The Holy Spirit And Tongues

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M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#1
#1
Really, this thread is asking for a little information and advice.

I came to faith fairly recently (Jan. 2013) and have settled into a Pentecostal church having originally found myself in a more traditional church, feeling it wasn't for me and praying about it. I'm very happy in this church, love the style of worship and the teaching is excellent. Yes you guessed it there is a "but" in that I am one of a small minority who doesn't speak in tongues. Don't get me wrong it's not all about everyone babbling away in tongues all the time but most people do on occasion and I'm kind of feeling a little odd that I don't. there is no pressure from the church it's really all about me feeling out of place and a little uncomfortable.

Having heard a discussion on the radio this morning about the gift of the Holy Spirit going hand in hand with speaking in tongues my question is this: Does God's Holy Spirit really reside in me if I don't speak in tongues? If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time.

I really don't know who to talk to about this so I decided to air it here.
 
Dan_473

Dan_473

Senior Member
#2
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
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#2
Hi! somewhere in 1 Corinthians... long about chapter 14,I think... Paul says Do all speak in tongues? ... implying that not all do... so, my take is that I wouldn't worry about it...
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#3
#3
Thanks Dan, in chapter 14 Paul seems to be saying that the gift of prophecy is of more importance.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#4
Jul 31, 2013
36,645
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#4
nowhere in the scriptures is it said that all the saints that speak in tongues, or that speaking in tongues is any kind of litmus test for being born of the Spirit.

it is re-iterated in the scripture several times that God gives to each of us according to His own measure, for His own purpose, and that though we are all called to magnify His glory, we don't all receive, nor should we receive the same gifts.

Paul's attitude was that we should certainly desire the greater gifts - but was emphatic that the greater gifts are prophecy and teaching, because they edify each other, and work towards understanding instead of mystery. the graetest gift of all is the hope we have in our Savior & Redeemer, Christ Jesus, and that we all share, and is of far higher esteem!!!
our desire should be without covetousness or falsehood

the common accusation against pentecostal churches is holding 'tongues' or 'ecstasy' above even the gift of God's grace, and that this opens the door to all kinds of sin. i doubt this is true of every congregation at all, but evidence of testimony appears to me to show that it's an accurate charge against some.
i wouldn't say "run away from that church!!" like some would, just because it's a 'charismatic church' -- but my advice is first not to be troubled for yourself, because God is patiently working in you exactly as it is His will for you - true spiritual gifts don't come from you, but from the Father, so focus on Him and don't consider it any sort of 'shortcoming' in yourself -- what only God can do, let only God do! trust Him.
what else i would advise is to run away from the idea that everyone needs to speak in tongues. be real about yourself and the other people in your church, and speak honestly and openly to them. if we don't interact as a church, even as humans, we make assumptions about what other people think and believe, and assumptions with incomplete information are often very wrong. compare the scripture to what you hear and see, and don't hide the truth you have, even if it seems silly or immaterial -- what God does in you, personally, is not just for yourself but for all His children, and ultimately for His glory

:)
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#5
#5
I wouldn't say that my particular church holds the belief that speaking in tongues is more important than God's grace. Really it's more about my own insecurities, I believe it was God who directed me to that particular church, really the teaching is top-notch. Thank you for the replies.
 
A

amymine712

Guest
#6
#6
MadParrotWoman said:
I wouldn't say that my particular church holds the belief that speaking in tongues is more important than God's grace. Really it's more about my own insecurities, I believe it was God who directed me to that particular church, really the teaching is top-notch. Thank you for the replies.
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Do not be insecure in what God is working in you. I actually stopped speaking in tongues because I was using it as a crutch during prayer. I didn't know what I was saying so it took no effort from me. What God wants from all of us is a personal relationship and the way I was using tongues was putting a barrier between God and myself. So for me, God said to stop and get to know Him. My relationship with our Father is now closer then ever. Will God give me leave to speak in tongues again? I don't know but I am extremely happy to be where I am today.

Be happy in what God is doing in your life don't be discontent in what you perceive you are lacking. Always pray that God continues to work in you, teach you, and leads you. Everything else is just window dressing.
 
J

jb

Senior Member
#7
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
588
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#7
MadParrotWoman said:
Really, this thread is asking for a little information and advice.

I came to faith fairly recently (Jan. 2013) and have settled into a Pentecostal church having originally found myself in a more traditional church, feeling it wasn't for me and praying about it. I'm very happy in this church, love the style of worship and the teaching is excellent. Yes you guessed it there is a "but" in that I am one of a small minority who doesn't speak in tongues. Don't get me wrong it's not all about everyone babbling away in tongues all the time but most people do on occasion and I'm kind of feeling a little odd that I don't. there is no pressure from the church it's really all about me feeling out of place and a little uncomfortable.

