that this had not happened to me. Those around me kept saying your not really baptized and filled with the Holy spirit if you do not have your own prayer language and speak in other tongues. I was heart broken. I would put my little ones to bed and stay up late into the night praying, begging God to allow me to speak in tongues, I made huge long lists of every sin I could ever think of that I had committed in an attempt to clear any obstacle that might be between me and the Lord. Still night after night as tears flowed nothing happened. I was told to just begin praying and to make up silly words that I was inhibiting Gods giving me this gift because deep down I was self conscious of how I would sound or what others would think of me. I was told to just start speaking even if it sounded like gibberish because God would take over and fill my mouth with His words in another tongue. I did what I was told but it felt wrong it felt forced and I knew this wasn't from God. I couldn't understand why everyone else was being given this gift and why God had rejected me? The closeness I felt before with God was now almost completely gone. I prayed but not with the same eagerness of heart to sit at my Saviors feet and talk with Him. I became depressed and would spend hours crying out to God pleading with Him for this gift of tongues but the answer was always the same, nothing. Finally I came to a place where I just knew I was to stop trying to force this and I just went to bed that night giving thanks to God for His mercy and love. That night God finally answered my prayer that I had been asking about tongues. He showed me that I had become more desiring of the gift of tongues then I had been of knowing Him. I wanted the gift but had little care for the giver. I was immediately convicted in my heart that this was the case and I repented. After that night I changed the way I prayed and I began to ask the Lord to open my eyes to any sin in my life, to show me those things that were not of Him that I might walk with Him not out of a desire for tongues but just to simple "know Him" more deeply. God answered my prayers, I began to see things in my life, attitudes of my heart that were sinful and wicked. Things that were buried deep down in my heart, bitterness, selfishness, pride, and fear where all there before me as God revealed them and I spent time repenting and giving thanks for His mercy. As I trusted Him the sadness and depression went away and my faith returned. I spent more time in my Word reading seeking to know Jesus the person and that closeness I once had, returned to me. The more time I spent seeking to die to self and to know Jesus personally the deeper my understanding and desire to walk with Him was. Now I don't worry any more what men say about tongues I trust that God has what is best for me. If one day He chooses to give me this gift then I will walk by faith but if I spend my time sitting at His feet, just talking to Him, listening to Him, worshiping Him as I do now ...well that's pretty awesome too! For me knowing Him, just being allowed to talk to Him and know that He is listening is so much more then I could ever ask or hope for that I truly feel blessed to be in His presence.In fact there are many times when I come before Him that I am so over come with His love and the awesomeness of who HE is that I have no words at all to express, I sit at HIS feet and I am amazed by HIM!

I have prayed scripture at times too:) There are many occasions when I will stop, Father will show me that the attitude of my heart is not right and the scripture of not letting my heart be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin comes to mind and I have prayed that asking the Lord not to allow my heart to be hardened.

God Bless
maryjane

MaryJane, Thanks for your reply. And what a reply it was!

maryjane: Your testimony is not at all uncommon. Many, I think, have a wrong perception of speaking in tongues. It is true that the 120 in the upper room on the day of pentecost spoke in tonges when they were filled, but nowhere in scripture do we find that this is necessary as proof that you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I look at it this way. As a Spirit filled believer, I do not have to speak in tongues, I get to speak in tongues. It is not a requirement, but rather a privelege. Unfortunately there are some really goofy doctrines that cause many people problems. There is no requirement to make a sin list and assure that every little thing is taken care of formally to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The only expressed Biblical requirement is that you have been born again. My main problem was that I thought I had to reach some arbitrary level of Christian perfection before I received, and so I struggled with God for somewhere near 8 years. I would be seeking God, but frustrated because I had not yet received. The Holy Spirit would be so powerful on me that I would pray fervently for as much as five hours without a rest and be absolutely lost in His presence, and yet go away disappointed. Finally I realized that I did not have to already have power over and be perfect in every area of my life in order to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather I needed the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to be empowered to have overcoming victory in my life. It made all the difference in the world to have that revelation hit home and I receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tonges that very night. I pray in tonges often, and am much edified by it. It is sweet communion of my spirit with the Spirit of God. You are right. Seek God, not tongues. Seek to be filled with the Spirit, not to speak with tongues.

However, I would make this statement. Many think that God, in some kind of divine timing, will fill you when He is good an ready. This is not a Biblical concept. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of pentecost and He has never been rescended. We recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith just as we do salvation. Ask...and receive. I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by asking in faith and receiving. I initially prayed in tongues the same way. I felt a desire, I percieved some unknown syllables coming to my mind. I chose to excercise faith and speak regardless of how it sounded. Now I have grown as we all do and praying in tonges is about as natural as breathing. I have found when I do not know how to pray with my understanding about any issue I simply pray in tongues by faith over the issue and believe that since 1 Cor. 2 says that through the indwelling Holy Spirit I can know in my Spirit the hidden things of God and since 1 Cor. 2 says I have the mind of Christ, I believe that I am praying in perfect agreement with the intercessions of Christ about the issue and have seen great fruit from it.

May God richly bless you with His presence.

