Hi.
About tongues, to begin with, when you see people "practicing" the gift of tongues in church ask yourself this:

- Are they practicing in an orderly way?

- Is the church encouraged by the practice?

- Is there an interpreter present?

These 3 questions are important because Paul lays each of these points out for the practice of tongues in 1 Cor 14.

Also, in the bible there are actually 3 different kinds of tongues mentioned.

1.) When you speak in a foreign language without studying it. Acts 2:1-12

2.) When you speak in a language that is a prayer language, only between you and God. 1 Cor. 14:4

3.) When you speak in a language to a congregation. This is what I was referring to above. Paul states that if there is no one to interpret you should keep quiet. 1 Cor 14:28



There are some things to keep in mind about tongues.....
- If you ask God for tongues, also ask for interpretation. 1 Cor 14:13

- Remember tongues is not the *only* gift or the *best*. In fact Love is better then tongues- and so is instruction. 1 Cor 14:19, 1 Cor 13:1

-Tongues was given to us for encouragement and is to be used in an orderly way.1 Cor 14


Too often I see people get discouraged because they ask God for tongues but do not receive it. Sometimes they even doubt their salvation. Listen, the bible is clear, salvation is based on Christ alone. John 3:16

Also remember tongues is only one gift- one of many. (1 Cor 12:4-11) And NO ONE has EVERY gift- only Jesus has them all. Don't be discouraged if the Lord does not give you tongues when you first ask. It may mean He has something else for you, a different gift, or He may give it to you later. However it turns out, He loves you like crazy and what He really, really wants to work in your life is love.