Why can’t i speak in tongues as a Christian

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Why can’t i speak in tongues as a Christian

  • I need the holy sprite

    Votes: 1 12.5%
  • God’s guidances

    Votes: 7 87.5%

  • Total voters
    8

wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,759
936
113
62
All the proof you need is in the book of Acts. If you don't believe that Book than you don't believe any of the Bible. I will keep you in my prayer that God would open your understanding.
Thank you. But its not an matter of understanding. Its an matter of sound teaching.
 
Oct 19, 2022
35
14
8
Please help me clearly understand our differences so we both together in love can find truth through His Word.
We need more tongue speakers with this attitude. Frankly those I have met (not a large sample size) have all shown a strong sense of personal pride treating me as inferior because I don't speak in tongues. As a Christian who has been saved the moment I believed, I've found their behavior indistinguishable from Sathya Sai and Qigong followers.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
6,707
113
I believe tongues is still a gift of the Holy Spirit for many, however I have not experienced this gift.

As long as there are many languges there will be tongues...
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,020
1,268
113
I thought speaking in tongues just meant speaking another language....?

like Japanese, or Italian...but not dog or cat...lol

Yes this is what speaking in tongues means. Some think there is a special language that the speaker cannot understand that needs to be translated by someone else. That isn't scriptural. It's a pagan concept that is practiced in many false religions.
 
Sep 28, 2023
948
177
43
I thought speaking in tongues just meant speaking another language....?

like Japanese, or Italian...but not dog or cat...lol
No, there are diverse tongues as in different manifestations of the gift.

On the day of penticost the gift was actually manifested in other people hearing their language being spoken supernaturally by others that did not even know their language.

Tongues - Speaking In Tongues
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Groanings - from G4726, which comes from G4726 (Strong's Greek Concordance)

to sigh, murmur, pray inaudibly: KJV -- with grief, groan, grudge, sigh.

Inarticulate speech, or speech that is not in any known language to man
(In 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul speaks of talking in the the tongues of angels - a supernatural language)

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1 Corinthians 14:2 is speaking of our personal prayer language, which is something we do in our prayer closet and not in public.

Some have the gift of speaking a tongue in a public meeting for interpretation by another but should NOT be doing so if no interpreter is present.


1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

This is speaking of different kinds of tongues and that some have the gift of interpretation of tongues.

Not all have the gift of speaking in tongues for interpretation in a public setting like a church service... but that does not mean all don't have the gift of tongues for their private prayer life in their prayer closet between themselves and the Lord.

Isaiah 28:11,12
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.


There is a rest and knowledge that comes thru speaking in tongues
(the knowledge received has to agree with God's written Word, otherwise it's not the Holy Spirit speaking)
 
Sep 28, 2023
948
177
43
Yes this is what speaking in tongues means.
Not according to this... there are different types of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10)

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
5,020
1,268
113
Not according to this... there are different types of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10)

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Of course there are different kinds of languages. Doesn't everyone know that?

1 Corinthians 14:2
For he that speaketh in an FOREIGN LANGUGE speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
Correct, only the word of God is the measure.
Paul said in 1. COR. 12,30: Have all the gift of healing? Have all the gift of speaking in tongues? The answer of this question was: no! says the context.
And Paul also said in 1cor chapter 14, A UNIT CHAPTER, MEANING THE CONTEXT DID NOT END IN CHAPTER 12 OR 13.

Paul said in chapter 14 of 1Corthintians 1

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.


Read in context "UNLESS"
there is an interpretation of the tongue; it is equal to Prophesying. or producing the same thing.

EDIFICATION

Paul goes on to say from 6 to 19 how to properly use the gift in a church setting:

IN vs 20 on he says:

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.


26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.


30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.


31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.(word of God)

33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.


40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

You cannot receive the whole context if you cherry-pick a verse in one chapter. 1Cor chapters 12 through 14 are to be read together as one unit. FYI, the original writing and letter did not have a verse or numbers and chapters that were added later.