Travis writes

The Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of pentecost and He has never been rescended. We recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith just as we do salvation. Ask...and receive. I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by asking in faith and receiving.
Amen brother

And James says:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:16-17 (KJV)

And is not the Holy Spirit which He has given us good and perfect. And are not all the gifts which the Holy Spirit distributes to us good and perfect.

And "how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matt 7:7-11 (KJV)

Or as Luke says "shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)

The Holy Spirit and His gifts are one and bear witness to Christ Himself. They are good and they are perfect.

David

For those that do not speak in tongues, how do you pray?

With the understanding (1 Cor. 14.15).

But note. Paul says that to pray in a tongue is to pray "with the spirit." (I'm putting a small "s" on that.)

He certainly is not saying that to pray with the understanding is to pray without the aid of the Spirit.

In both cases the Holy Spirit is needed.

Praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20, Eph. 6.18) is something that can be done in plain old English or whatever language happens to be native to a person.

1. Praying in the spirit is simply when the "Holy Spirit" gives us the unction. In allot of cases where the person has the gift of tongues then the prayer may be unintelligible to the personal as it is his "spirit" [lower case] that is praying and this may manifest as "speaking in tongues".

2. When the gift of tongues is absent then praying in the spirit could be in the form of intercessory prayer where the spirit specifically tells us what to pray for or who to pray for.

Praying in the Spirit is not exclusive to speaking in tongues but in most cases it is accompanied by gifts and power. While some may speak in tongues, others intercessory prayers, others receive a specific word of knowledge/wisdom during prayer the common denominator is that such prayers are not of the unction of the believer.

3. Not every believer speaks in tongues. But every believer can speak in tongues if they ask for the gift. But personally i think its better to prophesy as Paul mentions. Gifts and natural abilities are given to us all.

4. Many believers who do not speak in tongues and many who do often confuse human intuition with praying in the spirit. I have met many Pentecostals who think they can speak in tongues but.....

5. tongues are a lower gift if we dont have faith for the least of gifts how can we truly receive the greater? I am no authority on gifts as i am currently studying the matter and my study will not be completed for at least 9 months. But what i would say is to avoid unbelief if you dont speak in tongues and forget the gift and desperately, desperately seek his empowering presence to a greater degree in your life.

6. Glorifying any gift is childish and immature.

7. How do i know i have received an infilling of the holy spirit? I want more of him - his sanctifying work is evident to all - there is power when the gospel is preached as men are convicted of their sins

8. Never formulate your theology of the Spirit purely on experiential reality. Base it on the written word of God. Where there is ambiguities avoid the vanities of your mind in its attempt to reconcile things it is yet to fathom.

I was going to stay out of this but what the hey!

Praying in tongues:

I could site the references but we would be right back to the usual - those who understand can clearly see and those who do not want to understand, I could throw the Word at them and they still would not get it anyhow.

So, when praying in tongues -not the gift of a word from the Lord- but in a God given, prayed form, we do not know what we are speaking. Thus, we pray in perfect faith. Get it? Therefore, no doubt and backing up form the Will, only perfect Faith.

Now, to those who continue to say in a 'holier than all of you way,' "tongues in of da devil-ah..." I say, Stop sinning!

I pray that you get filled with the miraculous power and speak very loudly in all kinds of tongues. I pray that people come up to you and tell you that they understood what you said in their foreign language. I pray that happens quickly.

You won't hear me say something like, "you'll die a sinner" if you don't stop speaking against the Holy Ghost or that you are committing the unpardonable blah blah-

I offer to you Grace. God's awesome Grace! That He baptize you with the Holy Spirit so you can see for yourself you don't know everything. Now go do some study and stop being so "I know it all" and unteachable.

hi, everywhere the Holy Spirit fell on people there was evidence. conelius...we know that what we saw and heard... the upper room...etc. if you ask the Father for the Holy Spirit,He will give the Holy Spirit to you...as in salvation, it might not manifest with tongues imediately but you are not seeking tongues.This gift has been given to millions of people around the world freely by the Father.we all know that there have been mistakes made and misuses of tongues and this has understandably brought reproach on this move of the Holy Spirit as it did on the day of pentacost.to say you can pray in the spirit in english or your native tongue defies the sentence paul wrote clearly.i pray in the spirit and i pray in the understanding also...i know of many who asked for the Holy Spirit and received a supernatural infilling of the love of God and a greater zeal to help their fellow man receive Christ and years later spoke in tongues. len ravenhill always said that all preachers need to go into the woods and get on their faces before God and not come out til they have received the Holy Spirit with all that comes with Him. i realize that a young bible school student who just got filled and speaks in tongues is not to be compared with great men of God who never spoke in tongues but are used greatly by God...this event does not make me any better than anyone else it just helps me be better than i was...i needed all the help i could get and God sovereignly gave this to me with out me knowing what it was as a baptist evangelist who had no control over the lust of the eye.it changed my life...jimp
be filled with the Spirit speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Myth #1 – People who don’t speak in tongues can’t pray.

Baloney, yes they pray and sometimes they pray better than “spirit-filled” Christians. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ~ Romans 8.14

Myth #2 – People who don’t speak in tongues don’t have the Spirit of God.

Big, HUGE myth!! “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he DWELLETH WITH YOU, and SHALL BE IN YOU.” ~ John 14:17

Myth #3 – Those who do speak in tongues always pray in the Spirit.

