I am reading a book called "Satan's Devices" by Kurt Koch, which discusses and refutes all kinds of occult and questionable (according to the Christian faith) practices, things like fortune telling, ouija boards, scientology, etc. In this book there is a section concerning speaking in tongues; he is generally against the practice. Some of the things he says are "the tongues and the charismatic movements are the most dangerous weapons Satan uses against the Christian camp," and "it sometimes happens that demons claim to be the Holy Spirit or Jesus...In this way they sometimes lead whole groups of Christians astray. This is the most devilish misuse of the Word of God that Satan allows himself." So basically, the author says that some cases of speaking in tongues is actually demons entering the Christian and posing as the Holy Spirit, and he gives a number of examples of this. I'm on the fence about tongues in general, and this just confuses me. Has anyone else ever heard this?
2007-09-27 00:55:58 · 17 answers · asked by Starfall 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've also been taught that Christians cannot be demon-possessed, and this book seems to contradict that.
2007-09-27 00:57:30 · update #1
Oh yeah, they can be.
Matt. 24: 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
While we should not dismiss the genuine gifts of miracles of God, Satan has his counterfiets. Remember when Moses laid down the staff that turned into a serpent, Pharoahs magicians were able to perform the same trick... only Moses' serpent at the magicians serpents. Both sides have a real power, only God's is greater. Unfortunately the gifts are so scarce among various churches that they cling to the most bizarre signs such as seeing Mary in a tree stump or a bowl of food or whatever.
The way some Pentacostals speak in tongues and thrash around on the floor, it is identical to those mentioned in the Bible who were possessed by evil spirits. Jesus cast the evil spirit out and they ceased thrashing around.
While there are many bad examples of the gifts, we should not dismiss them either...
1 Cor. 14: 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Yet at the day of Pentacost that Pentacostals love to quote, they spoke in KNOWN tongues, not unknown babblings. The gift of tongues is more often used to translate languages, not babble with no translation or interpretation.
1 Cor 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
The gifts of the spirit are accompanied by a gentle and peaceful Spirit, very profound... not with fanfare or as if in a child's romper room. Did Jesus ever jump around, thrash on the floor, foam in mouth, or babble repetitously?
2007-09-27 01:08:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The first question you must ask is are those who are so called "speaking in tongues" saved Christians? The Bible clearly states that the gift of tongues was a gift that God gave to the early church to preach the gospel to all nations. On Pentecost the Apostles preached the gospel to people of different languages than Hebrew. Yet, the people of other languages understood the Apostles and disciples of Jesus. The gift of tongues is not what you see in church and on tv today. That may be demon possession or people who are playing games. If they are possessed, which I have personally witnessed, I doubt that they are born-again and saved. I could be wrong because it does not state anywhere in the Bible that a Christian cannot be possessed.
2007-09-27 01:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. real christians cannot be possessed....but they can be oppressed and influenced by demons, if they are not living like they should be.
2. always remember that tongues was originally from the holy spirit....and that the devil just tries to imitate what God is doing.....
3. calling the holy spirit the devil is blasphemy...and it grieves the holy spirit which Jesus said was the unpardonable sin.....so do not go along with that....this guy is wrong
4. there are some people who pretend to speak in tongues....so they are fake
5. the evidence of genuine tongues is in the person's life.....do they have the gifts of the holy spirit...do they have the "fruit"?....joy peace, love, longsuffering, patience, mercy....etc....do they show respect for God and his ways? do they spend time with God in prayer? Do they love others? if they do, then they would not be faking it....they would be sincere.....
2007-09-27 01:24:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back in Jesus day the apostles many times spoke in tounges. But there was always an interpretation for it. It would be some type of message being delivered and it was a purpose for it. Today when people speak in tounges there's no meaning to it, it's just supposed to be a sign that a person has holy spirit.
I'd rather stick with how it was originally done when it had an interpretation. And for all I know those who speak in tounges now are possessed or just putting on a show.
2007-09-27 01:05:14 · answer #4 · answered by J Mar 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Among those who speak in tongues today are Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists and Lutherans. There are others. A joint statement by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council admitted: "We are also aware that a similar phenomenon can occur under occult/demonic influence." [Gospel and Spirit, April 1977; published by the Fountain Trust and the Church of England Evangelical Council, p. 12.]
The book Religious Movements in Contemporary America (edited by Irving Zaretsky and Mark Leone, quoting L. P. Gerlach) reports that in Haiti, 'speaking in tongues' is characteristic of both Pentecostal and Voodoo religions.
It would seem then that it is true: this phenomenon does occur as a result of demonic influence.
Have you ever wondered though: the tongues in which those of today profess to speak, how do they compare with the Bible account describing tongues? Is the 'speaking in tongues' of today the same as that of the first century? Some would be surprised to find that it is not.
Hannah J Paul
2007-09-27 01:09:51 · answer #5 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Holy Spirit Christians can be demon possessed PERIOD>
There are 3 types of tongues 1 The Holy Spirit speaking out loud through a person and someone else interprets what God is saying.2 A person that is filled with the Holy Spirit can speak in tongues at will.# 3 The devil also has a version of speaking in tongues through a person.I witnessed all of this.When the devil speaks in tongues through a person you can feel the evil.It is very easy to tell the difference if you are accustomed to the spiritual realm.Amen.
2007-09-27 01:08:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Im not very sure what exactly you mean by speaking tongues. But if you wanna be Christian don't read such books. If you wanna be one, but get to see through other points of view, then don't believe too fanatically. There are so many things contradicting between what the Bible says and real life that I stopped trying to link things logically some years ago already. You are what you believe you are, and you can do what you belueve can... If you think you can be possessed, of course you can... I lied down on my bad the other day, looking at the roof, thinking and saying to someone to come. Than person hardly knows my name... and he came 1 hour later... so... you believe, you do, you are... good luck with your spirituality :)
2007-09-27 01:03:53 · answer #7 · answered by Raula 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well I interpret True Tongues...and speak in Tongues 18 years.....my Jezebel Wife spoke in a True Tongue and wrestled with the Holy Spirit many times. I interpreted "Rosie, if you don't stop your lying and stealing I'm going to divorce you" Well she wouldn't listen, so I divorced her (knowing it was the Holy Spirit).
2016-05-19 22:32:57 · answer #8 · answered by stefani 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmm...unrelated..but...one of my brothers girlfriends had an episode one night. She was hysterical, speaking 'in tounge' had snakes, centipedes and spiders crawling inside and all over her. Her mum had to drive around Brisbane at 3am for 3 hours trying to find an exorcist for her. She insisted the devil was trying to harm her. They finally found one. And she was cured.....
By the way.... her mother is BORN AGAIN. Her father is a WARLOCK and she had taken drugs that night...She wasnt religious then. She is now and will always be, under the 'mental act' of Queensland...In my opinion Religion and drugs are the biggest evil of society. They both do more harm than good.
2007-09-27 01:17:21 · answer #9 · answered by blerchus4incapet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan can imitate the gifts of the Spirit. The more of a physical manifestation they have the easier it is to imitate. For example, the gift of tongues would be easier to imitate than the gift of wisdom. Because the latter gift is much more subtle.
best way to tell the difference is through experience.
2007-09-27 01:05:20 · answer #10 · answered by Avatar_defender_of_the_light 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