Why is speaking in tongues in the modern church a doctrine of the devil?

Question

My Pastor claims that the gift of tongues was only for use by the church until the bible was complete, and after the word of God was complete, tongues ceased to be a gift given by God. He says that any so called christian in today's last day church who speaks in tongue is either a carnal christian who has fallen away from the truth to indulge in the flesh, or is a demon possessed unbeliever who is being used by Satan to usher in the great falling away of the last days. I have a few friends who seem to be good Christians who speak in tongues, and I am therefor of two minds on the matter. What should I tell my pastor? I realize the scriptures seem to back him up, but is he taking the bible to literally and going to far?

Answer 1

It's called a speech impediment!
Allan

Answer 2

Because the modern version of "speaking in tongues" is completely different than what happened in Acts 2. There, the disciples spoke and everyone there from many nations understood what was being spoken. These days, anyone can make gibberish and claim that they have a spiritual gift. Your pastor also might point out that Satan is the master counterfitter. This is a gift that is named in the Bible, but what they are doing these days is certainly not biblical.
Also, those who worshipped pagan deities in Greece and other places used "estatic utterances" like what modern tongues is to worship their own gods. Therefore, a pagan worship practice in the Holy church is apostacy.
Some have claimed that practicing this modern version of tongues leads directly to demon possession and oppression. (Just look at how some of these people act. Freaky!)
I don't go this far, but am open to the idea. By the way, there is lots that suggests that tongues is a gift that might have passed away. I'm open to the idea that they are still around, but I don't think I've ever seen it. Ask me why!

Answer 3

I am certainly not an expert on this, but I'm not sure that it is a tool of Satan. The Bible says that only a few can speak in tongues, but that it edifies no one but the person speaking in tongues. I don't really understand it, but that's what I recall reading. I WOULD, however, talk to another Pastor, maybe one from an Evangelical Church, or contact someone on say, the 700 Club or the Inspiration Network. If you are a Christian, and I believe you are, you probably hang out with other Christians. Ask them for advice, or someone else who you could talk to. I hope I was a help to you. Hallsie

Answer 4

Nothing in the Bible indicates that any of the gifts have been removed. My uncle had the gift of tongues. As long as it is done properly it is a good thing. The proper way, is that at least two people must be able to interpret what is being said and it is to be done in a way that is not disruptive.

The only time I heard of my uncle speaking in tongues, he stood up in the middle of church, the pastor had asked for any praises or prayer requests so it was more or less an open forum, and he started speaking in French. To the day that he died he never learned a word of French on his own. He spoke for several moments in fluent French, then sat down again. Two woman in the church burst into tears, one of them while running out. The other woman told the pastor, and my uncle, that she and the lady that ran out had been feuding. Their feud was spreading through the church and threatening to cause a divide, and he had rebuked them for it in the most beautiful French she had ever heard.

Answer 5

I believe the modern church does not truly understand the gift of tongues. I almost agree with your pastor that it is not a gift currently used today. The reason I say almost is because I have never been in a church were it was used. I will not limit the power of God by saying He will not use it today. I do not know. He may simply be holding off or using in very limited format. However, you can put it to the test in churches that use it, if they do not have an interpreter, than they are not speaking in tongues.

edited--
A Straussman, and Mesatratah said, I believe tongues to be spoken in a current language spoken by people. I say current, because those we do not speak in do not need translation for people who have never heard the word of God.

Answer 6

Good question this is something to think about. I will definitely try to get back to you on this question. I will continue to check for others answers. I really don't understand "speaking in tongues". However, I do believe that it is a gift giving by God ... led by the Holy Spirit and is the evidence that the Holy Spirit is with you. Although, I do believe at the same time, that "speaking in tongues" is something that Satan can use to cause deception as well ...

When it comes to approaching your pastor ... it should be out of respect. Pray before you approach him and ask God to show you what to say if anything.

Answer 7

Your pastor is incorrect. Speaking in tongues, while not given as often by the Holy Spirit as before (I am assuming), is still given to some. I've met Christians who have had experiences with both speaking and understanding tongues (and who have had no reason to lie to me about their experiences).

The reason that speaking in tongues has gotten such a terrible rap is that it's the easiest one to mimic and misuse -- just babble some gibberish, and you can say you're speaking in tongues. However, the frequent false claims to this gift are no reason for anybody, including your pastor, to discount the gift entirely.

The best way to know whether or not a person really has the gift of tongues is to see how that person uses the gift. If he/she claims to pray privately to God via an unknown tongue, then that's fine -- no harm done. If he/she starts speaking in tongues publicly or uncontrollably, however, that's not a good sign because the gift is only meant to be used when there are people around who can understand the tongue being spoken. So, if a person is speaking in tongues and just making a spectacle of himself/herself, that's not the mark of the true gift. But, if a person speaks in tongues in the presence of an interpreter, that may be legitimate.

So, if you have friends who claim to speak in tongues privately, that's no big deal, and I wouldn't challenge them on it. If you have friends who are speaking tongues in church, however, then they should be following the protocols given by Paul in 1 Cor 12-14 to regulate their using the gift in such a setting. If they aren't, then you might have cause to worry.

Answer 8

There is scripture backing up speaking in tongues. No-where does it say it was only used until the Bible was complete and after it would be of the devil. He's wrong. There are a lot of preachers that don't believe it because they don't teach and understand it. It in no-way makes it wrong.
Trust me - it is a real gift and it is from God. It is not made up and is not of the devil. I have been able to do it for 20 years.
It is a wonderful gift from God and I suggest he re-read it in the Bible, or just not talk about it at all.

Answer 9

Speaking in Tongues is one of the "Fruits of the Spirit". The Bible is quite specific upon when the Gift are manifest. One of the conditions is that it be appropriate.

The Bible states that God considers it to be an unpardonable sin, if one ascribe to Satan, something which He (God) did.

Questions to look at:
* How many people in the audience speak it as their first language?
* How many people in the audience speak the language at all?
* Is the message specifically directed at those people?
* Does what is spoken harmonize with the Gospel?

* If nobody in the audience speaks the language, then you are hearing nothing more than babbling.
* If the message is not for the people who speak the language, then you are dealling with people who babble.
* If the message does not harmonize with the Gospels, then you are dealing with demon possession.

What might surprise you, is the number of TV Evangelists who are demon possessed. I did not keep the transcripts, but some quotes were:
* "Don't you see that I offer nothing but false promises?";
* "The Bible is pack of lies. I know that because Lucifer told me that";
* "Get as much pleasure as you can on Earth, because I am leading you straight into the pits of Hell;"
* "Are you idiots? Don't you see I want nothing but your money?";

Answer 10

Well, the Bible does not say that the gifts would pass away. It does say that God is no respecter of persons. so it would seem odd that after stating that the gifts are for all men to edify the body of Christ that God would then remove them. However, there are many churches and denominations that misuse the gifts and make claims about them which are plainly and simply wrong. Study up on what God's word DOES say about the gifts and then you can tell if your friends are being mislead, but your pastor is wrong.

Answer 11

I was given the Gift of Tongues when I went to Thailand as a missionary and taught about Jesus Christ in the Thai language. A new language to me.

I don't believe in gibberish talking with no interpreters. That is either silly or satanic.

Your pastor feels that God no longer gives gifts. I am sorry for your church. It must lack the gift of spirit.