Sadly, this is not true but myth #3. But then again those who speak in tongues aren’t always making a fool of themselves and God either! But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ~ John 1.12

Myth #4 – Divers kinds of tongues is the least of all the gifts.

Another myth; many of those who don’t speak in tongues like to placate themselves by saying that this is the least of all the gifts when in fact there is no gift that is the least when the Holy Ghost is involved. Verses 15 – 25 address this specifically.

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” ~ 1 Cor 12.11

Submitted humbly and God bless,
Lisa

How does this work? Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Who is the gifted One, it is not the Holy Spirit Comforter Teacher, it is Christ who is all the gifs given to men and the Holy Spirit is the teacher and the worker of These Gifts, and distributes them by His own will by what Jesus tells Him. As Jesus hears the Father, the Holy Spirit hears what is of Jesus and makes it manifest to the believer. Work the Gifts of Christ by the Holy Spirit as He will them to build up the body of Christ.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

"All things that the Father hath are mine:" This includes all the gifted One Jesus Christ Has of all the gifts for the building up of the Body, whom He gives them to the Holy Spirit to distribute them, "and shall shew it unto you".

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
1 Corinthians 12:11
Verse 11. But all these. All these various endowments.
Worketh. Produces. All these are to be traced to him.

That one and the selfsame Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Ac 2. They were all, though so different in themselves to be traced to the Holy Ghost, just as all the natural endowments of men--their strength, memory, judgment, etc.--though so various in themselves, are to be traced to the same God.

Dividing to every man severally. Conferring on each one as he pleases. He confers on each one that which he sees to be best and most wise and proper.

As he will. As he chooses; or as in his view seems best. Dr. Doddridge remarks, that this word does "not so much express arbitrary pleasure, as a determination founded on wise counsel." It implies, however, that he does it as a sovereign; as he sees to be right and best. He distributes these favours as to him seems best adapted to promote the welfare of the whole church, and to advance his cause. Some of the doctrines which are taught by this verse are the following:

(1.) The Holy Ghost is a person. For he acts as a person; distributes favours, confers endowments and special mercies "as he will." This proves that he is, in some respects, distinguished from the Father and the Son. It would be absurd to say of an attribute of God, that it confers favours, and distributes the various endowments of speaking with tongues, and raising the dead. And if so, then the Holy Ghost is not an attribute of God.

(2.) He is a sovereign. He gives to an as he pleases. In regard to spiritual endowments of the highest order, he deals with men as he does in the common endowments bestowed on men, and as he does in temporal blessings. He does not bestow the same blessings on an, nor make all alike. He dispenses his favours by a rule which he has not made known, but which, We may be assured, is in accordance with wisdom and goodness. He wrongs no one; and he gives to all the favours which might be connected with eternal life.

(3.) No man should be proud of his endowments. Whatever they may be, they are the gifts of God, bestowed by his sovereign will and mercy. But assuredly we should not be proud of that which is the mere gift of another; and which has been bestowed, not in consequence of any merit of ours, but according to his mere sovereign will.

(4.) No man should be depressed, or should despise his own gifts, however humble they may be. In their own place, they may be as important as the higher endowments of others. That God has placed him where he is, or has given less splendid endowments than he has to others, is no fault of his. There is no crime in it; and he should, therefore, strive to improve his "one talent," and to make himself useful in the rank where he is placed. And,

(5.) no man should despise another because he is in a more humble rank, or is less favoured than himself. God has made the difference, and we should respect and honour his arrangements, and should show that respect and honour by regarding with kindness, and treating as fellow-labourers with us, all who occupy a more humble rank than we do.

{c} "dividing to every man" 1Co 12:6

A man speaking in tongues can only speak if the Holy Spirit is doing the speaking in the believer and also the interpretation must come through a believer by the Same Spirit.

Nothing can build up the body of Christ except Christ and His words distributing His gifts to men through the Holy Spirit, then the build up of the Body is of God and not man.

How do we know it is the gift God wants for each believer in the body of Christ. It will build up the Body of Christ in the more excellent way, "LOVE".

Be ye filled and be ye willing when The Holy Spirit gives the gifts of Christ to the Body and you will know it is of The true gifts given to man. Christ in you the Hope of Glory. How much more do we need. This Christ in us the Gifted One giving the Spirit of God to the believer the gifts He wants each to have and when and How and where they will do His will in His Body.

In Christ: Phillip

In Christ; Phillip

A man speaking in tongues can only speak if the Holy Spirit is doing the speaking in the believer and also the interpretation must come through a believer by the Same Spirit.

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

Whan a person prays in tongues it is not as though the Holy Spirit takes over as if we were robots, nor is it that we must experience a special moving of the Holy Spirit at that moment in order to pray in tongues. The Holy Spirit abides in me, with me, more accurately I would say in communion with me through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 2 is an awesome description of this communion through which we can know in our spirit the hidden things of God and have the very mind of Christ on things.

When it is the operation of the gift of tongues and interpretation in operation then I would agree that we must have an unction from the Holy Spirit to do so. But to simply pray in tongues requires no such unction. And, a message in tongues and an interpretation will be delivered to me Spirit to spirit but will be filtered through my mind and body as it is spoken. I must choose to be obedient and speak what I am given to say.

