Why are so many people afraid of speaking in tongues when it is a gift from the Holy Spirit?

Answer 1

I don't know about anybody afraid of it. I do know that nobody can do it today.

Miraculous gifts were passed on through the laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts 8:17-19). This was a temporary gift, for the purpose of building up the church until revelation was complete (1 Corinthians 13:10).

"Speaking in tongues," according to the Bible, was speaking in an existing language that the speaker had never learned (Acts 2:4-11). I always ask modern "tongue speakers" if they ever 'speak in tongues' when they are by themselves. Most will say yes; this isn't miraculous 'speaking in tongues,' according to the Bible (1 Corinthians 14:22). "Losing control of oneself" was not a sign of the Holy Spirit, but demon possession.

Answer 2

Spiritual gifts, miracles, and signs have been done away with for thousands of years now. The only ones who had spiritual gift and were able to pass those on, were the Apostles. Only when given to a person by an Apostle, did one receive a spiritual gift. But the Apostles are all dead, and have been for some two thousand years and more. People today that claim to "speak in tongues"--- it's gibberish. Speaking in tongues in the day of the Apostles simply meant they were talking in a living language that they had not been taught in or talked in before. Tongues=Language, not gibberish! And note that most that claim to have such an ability never seem to have an interpreter, and people were told in the first century church to not use such abilities unless there is one who is able to interpret. There is no such thing as speaking in tongues today.

Answer 3

People who speak in tongues today are fakers. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit but the apostles received it so they could preach to others in foreign lands and would be understood. The apostles were priests and bishops. These silly people that say they can speak in tongues are liars. What purpose would they have with such a gift even if they could receive it?? There is no one there who can understand the language of "gibberish".

Answer 4

Who is a-scared?

You are right it is a gift from God. He will not give you a gift you don't want, there's nothing to be afraid of.

Remember when you pray in tongues it is to edify you, your Spirit and can be done in your "prayer closet," on your way to work in your private vehicle or quietly (whispers or lower) when around others.

In a Church setting if there's no one to interpret, it's is chaos and it's wrong. The scriptures are clear.

Here's some scriptures on it...

Acts 2:4-11:
4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,[a] as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 Godly Jews from many nations were living in Jerusalem at that time. 6When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were beside themselves with wonder. "How can this be?" they exclaimed. "These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born! 9 Here we are--Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!"

Acts 10:46
And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.Then Peter asked,

1 Corinthians 14:2
For if your gift is the ability to speak in tongues, [ Or in unknown languages; also in 14:4, 5, 13, 14, 18, 22, 28, 39.] you will be talking to God but not to people, since they won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.

1 Corinthians 14:5
I wish you all had the gift of speaking in tongues, but even more I wish you were all able to prophesy. For prophecy is a greater and more useful gift than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church can get some good out of it.

1 Corinthians 14:13
So anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation in order to tell people plainly what has been said.

1 Corinthians 14:22
So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14:39
So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues.

What an amazing gift from God.

Answer 5

I speak different languages.
Do you know what it is to speak in tongues by the Holy Spirit is?
Is to speak in every language at the same time, were everyone in the world will understand, at the same time.
Acts 19

Answer 6

What makes you think that we are afraid to do it? Paul said that not everyone will receive the same gifts of the spirit -- which means that not everyone CAN speak in tongues. Why do Charismatics insist on slandering people who cannot speak in tongues? Why do you slander people who have received other gifts by saying that we are "afraid" or have "hidden sin"?

Answer 7

Because many have used their gifts in a way that is unloving. Many congregations who speak in tongues have caused those who don't to feel as if their faith is insufficient (Paul in Corinthians where he gives instructions on the spiritual gifts says without love our gifts can be like a clanging cymbal). i've also never seen tongues exercised properly with interpretation. It usually creates a chaotic scene where unbelievers are confused, young believers are scared (ie: some of my youth kids were really freaked out), and we focus more on the gift instead of the Giver of the gift (our Lord Christ).

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 8

Because most people, including Christians, fear what they don't understand. Most people don't understand what it means or what is happening if someone prays or speaks in tongues.

There's also a difference in praying and speaking in tongues. Praying in tongues is for every believer. Speaking in tongues is for those God gives this gift to, to be spoken in front of the church, but always with an interpreter.

Answer 9

Maybe because they do not believe in the Holy Spirit, or they may be concerned that this did not come from the Holy Spirit, or perhaps they don't understand what they are saying, etc. Plus hundreds of other simple explanations.

Answer 10

Because it sounds like that girl on the Exorcist! Creepy! Anyway, I think that the Holy Spirit can speak English.