Why do christians think that speaking in "tongues" means they're speaking in god's language?

Question

Speaking in tongues would just mean you know how to speak many different languages, wouldn't it? Have you never heard foreign language referred to as a foreign tongue?

Answer 1

Regardless of what Christians believe or others suppose they know; this is what the Bible says about speaking in tongues:

"For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit."

"He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church."

"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?"

"For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."

I Corinthians 14:2,4-6,13-19

So you are welcome to imagine and theorize all you want, but these are the facts as stated by the Apostle Paul.

Answer 2

Yes and no. There are several references to speaking in tongues throughout the Bible, and the gift of tongues is mostly taken with the gift of prophecy.

Christian theologians themselves are conflicted on the absolute meaning, as it could mean (like you said) a different language that one hasn't known before (beneficial to tribal ministry), speaking multiple languages at the same time (as in the beginning of Acts and throughout Acts), or speaking in the tongues of angels (as stated in Corinthians). Those are the three basic ideas, the first being similar to the second.

The last reference to tongues in Corinthians is speaking to God directly as a form of worship. The rest of the references in Corinthians refer to speaking in the tongues of men and angels, and it is considered a terrible sin if there is no translator present.

But the differing view is in Acts where speaking in tongues is mentioned in a missionary sense, the only difference being that one is not actually speaking in a different language but the individual is hearing it in a different language. Think the Left Behind movies and books. Which is also associated directly with prophecy, as the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy are mentioned together as gifts.

Charismatic churches take it way to far. There isn't a lot of Biblical basis for charismatic churches since the gift is mostly mentioned as an object of worship or evangelizing, and a translator needs to be present within the church.

There are personal testimonies for each, which makes it even more confusing.

So basically, because of Corinthians.

Answer 3

" tongues" is a language that person speaking it does not understand. It is a gift that is given from God and is a way to communicate when our words are simply not enough. Someone present will interpret.

This isn't an easy question to answer, I do not have this gift (though I know several who do)

God gives the knowledge of what the person is saying to the interpreter. And they translate it.

I guess that's why some people say speaking in tongues is speaking in God's language. B/c God is speaking through that person.

I do believe in this power.

Two weeks ago, I was at church on Sunday. I had been going through a lot and went to the alter ofer prayer, not expecting anyone to pray for me really. I was/am still new to this church. And NOBODY knew me, much less what was going on.

So how would they know what to pray for?

Anyway, someone started praying in tongues for me. The translation of what he was saying blew me away. It was like God was answering every prayer I had for Him through this man.

Mind you, I had told nobody about any of it. And I do not journal, so it's not like anyone snooped around for info on me before the service.

Only God could have given these people the knowledge of what was going on in my life.

Answer 4

Well for one not all Christians believe in speaking in tongues. I for one don't. Speaking in tongues means speaking the word of God. The Holy spirit takes over you and you speak as if posessed by something and you are no longer in a conscious state. I can't understand this phenomena and it's something that I'm not 100% convinced of. God does work in mysterious ways but I'm not gonna rule out the possibility of speaking in tongues. It is just something I have never experienced and probably will not understand unless I do.

Answer 5

The essence of speaking in tongues is that it is the working of the Holy Spirit wherein as the apostles speak the Gospel of God in their own language, the audience, with mixed languages and from different nations heard their with their own language even though the one speaking only knows his own language.

Please refer to Acts 2 : 4 - 11..

Apostles were Galileans, the multitude were of different language. The Apostles don't have proper language education yet people of different language, when they speak hear their own languages.

Speaking in tongues is not just some vain babblings... they are real languages, languages of nations. and its purpose before is to preach the Gospel of God to every nation with different languages.

Answer 6

There is speaking in tongues as a personal prayer language between the believer and God and then there is the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation which is to be exercised in a worship service. The speaker will give a message in a language that they have never spoken before and either they or another in the service will interpret it. This is meant for the edification of the church and the former is meant for the edification of the person themselves as well as both glorifying God.

Answer 7

I agree with you. The apostles were given the gift of speaking in tongues so they could go to new places and preach about Jesus without having to waste time learning a new language. That is how I believe it to be and I don't think anyone can do that today.

God Bless.

Answer 8

Some people spoke in tongues when they would receive The Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul told the Corithians: "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified."

Answer 9

It is the language of men and of angels, not God.

There have been accounts of people in Afghanistan that do not know English that were speaking English as a tongue.

Answer 10

speaking in tongues was done in acts. These charismatic Christians now a days are being deceived by satan. It says in the bible that when you speak in tongues your to have an interpreter and if you don't have one then your to stay quiet. I'm a Christian who believes in speaking of tongues, but not the way its done in certain churches

Answer 11

Because speaking in tongues is nonsensical, just like God's language would be.