I agree with most people on here who do have the gift of tongues. One thing we can agree on is the presence of the holy spirit makes our prayers more effective. This is why i guess we pray in tongues "we know not what we ought to pray for". I believe tongues are the least of gifts because without interetation they do not edify.

All gifts are from the same spirit but according to scripture some gifts are "greater" than other, this is not a personal opinion is and exegete.

1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

When I first got saved, I expeirienced such a revival. I had such a deliverance from an extreme sinful lifestyle. I simply fell in love with Christ. He poured out a huge measure of the Holy Ghost on me. I would weep often all day. In the public on subways, buses, work. I was so thankful. Sometimes I had to catch my breath because His holiness was so crippling. Sometimes I was in pain. He literally filled my small apartment with a huge amount of His goodness.

A few days after I got saved I was up all night thanking him. I remember making up a simple song just repeating thankyou Jesus I love you. I remember dancing and jumping in my home that night. I was so thrilled with Christ. I loved him so much that night.

He then decided to baptize me in fire. I began to worship in tounges. What an unction. What a difference took place that night. What an intamacy. funny thing was, i did'nt ask for it, i just loved God.

Growing up in nyc and coming from a very wicked life style. There was a battle immediately in the spirit over my faith. The problem for the enemy was. I loved Christ so much. As the trials came quick, I said often. Where will I go Lord. You hold the words of life.

One evening after work i began to sing in tounges on the way home. Immediately the enemy fired some darts. Right at my head. I was so discouraged. The lie, that my praise in tounges was not real. That my faith was not real. I t was strange.

It was a tuesday night and the Lord gave me a thought to attend the tuesday evening time square church service. so i went. Jack West preached that night as a guest. He was an old canadian pentescosatal holy ghost preacher. At that time in my life he was a favorite. He passed away about 10 years ago.

After service he always had a after service for those who want the baptism of the holy ghost to come down stairs under the stage. I felt like going, though i had the baptism. I was confused because of the lies of the enemy.

I went down. Maybe 12 people went down. There was a fire down there of praise. Everyone was filled. a man came over to me and said i have a word from the Lord for you. you do speaks in tounges, you are filled, stop listening to the lies of the enemy. continue to seek Jesus.

i was so blessed to recieve that word, maybe it was prophetic or a word of knowledge. it was real. i know that.

i believe the order of things is this. simply seek Christ. not tounges or gifts. fall in love with Christ. seek jesus, after all it is He who baptizes in fire.

Rainman,

By what you said, it seems that you don’t have the gift of speaking in other tongues. And I say this with a gentle voice and because your answer is the usual answer that people who don’t speak in tongues give about being the ‘least’ of the gifts.

At church, yes, the churches hearer’s needs to be edified. Speaking in tongues is so much more than doing “it” at church. When we speak or pray in tongues in our prayer closet, we may not understand but the FATHER understands (that’s enough for me) and so the speaker is definitely edified and built up.

Did you read 1 Cor 12 verses 13 – 21?

I’m not trying to start a fight (or debate), brother; And also, I apologize if there is a lack of clarity on my part and I didn't explain my side very well or perhaps too well!

God bless you!

Lisa

Rainman, By what you said, it seems that you don’t have the gift of speaking in other tongues. And I say this with a gentle voice and because your answer is the usual answer that people who don’t speak in tongues give about being the ‘least’ of the gifts. At church, yes, the churches hearer’s needs to be edified. Speaking in tongues is so much more than doing “it” at church. When we speak or pray in tongues in our prayer closet, we may not understand but the FATHER understands (that’s enough for me) and so the speaker is definitely edified and built up. Did you read 1 Cor 12 verses 13 – 21? I’m not trying to start a fight (or debate), brother; And also, I apologize if there is a lack of clarity on my part and I didn't explain my side very well or perhaps too well! God bless you! Lisa

I apologize if i didnt make my stance clear as i often forget to.

1. I maintain tongues is "least" amongst gifts because this is what the scripture says.

2. I am a firm believer in speaking in tongues. I speak in tongues most times when i pray as i often get to a point where i simply cant articulate what i have to say to God and then the Spirit gives my spirit the unction to pray and i speak in a blessed heavenly language. And what and experience it is to commune with the holy spirit.

3. Tongues is not the only gift the lord has blessed me with. I am also on occasion been able by the spirit to interpret and test spirits also. I believe everyone who can speak in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret also.

Testimony

I was in a prayer meeting a few years ago. Doctrinally i knew the whole church was in error as everyone was screaming out in tongues. Then i heard the voice of the lord tell me to listen to what the pastor was saying. In unbelief i said "i cant he is speaking in tongues and thats between you and him". Then all of a sudden i dont know how but i could understand what he was saying like it was English. His spirit was crying out forgiveness. When the pastor got round to praying in the understanding he was prophetically pronouncing blessing(he had no idea what his spirit was praying for). The Holy Spirit enabled me to experience such gifting as he was trying to make what he had taught me theologically a reality so i would better understand the things of the spirit.

4. So contrary to what you might think. I am not a cold hearted believer with only theology. In my experience theology and real power go hand in hand. if either is missing there is usually error around the corner.

