Speaking in Tongues...?

Question

From a previous question someone asked I am curious about peoples thoughts on speaking in tongues.
I have seen many say it is not of God, or that these tongues are just different languages, but I disagree with this.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual"

What are your thoughts?

President: that is great that you have found something that makes you so happy :)

To one of the posters, I actually went to the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, after they broke away from the Vineyard churches.
I saw many great things come from that church, and never heard a single person bark. I did see people feel free to praise and worship God in their own unique ways.
I also saw some things that I didn't agree with, but I do not hold the entire church accountable for a few people.

Answer 1

I am a Catholic; a very devout and very traditional old-fashioned Catholic. So I believed for years that people who prayed in tongues were crazy. And that Catholics who prayed in tongues were even crazier. I did not believe that anyone could be a true and devout Catholic and still claim to pray in tongues. The last thing I ever would have considered was praying in tongues myself!

But God decided to set me straight, so three years ago in prayer, He gave me the gift of tongues.

I have learned so much during these past three years, and have truly tried to be open to the charisms of the Holy Spirit. Though I find myself unworthy, still God is using my acceptance and openness to change not only my life, but He's using me to change the lives of others. (For that sweet Lord I praise You and thank You!)

When we pray in tongues, it is a special language of love between God and us. Who would not want a gift like that?

This quote says it better than I ever could.

"The gift of tongues is a prayer language and a means of growing in union with God. Tongues can also be a form of prayer for deliverance from evil for others or oneself. If you have received the gift of praying in tongues, you will find it a very effective weapon against evil spirits. When the Holy Spirit prays through you in tongues, you are allowing him to intercede through you." -Peter Mason, SFO

Answer 2

There are two kinds of spirits. The Holy Spirit and the unholy. Both can impart the gift of tongues.

The biblical gift of tongues is a valid language. This is called xenolalia. People speak in an actual language they do not know. People who speak that language have their faith bolstered by this gift. They understand the message from God.

As in Acts chapter 2.

I know this is genuine. It happened to me once at a Catholic Charismatic mass. I just started talking. It just came out. It was freaky. But a guy two seats over understood what I was saying. His jaw dropped open. Then he thanked me.

The practice of "glossolalia" or "happy babbling" is not biblical. This is the unholy spirit. Something many charismatic movements give into without discernment.

It's basically baby talk. People just mimic other languages they've heard and jumble things together.

This started with the Vineyard Churches. Particularly the airport church in Canada. These people also bark like dogs and laugh uncontrollably. Many Christians have claimed this to be demonic. The so called "Toronto Blessing."

This is why, in 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us NOT to speak in tongues unless someone is edified by it. If this is the genuine gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit, somone in the room will understand and benefit.

1 Cor 14:1-25

Glossolalia scares people away from the church. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 14.

Answer 3

I think God still shows people things (prophesy) and I think there are people who speak in tongues (languages) while under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The problem I have with your mother, from what you tell us, is that she brags about these things. Pride is a sin. And she sounds prideful or possibly she needs attention, I don't know. If she is reading your diary and watching you in church (when she should be focusing on worshiping God) then she is also wrong and manipulative. Speaking in tongues and prophesy/visions were some of the gifts of the Spirit Jesus promised we would have. Unfortunately, these things have been misused by people until they have a negative connotation for most people. But there are those with pure motives and hearts close to God who still have these gifts!! Thank God for that....((Hugs))

Answer 4

I am skeptical of anyone "speaking in tongues".

The Apostles spoke in tongues in order for the good news of Jesus Christ to be spread to people of all nations. This is not what I see being done today. Paul also said that if someone was to speak in tongues in public, there must be an interpretation of what is said.

"Speaking in tongues" is something that can be easily faked or can be the result of psychological manipulation.

I have seen other signs of the Holy Spirit (wisdon, understanding, right judgement, courage, reverence, and wonder and awe) that are much clearer signs of the Holy Spirit in someone's life.

Answer 5

The following verses are an explanation of what happens when a person is speaking in tongues.

ACTS 2:1-11
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that EVERY MAN HEARD THEM SPEAK IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, WE DO HEAR THEM SPEAK IN OUR OWN TONGUES, the wonderful works of God.

Answer 6

It is trivial compared to more important Christian qualities and fruits of the spirit.

Paul also said, it matters not if you speak in tongues and do all the miracles of the world and have no love in your heart.

Answer 7

This doesn't have anything to do with the gift of tongues.

Consider this- at Pentecost, when Peter spoke in tongues, it COULD NOT HAVE BEEN UNINTELLIGIBLE.
Why?
Because everyone heard him speak in THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.

Does THAT sound like what's happening in some churches today?
I think NOT.

Answer 8

I have spoken in tongues after a long night at my local watering hole. I might have even made up a language or two.

Answer 9

The text you refer to is not about speaking in tongues (languages) it's about the quality of the ideas you are expressing (regardless of what language you use to express them in.)

Answer 10

Tongues by which the disciples were filled with in the upperoom are what made them become apostles in a moments time. Please don't dismiss what you do not understand. God bless you.<><