Having heard a discussion on the radio this morning about the gift of the Holy Spirit going hand in hand with speaking in tongues my question is this: Does God's Holy Spirit really reside in me if I don't speak in tongues? If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time.

I really don't know who to talk to about this so I decided to air it here.
Click to expand...
You can find a short study Here on the gifts of the Holy Spirit (as listed in 1Cor 12v7-11), including the gift of tongues (number 8 in the list)...

Yahweh Shalom
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#8
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
113
#8
MadParrotWoman said:
Really, this thread is asking for a little information and advice.

I came to faith fairly recently (Jan. 2013) and have settled into a Pentecostal church having originally found myself in a more traditional church, feeling it wasn't for me and praying about it. I'm very happy in this church, love the style of worship and the teaching is excellent. Yes you guessed it there is a "but" in that I am one of a small minority who doesn't speak in tongues. Don't get me wrong it's not all about everyone babbling away in tongues all the time but most people do on occasion and I'm kind of feeling a little odd that I don't. there is no pressure from the church it's really all about me feeling out of place and a little uncomfortable.

Having heard a discussion on the radio this morning about the gift of the Holy Spirit going hand in hand with speaking in tongues my question is this: Does God's Holy Spirit really reside in me if I don't speak in tongues? If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time.

I really don't know who to talk to about this so I decided to air it here.
Click to expand...
At Pentecost the 'tongues' being spoken were other languages from surrounding countries. Is that what you are hearing in Church?

Acts 2:5-11 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#9
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#9
I have often wondered if the language of the spirit (tongues) was just HEARD differently according to the nation listening. What was heard was what God wanted each person to hear - His wonderful works. Maybe the apostles could not speak all the different languages (that is probably more likely), yet God opened the listeners ears to the interpretation he wanted each person to hear as the Holy Spirit praised in a heavenly language the works of God. Maybe?
 
J

John_S

Guest
#10
#10
MadParrotWoman said:
Really, this thread is asking for a little information and advice.

I came to faith fairly recently (Jan. 2013) and have settled into a Pentecostal church having originally found myself in a more traditional church, feeling it wasn't for me and praying about it. I'm very happy in this church, love the style of worship and the teaching is excellent. Yes you guessed it there is a "but" in that I am one of a small minority who doesn't speak in tongues. Don't get me wrong it's not all about everyone babbling away in tongues all the time but most people do on occasion and I'm kind of feeling a little odd that I don't. there is no pressure from the church it's really all about me feeling out of place and a little uncomfortable.

Having heard a discussion on the radio this morning about the gift of the Holy Spirit going hand in hand with speaking in tongues my question is this: Does God's Holy Spirit really reside in me if I don't speak in tongues? If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time.

I really don't know who to talk to about this so I decided to air it here.
Click to expand...
NO ONE can speak in "tongues". The person who speaks this gibberish is trying to show everyone how "holy" he or she is - but what is worse is that there are people gullible enough to believe this nonsense.
IT IS FAKE.
 
J

jb

Senior Member
#11
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
588
113
#11
John_S said:
NO ONE can speak in "tongues". The person who speaks this gibberish is trying to show everyone how "holy" he or she is - but what is worse is that there are people gullible enough to believe this nonsense.
IT IS FAKE.
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LOL!

UNBELIEVER (in the gifts of the Spirit)! :p
 
J

jdbear

Banned
#12
May 14, 2014
611
4
0
#12
MadParrotWoman said:
...If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time...
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If we're going to be Biblical about this, speaking in a tongue is speaking in a human foreign language acquired without the aid of study.
 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#13
Aug 15, 2009
9,745
179
0
#13
1 Corinthians 14:13-17 (NASB) [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. [SUP]14 [/SUP]For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. [SUP]15 [/SUP]What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. [SUP]16 [/SUP]Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? [SUP]17 [/SUP]For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

This scripture speaks to self edification as well as edifying the body of Christ. When we see "pray" & "sing", this connotates the idea of prayer in ministry and worship, both private & corporate.

When it states "but my mind is unfruitful" insinuates the individual praying is in need of the interpretation themselves. V16 speaks of a corporate (church) setting, indicating others need to hear the interpretation.

But you may ask, why do we need tongues in a private setting?