5. Anywhere where a pastor gets on stage and speaks in tongues without interpretation such places are error prone and seldomly led of the spirit. If your pastor is scream tongues at you from the pulpit and you dont have a single person in the congregation who can interprete or test his prophesying your church is in error.

6. I dont mean to be condescending to anyone about speaking in tongues but as the bible says tongues are least amongst gifts. And most tongues i have encountered are not the authentic gift of the spirit. You dont even need to be able to interpret to know this. I grew up in churches that most tongues were either psychosymantically(unction from flesh) or demonically inspired. I have rarely ever met a believer that had a genuine infilling and persisted in believing damanble heresy and error.

Conclusion

it is very unlikely that where the holy spirit resides that tongues is the only gift given. Also the proportion in which tongue believing churches speak in tongues is very much outta balance just like the Corinth church.

I am indeed thankful that i have been so blessed by the gifts of the spirit and pray i never take his presense for granted less i be filled with pride and grieve him but to be SPIRITUAL without the holy spirit inspired teaching of Gods word leads either to intellectualism or some form of pagan emotionalsim either of which are just as dangerous.

1 john 2:
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

5I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

What a wonderful testimony, rainman; please forgive my callousness.

I agree with you on every single thing you posted except that tongues are the “least,” and I hope this doesn't put us at odds with each other. I think it's a matter of interpretation of the Scriptures because I can’t find a verse that says exactly that “the gift of tongues is the least of all the gifts;” and I also realize that there is no sense in beating a dead horse with this issue; it could produce bad feelings... I hope we are still brother and sister in the Lord. :)

Again, praise God for such a wonderful testimony that you have and...

God bless you!!

Lisa

I think it's a matter of interpretation of the Scriptures because I can’t find a verse that says exactly that “the gift of tongues is the least of all the gifts;”

Firstly i would say i have absolutely no animosity towards anything you said. I think i should have clarified the statement as "least amongst gifts" a bit more.
By implication it might mean literally that tongues is bottom of the gifts the holy spirit gives out but that isnt the context paul meant. All gifts are from him and are for his church. In context of what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 12&13&14 he was addressing the use of tongues and gifts in a corporate setting of worship and was addressing the use of gifts in a corporate environment. In 14 he urges us to seek the "greater gifts" but in context of what he was saying "greater gifts" was determined by what would edify the church the most in a corporate assembly. So because prophesy edifies the whole church and not just a single individual it is perceived by implication to be a "greater gift" by Paul and one that the out of order tongue blasting church should be zealously seeking. So in context both corporately and individually all gifts are a blessing.

The whole thing about the Corinth church is that they were focused so much on the least corporately edifying gift(tongues etc), at the expense of the greater corporately edifying gifts (prophesying, interpretation etc). So in a sense he wasn't saying tongues are the least gift literally. I use tongues in a corporate setting as a gauge of authenticity. If a congregation doesn't have members who can speak in tongues(in order with interpretation), but has members who can prophesy(teach and expound) Gods word then something is obviously wrong. I can accept that there have been great teachers of Gods word in recent times that did not speak in tongues. I would not hold that against them. But if i found out that such a man of God, didnt speak in tongues and forbade tongues altogether i would burn any literature i had of him as it is a huge red warning sign. The apostles had virtually all the gifts and while these days i can accept a overseer only having a few gifts i find it worrying when there are no gifts all together in such assemblies.

Anyway we can agree to disagree on this one , lysa.

Stay Blessed and continue to build yourself in your most holy faith, by praying in the holy ghost

rainman

one of the best and most honest dealt with articles on this subject i have found this following article, it just deals with scripture in a childlike manner. It has blessed me much so i thought id share it here for you all.

The Truth About Speaking In Tongues - Zac Poonen
"Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation (change)" (James. 1:17).

God never makes a mistake, He never changes and He gives only perfect gifts. Therefore when He gave the gift of "speaking in unknown languages" ("tongues") to the church on the day of Pentecost, He knew exactly what He was doing. The gift of "tongues" was a perfect gift. God has not changed His mind about the gift, for He never changes.

God knew the controversies that would surround this gift in the 20th century. Yet He felt the church needed this gift to fulfill its ministry.

Even major truths such as the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, the Humanity of Christ and the Person of the Holy Spirit have been opposed and have faced controversy in the history of Christendom. So it should not surprise us if the gift of "tongues" has been controversial too.

It is always best to stick exactly to what Scripture says on all doctrinal matters. Let us look then, with an unprejudiced mind, at every single verse in the Bible on the subject of "speaking in tongues":

Truth No. 1
Mark 16:17: [Jesus said,] "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Jesus said that some of the signs accompanying the company of "those who have believed" would be speaking in tongues, casting out demons and healing the sick. He did not say that ALL these signs would accompany EVERY believer. But He said that these signs would be found among the company of "those who have believed".

So every believer need not have all these gifts. Neither need every church have all these gifts. But they will be found in the whole church worldwide. The Holy Spirit sovereignly decides whom to give the gifts to.

Truth No. 2
Acts 2:4,7,11: "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance....... And the Jews from every nation marvelled saying....`We hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.'"

The first time that believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, they ALL spoke in tongues. The "tongues" were languages that others understood immediately. So there was no need for the gift of interpretation.

