Is there a practical use for speaking in tongues?

Question

Or is it your god's version of a "wacky wall walker" that entertains you for a few seconds, but is pretty much useless?

Answer 1

i have no clue once i actually seen a black woman do it i was like what the hell is wrong with ou? she then rebuked me in the name of jesus afer i said that

Answer 2

It is difficult to explain to someone who knows little about speaking in tongues, but the answer to your question is yes, It's purpose is to instruct the congregation so that they will benefit morally or spiritually;

It is a form of two-way communication. A person who speaks in tongues may entreat the Lord in prayer and get an answer. But the answer is usually for the whole congregation, not just one person.

Christians consider speaking in tongues one of the special gifts given to us. Not every Christian can speak in tongues. Those who really do have the ability to speak or pray in tongues (the ancient languages) are cautioned not do so without two others in their presence who have the gift of understanding and the ability to translate.

I will paraphrase 1Corinthians23: If the entire congregation meets in one place and everyone is speaking in tongues, and those who do not believe enter, will they not think you are mad?

We understand you're skepticism.

Answer 3

It is written in the bible why the gift is given. There is a purpose. Initially, people praised God in Spirit. Then also prophesied.

So? This is the Holy Spirit teaching us how to praise God in Spirit. Also when we don't know how to pray for someone or something, the Holy Spirit prays for us through us. The Holy Spirit knows our spiritman and also knows God the Father & God the Son. So also we pray in spirit in our prayer closet building up our most Holy Faith. See, when we feel the Holy Spirit helping us pray it builds our faith. And also, the Holy Spirit brings to mind the Word of the Lord. The Holy Spirit renews our minds in Gods Word. The Truth also sets us free from bondages.

Also, this is the first of the gifts that requires us to trust God with our voice. Then there are more gifts God gives. Where we also need to Trust God & His Word to receive. And it starts by praising God first with our mouth, & the Spirit overtakes us.

In the congregation sometimes a message is spoken in tongues & there is interpretation (a gift). And this should be done in order. My Pastor sometimes speaks a Word of knowledge, wisdom, or speaks in tongues & the spirit will move on me to confirm this a special Word form the Lord. Also for others who say a prophetic word there is also confirmation in my spirit man (I praise God in Spirit). Before the Pastor spoke in tongues & later there were those in the congregation who were visitors who knew the language & said the message was for them & they went forward for salvation.

There is a practical use for all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you consider God giving the gifts so we can edify one another & encourage one another. It is just a step where one trust God enouph to receive the gift by starting verbally speaking praises to God first. If one doesn't praise God out loud, they can't receive the gift. Unless they speak in tongues in the soul/spirit voice. But also, I would consider speaking a sign language or dance a type of spiritual talk for those who can't hear.

Answer 4

Yes actually, there is a practical reason for speaking in tongues. When it is done in assembly it is the Holy Spirit speaking to the people of the congregation through a certain person. In most instances, a translation is given to them or another in a laguage that is spoken by the assembled. When one is speaking in tongues during private prayer it it the Holy Spirit is interceding on that persons' behalf through them to God.

Answer 5

It all depends by what spirit it is done by. If it's given by the spirit of God the purpose is so that someone of a different culture can understand the teachings of the gospel in their own native tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
• • •
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
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.
• • •

Things that are given by God are witnessed by two or three, not just one person:

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

The purpose of speaking in tongues is so that all who are present can be edified, including those who may not be able to understand the original language. If the words spoken cannot be interpreted or understood by someone who is present, then it is not given of God.

The devil can appear as an angel of light and deceive people, leading them to believe something is of God when really, it's not.

Those who just fall on their face babbling nonsensical jibberish are most likely temporarily possessed by the spirit of the devil appearing as an angel of light. If no one in the room can understand or interpret the babbling, then it is not of God.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

The gift of tongues in the Bible is practical. At the day of Pentecost the apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost and had th gift of tongues. This allowed those who were gathered in from many nations to hear in their native tongue. This is the gift of tongues. Not the babbling many people think of.

Answer 7

Yes, the purpose of the gift of tongues is to worship God ... in the tongues of angels. It is nothing to do with entertainment.

It is to talk to God and to love him more.

Answer 8

Except for comedy purposes, yes. It is useless. "Speaking in tongues" is nothing but gibberish, not to mention ridiculous. People who do it only want attention.

Answer 9

Code-breakers, my friend! Don't you know about the Pentecostal Tongue Speakers of WWII?!

To Somethingtrinity: "Goobidygoobidygobbledygook!" That's God telling you to quit trying to put words into his mouth.

Me likey Smartypants!

Answer 10

It works well as a cult practice, the same as the "Holy Laughing" craze so popular in Latin America and South East Asia.
Outside of that context it is pretty useless, although it might be nice if politicians started using it for their speeches.

Answer 11

None. Paul said that would prefer to speak 5 words with understanding and not 10000 words without understanding.