Suppose someone prays, needing an absolute answer to his prayer. If he gets a direct, english answer to his prayer, he could easily dismiss it as his fleshly desires rising up within him. But if God sent him a message in tongues, properly interpreted, there could be no question this answer is from God.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#14
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
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#14
Joidevivre said:
I have often wondered if the language of the spirit (tongues) was just HEARD differently according to the nation listening. What was heard was what God wanted each person to hear - His wonderful works. Maybe the apostles could not speak all the different languages (that is probably more likely), yet God opened the listeners ears to the interpretation he wanted each person to hear as the Holy Spirit praised in a heavenly language the works of God. Maybe?
Click to expand...
" and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
I think Scripture would have said.. " and were confounded, because that every man heard his own language."
This was Luke's account given through the Holy Spirit. It would have been misleading by the Holy Spirit to say 'speak in his own language' if all there was not actual speaking in another language going on.
(hope this didn't confuse you).
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#15
#15
Eph 1:13-14
In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.

you received the Holy Spirit the moment you believed the Gospel. :)
 
J

jdbear

Banned
#16
May 14, 2014
611
4
0
#16
Stephen63 said:
1 Corinthians 14:13-17 (NASB) [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
Click to expand...

What does the word "therefore" mean in this verse?

Originally posted by Stephen63
When it states "but my mind is unfruitful" insinuates the individual praying is in need of the interpretation themselves.
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No it doesnt. It means what Paul understands is fruitless if others can't understand him. Look at the preceding verses.
 
peacefulbeliever

peacefulbeliever

Senior Member
#17
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#17
jdbear said:
What does the word "therefore" mean in this verse?

No it doesnt. It means what Paul understands is fruitless if others can't understand him. Look at the preceding verses.
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Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. . . . .

Wherefore [because of this, i.e. the above verse] let him that speaketh in an tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Speaking in tongues to oneself - 14:2 For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 14:4 He that speaketh in an tongue edifieth himself;

Speaking in tongues in the church - 14:4b but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. . . . .5b) for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except [unless] he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.]

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also.

But he will continue to pray with the spirit and sing with the spirit . . . . :)
 
K

KSKJBBeliever

Guest
#18
#18
MadParrotWoman said:
Really, this thread is asking for a little information and advice.

I came to faith fairly recently (Jan. 2013) and have settled into a Pentecostal church having originally found myself in a more traditional church, feeling it wasn't for me and praying about it. I'm very happy in this church, love the style of worship and the teaching is excellent. Yes you guessed it there is a "but" in that I am one of a small minority who doesn't speak in tongues. Don't get me wrong it's not all about everyone babbling away in tongues all the time but most people do on occasion and I'm kind of feeling a little odd that I don't. there is no pressure from the church it's really all about me feeling out of place and a little uncomfortable.

Having heard a discussion on the radio this morning about the gift of the Holy Spirit going hand in hand with speaking in tongues my question is this: Does God's Holy Spirit really reside in me if I don't speak in tongues? If we are going to be Biblical about this, at Pentecost all received the gift of tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. I'm really confused about this and have been for some time.

I really don't know who to talk to about this so I decided to air it here.
Click to expand...

Tongues was a sign to the Jewish nation... They are the ones who required the sign... Speaking in tongues ended at the time the "MYSTERY" was revealed to Paul... By Grace are ye saved, through faith. Not of works lest any man should boast."

If someone is telling you they speak in tongues, shake your head, tuck your tail, and RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its probably SATAN!
 
J

jdbear

Banned
#19
May 14, 2014
611
4
0
#19
peacefulbeliever said:
Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. . . . .

Wherefore [because of this, i.e. the above verse] let him that speaketh in an tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Click to expand...

Right...Pauls understanding (or what he understands) bears no fruit if people listening can't understand him.
Originally posted by peacefulbeliever
Speaking in tongues to oneself - 14:2 For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 14:4 He that speaketh in an tongue edifieth himself;
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He's edified because he understands what he's saying.
Originally posted by peacefulbeliever
Speaking in tongues in the church - 14:4b but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. . . . .5b) for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except [unless] he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.]
Click to expand...
people are edified when they understand language.

Originally posted by peacefulbeliever
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also.

But he will continue to pray with the spirit and sing with the spirit . . . . :)
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Right. Speak in tongues when it is appropriate. ..when the person or persons can understand.
 
Stephen63

Stephen63

Banned
#20
Aug 15, 2009
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0
#20
jdbear said:
What does the word "therefore" mean in this verse?

No it doesnt. It means what Paul understands is fruitless if others can't understand him. Look at the preceding verses.
Click to expand...
After checking, you are correct. Context in front & behind are implying corporate/public worship. Good eye.
 
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