Notice also in verse 4 that it was the persons themselves who began to speak in tongues and not the Holy Spirit. The Spirit did not move their tongues. The Spirit only gave them utterance. They spoke themselves.

In no gift, does the Holy Spirit take away freedom of choice from us. In fact, the fruit of the Spirit is "self-control" (Gal.5:23). Only demon-possessed people lose control of themselves. One who is filled with the Spirit will have more control over himself than anyone else. "The spirit of the prophets is subject to the control of the prophets"
(1 Cor.14:32).

Truth No. 3
Acts 10:46: "They were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God."

Here, in the house of Cornelius, all who were in his house were baptized in the Holy Spirit, at the same moment as they were converted to Christ. They spoke in "tongues" exalting God (praising Him) - not speaking to people, as was the case on the day of Pentecost.

Truth No. 4
Acts 19:6: "When Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying"

The Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Ephesus, when Paul laid hands on them. The "tongues" here seems to have been prophesying.

Note the following facts from the above instances in "Acts":

(a) In Acts 2 they received the Spirit, after water baptism. In Acts 10, they received the Spirit BEFORE water baptism.
(b) In Acts 2 and 10, they received the Spirit without anyone laying hands on them. In Acts 19, they received the Spirit after Paul laid hands on them.
(This proves that there is no standard pattern for receiving the Spirit. It could be either before or after water-baptism, and also with or without the laying on of hands).
(c) In Acts 8:14-18, when the disciples in Samaria received the Holy Spirit, there is no mention that they spoke in tongues. But Simon the magician did see some evidence (we are not told what it was) which made him want the same ability that Peter had.

Truth No. 5
1 Cor. 12:7,8,10: "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit... to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues."

The gift of tongues is for "the common good" - the good of the church. This was written 25 years after the day of Pentecost. And the gift of tongues was still being given then by the Spirit "for the common good".

Truth No. 6
1 Cor.12:11: "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills".

This is perhaps the clearest Scripture that teaches that the Holy Spirit sovereignly decides to whom to give each gift (including the gift of tongues). We cannot dictate to Him whom He should give any gift to.

Truth No. 7
1 Cor. 12:28: "God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then... various kinds of tongues."

It is God Who appointed the gift of tongues in the church - for some purpose. So we should never oppose this gift, lest we be found opposing God. Remember that He has more wisdom than we have.

Truth No. 8
1 Cor. 12:30: "All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?"

All believers do not speak in tongues, just like all believers do not have the gifts of healing. So obviously, God does not feel that "tongues" is an essential gift for all believers - either for being holy or for being effective in His service. If it were, He would have given this gift to everyone.

Truth No. 9
1 Cor. 13:1: "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."

Speaking in tongues without love is useless. All pride in those who speak in tongues, and all "looking down" on others who don't speak in tongues is because of a lack of love. Such unloving believers who speak in tongues are as repulsive to God as a noisy gong is to us.

Truth No. 10
1 Cor. 13:8: "Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away."

When perfection comes at Christ's return, there will be no more need for speaking in tongues.
In heaven, there will be no need for "tongues" - just like there will be no more need for Bible-knowledge or prophecy.

So "tongues" is a temporary gift needed only under the imperfect conditions prevalent on earth.
This explains why Jesus never needed the gift of tongues. It was because His mind was perfectly pure and because He lived in perfect communion with His Father at all times,

Truth No. 11
1 Cor. 14:2: "One who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries."

The gift of tongues mentioned here is obviously different from the one manifested on the day of Pentecost - for this gift is not to "speak to men but to God" and no-one can understand what the speaker is saying.

Truth No. 12
1 Cor. 14:4: "One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself
The gift of tongues enables a believer to build himself up spiritually.

Truth No. 13
1 Cor. 14:5: "I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?"

Paul wished that ALL spoke in tongues. This is yet another verse that clearly indicates that all believers do NOT speak in tongues.

Paul's wish here is similar to his wish that ALL should be single like he himself was (as he states earlier in the same letter - 1 Cor.7:7). Paul saw some benefits in being single. He also saw some benefits in speaking in tongues. But Paul recognised that just as God was sovereign in giving the "gift of being single" only to some believers, He was equally sovereign in giving the "gift of tongues" also only to some believers.

Therefore it is as foolish to expect all believers to speak in tongues as it is to expect all believers to be single!!

In the church-meeting, it is far better to prophesy (that is, to speak God's Word "to encourage, edify and console" others - 1 Cor. 14:3). If however a 'tongue' is interpreted, then it is equal to prophecy.

Truth No. 14
1 Cor. 14:9,13: "Unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear (understandable), how will it be known what is spoken?...Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret."
"Tongues" must be interpreted when used in a church meeting.

Truth No. 15
1 Cor. 14:14: "If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. What is the outcome then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind. I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind."

When praying in tongues, a person cannot understand what he is praying. But Paul still felt that he should pray and sing "with the spirit" (in tongues), as much as he did with his mind (in a known language).

Truth No. 16
1 Cor. 14:18: "I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all." Paul was thankful to God for this gift. So it must have helped him.

Truth No. 17
1 Cor. 14:19: "However, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue."
In the church, speaking in a known language is always the best.

Truth No. 18
1 Cor. 14:22: "Tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers"
Tongues are for a sign to unbelievers - as on the day of Pentecost.

Truth No. 19
1 Cor. 14:23: "If therefore the whole church should assemble together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?"

It is madness for all to speak in tongues in a church-meeting - for no one will understand what anyone is saying. (This must obviously be referring to people speaking in tongues individually and not when all are praying together - for in the latter case, we do not listen to the prayers of even those who pray in a known tongue.)

Truth No. 20
1 Cor. 14:26, 27: "What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and let one interpret;"

Not more than two or three should speak in tongues in a meeting of the church, but each "tongue" must be interpreted. "Interpretation" is not the same as "translation". Translation is "word for word". Interpretation is "expressing the thought in one's own words".

Truth No. 21
1 Cor. 14:39: "Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues."

This then is the conclusion. Don't forbid the exercise of the gift of tongues. But if you are desiring a gift, seek for the gift of prophecy more than for the gift of tongues.

The True And The Counterfeit

There is a certain amount of mystery about the gift of tongues, as all those who have received the gift will acknowledge - if they are honest. We do not know everything about it. We know only in part (1 Cor.13:12).

As one who has spoken in tongues for the past 26 years, let me add a few words concerning what I presently understand about the gift, from my own experience.

When a person speaks in tongues, his spirit (heart) speaks forth syllables (directly from his heart to his mouth, bypassing his mind) and thus he pours out whatever is in his heart to God - whether that be an overflow of joy or a burden caused by sorrow or discouragement. Thus the pressure on his heart is relieved. That is how he is 'edified'

As we saw earlier in Acts 2:4, when anyone speaks in tongues, it is the person himself who speaks, and not the Holy Spirit. The believer forms the syllables himself, just as he does when speaking in a known language. The only difference is that now, he does NOT use a known language to pray, but concentrating on the Lord, speaks forth syllables with his mouth, straight from his heart, bypassing his mind - knowing that God understands the longings and pressures in his heart, even if he cannot understand himself what he is saying.

Unburdening himself like that in moments of pressure helps a believer, especially if his mind is too tired to pray in a known language. We may not be able to explain how this works, but it does.

Let us now look at the gift of interpretation: As we have already seen, interpretation of a tongue is equivalent to prophesying. So this gift will usually be given by the Spirit to one who has the gift of prophecy as well.

In a church-meeting, if someone speaks in a tongue, one of those having the gift of prophecy (usually one of the elders), if he is walking in the light of God, will find a thought being impressed on his mind, if the "tongue" is genuinely from God. He speaks forth that thought in his own words - for it is not a translation, but an interpretation.

If another elder (who also has the gift of interpretation) had interpreted the "tongue", the interpretation would have been the same (although couched in that elder's own words). This would be the case if both elders were in perfect touch with the Lord.

Since no revelation from God can contradict what is written in the Bible, the interpretation will be in accordance with Scripture - just like all true prophecy will also be in line with the Scriptures.

Some who are sceptical of spiritual gifts have asked this question: If a "tongue" that was interpreted in a meeting, is copied on to a tape and someone else (with the gift of interpretation) in another p lace is asked to interpret it, will the interpretation be the same as the first one? The answer is: It should be, if both interpreters had a perfect understanding of the mind of the Lord. If the interpretation is different in content, (and not just in words), that would only indicate that one or both interpreters are not in such perfect touch with the Lord as to understand His mind perfectly. That is not abnormal, because no believer in the world is in such perfect touch with the Lord as to know His mind perfectly.

The following example will prove this fact beyond any doubt: Suppose you have to speak in a meeting and you have a particular message on your heart which you feel is the burden of the Lord for that meeting. Then, if you are unable to be at that meeting and someone else speaks in your stead, strictly speaking, he should give the same message as you had on your heart (even if it be in his own words). If that brother doesn't give the same message as you had on your heart, it would indicate that one of you did not have a perfect understanding of the Lord's mind for that meeting. So we see that believers could fail such a test even when giving a message in a known language.

That's why the Bible tells us to judge even a prophet's message (1 Cor.14:29). Similarly, we should judge, all messages in "tongues" and their "interpretations". What should we judge in such cases? Just this: Whether our spirit witnesses that the utterance (prophecy, tongues or interpretation) was Scriptural (and from the Lord) or not.

We are warned (in 1 John 4:1) not to believe every spirit but to "test the spirits whether they are of God". So every time, we hear "tongues" or interpretation in public, we must test it in our spirits. Many of the "supernatural utterances" we hear may not be from God. We must always reject a prophecy (or any part of it), a "tongue", or an interpretation, if we feel uneasy about it in our spirits, for any reason.

It is the unquestioning acceptance of everything supernatural and abnormal that has brought tremendous confusion into Christendom in this century - and tremendous dishonor to the Lord's Name as well.

Notice these facts in all instances of speaking in tongues in "Acts" :

(a) In every case, the speaking in tongues was spontaneous;
(b) In every case, all spoke in tongues - there were no exceptions;
(c) In every case, there was no coaching or urging or instruction given on how to speak in tongues;

Today however, in most places, none of the above characteristics are found. Only where the gift of tongues is spontaneously received without any coaching, can we conclude that it could be genuine.

Of all the "speaking in tongues" that I have heard, my spirit has borne witness to only a small percentage of it as genuine. Most of the rest I have felt was an attempt to imitate the gift - either to be accepted by others in a group or to impress them. A small percentage could even be of demonic origin. My observations are based on the fruit and the results that I have seen in the lives of many people in many lands. Speaking and singing in tongues often appears to be a form of "exhibitionism" in many churches - and exhibitionism is characteristic of little children.

It is also a well-established fact that, at this present time, the maximum exploitation of believers for financial gain is practised by those preachers and pastors who claim to "speak in tongues". Most of the cults in the 20th century have also developed from tongue-speaking groups.

My advice to all believers therefore is: "Avoid churches that major on the gifts of tongues and healing - because many of them go to dangerous extremes and usually don't have spiritually-minded leaders. Seek instead for fellowship with a church that emphasises holiness and disciple-making primarily, that accepts the genuine gift of tongues and that does not covet your money or seek to control your life."

Let me also emphasise that we need to use our mind (renewed by the Holy Spirit) if we are to understand God's will and His Word aright (Rom.12:2). Many believers tend to despise their minds. Our mind is to be like a wife. She should not be the head of the home. But she should not be killed either!! Jesus is our husband and head. Our mind should be submissive to Him through our heart.

In a nutshell then, here is a bit of sane advice on "tongues":

"If God gives you the gift of tongues, receive it and exercise it. Speak forth the syllables from your heart to God when you are alone with Him - anywhere - and especially when your heart is under pressure (through discouragement) or overflowing with joy. If you don't have the gift, don't worry about it. But be open to the Lord to receive it, at all times. Don't be against it and don't get into a frenzy to receive it. God will give it to you, if He wants you to have it, without any frenzy on your part. At the same time, don't believe that everything you see and hear in Christendom is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Test everything. Use your God-given faculties of discernment. If you don't have the gift of tongues, don't consider yourself inferior to those who have it. And if you do have the gift, don't imagine that it makes you spiritual or superior to those who don't have it. (Paul and the Corinthian Christians both spoke in tongues. But Paul was a spiritual giant, while the Corinthians were carnal!!)."

What Is Absolutely Essential

What is absolutely essential for all of us is to be endued with the Holy Spirit's power. It is power, and not speaking in tongues that is the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit is to be received by faith (Jn.7:37-39), just as we received the forgiveness of our sins - on the basis of Christ's merit alone, and not on our own merit. We do not receive the Gift of the Spirit by fasting or praying or by any other work. He is a Gift (Acts 2:38).

We ask and receive - immediately by faith - and go forth believing in God's promise that He gives the Holy Spirit more readily to those who ask Him, than any earthly father would give food to a hungry son (Lk.11:13). If we are unsure about having received the Spirit, we can ask God to give us an assurance. He will not deny us such an assurance.

But we need to be filled with the Spirit continually (because we are leaky vessels - Eph.5:18), just like we need to be forgiven continually (because we sin - often without knowing it - Matt.6:12).

The devotion of our heart to Christ is far more important than our speaking in tongues. "Do you love Me more than everything else?", was our Lord's question to Peter, before commissioning him for His service. Arguments about "speaking in tongues" are therefore a diversion arranged by Satan to sidetrack believers from total devotion to Christ.

The greatest Christians in the world have been those who loved the Lord Jesus supremely - whether they spoke in tongues or not. Some like Peter, James, John and Paul spoke in tongues. Others like John Wesley, Charles Finney, D.L.Moody, A.B.Simpson, William Booth, C.T.Studd and Watchman Nee never spoke in tongues (as far as we know). But they all received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, they all loved the Lord with all their hearts and they ALL walked the way of the cross. These truths were central in their lives. Other things were secondary.

Let us follow their example and we won't go wrong..

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Zac Poonen

Christian: Thank you very much brother for that post.

coaching...I dont believe is necessary. Most all of it is, in my opinion, plain goofy. however we do live in a body that is not glorified with a brain that often balks at spiritual things. Did you ever struggle with obeying God and somehow came up with all sorts of justification not to? So to instruct that God will not bodily seize control of our mouth and that we will have to speak out in faith the words or syllables we find coming to our mind is in my opi9nion entirely appropriate as is encouragement to step in faith.

One should not worry about syllables being of God or of the mind. Believe Jesus in luke 11:13. Walk in faith, not fear. There is great grace for the son or daughter who does so.

My concern is now if it was just "coerced" or not. After reading and much encouragement and discussion with friends that it is no longer needed. In the back of my mind I have always believed it is a real gift. But wonder if I had it. I haven't spoke it in years, once and a while I will have the "syllables" come up but I am not sure if that is flesh or true unction. To me I would think the gift would be given and not coached or taught. Anyone ever heard of others teaching how to speak in tongues

This is the same thing that happened to me. I was in a pentecostal church for years that coached tongues. Everyone blasted in tongues in prayer all at the same time. It was so disorderly that at times you couldnt pray as people next to you would be shouting in tongues. I began to doubt if that church was inline with biblical teachings and if myself or anyone else had the authentic gift. Well i realised i was under a false teacher and left. But while i was there i still believed the gift of tongues existed and kept on badgering the lord until he gave me authentic gifts. I have learnt not to let the counterfeit discourage me from having faith to receive the authentic gifts of the spirit

stay blessed