Paul did not write using chapters and verse. You can't elite a verse in the text outside of the full context, which starts in chapter 12 and ends in chapter 14.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
Correct, only the word of God is the measure.
Paul said in 1. COR. 12,30: Have all the gift of healing? Have all the gift of speaking in tongues? The answer of this question was: no! says the context.
the answer is all can do all do no.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
the answer is all can do all do not.
Did not Paul also say that he wished all could prophesy, but not that all should speak in tongues? He said that prophesying is far better for the whole church.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
Did not Paul also say that he wished all could prophesy, but not that all should speak in tongues? He said that prophesying is far better for the whole church.

NO, he said he would rather."

Paul is not speaking to the letter of the law;

Paul is saying what he would like.

Paul did not say Do not speak in tongues but Prophesy, HE said :


" DO not forbid speaking in Tongues." Verse 39 of Chapter 14.

Prophesy and look up the word "greater" in Greek. It is almost the same as the effectiveness.

Paul said, "UNLESS there is an interpretation" to edify.


What many don't know is

1. Propeshying is speaking under the inspiration in the context of chapters 12 through 14 of 1corthinians in your own native language
2. Tongues and interpretation are equal to prophesying or the same as what Paul said in chapter 14.

Prophesy unless there is an Interpretation Paul said that in verse 5 of chapter 14.
 

wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,759
936
113
62
NO, he said he would rather."

Paul is not speaking to the letter of the law;

Paul is saying what he would like.

Paul did not say Do not speak in tongues but Prophesy, HE said :


" DO not forbid speaking in Tongues." Verse 39 of Chapter 14.

Prophesy and look up the word "greater" in Greek. It is almost the same as the effectiveness.

Paul said, "UNLESS there is an interpretation" to edify.


What many don't know is

1. Propeshying is speaking under the inspiration in the context of chapters 12 through 14 of 1corthinians in your own native language
2. Tongues and interpretation are equal to prophesying or the same as what Paul said in chapter 14.

Prophesy unless there is an Interpretation Paul said that in verse 5 of chapter 14.
This has nothing to do with the claim that all believers which are received/baptised with the Holy Spirit got the gift of speaking in tongues. This is false teaching. A doctrine which is man made. F.e. The same is if you would claim that all believers will have the gift of healing. This is a wrong interpretation from the word of God.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
113
NO, he said he would rather."
Same difference. This was in fact A REBUKE to those who wanted everyone speaking in tongues. What Paul was saying is if you want everyone to have the same spiritual gift then it should be prophesying, NOT speaking in tongues. So why are you not following what Paul said?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
This has nothing to do with the claim that all believers which are received/baptised with the Holy Spirit got the gift of speaking in tongues. This is false teaching. A doctrine which is man made. F.e. The same is if you would claim that all believers will have the gift of healing. This is a wrong interpretation from the word of God.

It indeed debunks your idea that it is not for today. It speaks directly to the error of the text you used in 1cor.Nothing false, only your unfounded claim. As you always do :)
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
Same difference. This was in fact A REBUKE to those who wanted everyone speaking in tongues. What Paul was saying is if you want everyone to have the same spiritual gift then it should be prophesying, NOT speaking in tongues. So why are you not following what Paul said?
read it again it was not I who said "Do not forbid to speak in Tongues" but do so with orderly discipline. :)
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
that old dried-out FLASE Narrtivie by THE cessationist is laughable. FYI THE CHURCH HAS BEEN IN ERROR before, during, and after the reformation. You can't hold the church fathers as authoritative as the word of GOD.

Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said you will receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you to be MY Witnesses.
The Empowering of the Holy Spirit is already normative in the New Tesament for all believers. NOWHERE in the word of God does it say it is not for today, and Even if you have not seen it or your false Narrative of the early "Church Fathers" did not teach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus did, Paul did. The authoritative word of God does. Your disclaimer of the
"church fathers dont taught this teaching"

Doesn't matter because Jesus did. There were many things the church did not teach and even more that were wrong unless you align with the RCC tradition, which I might add did not teach of the Holy Spirit empowerment. I guess we are to all now pay penance?


Jesus is the Authoritative word, SIR, and the Bible is the inspired word of God. I don't need the church fathers to teach on that. The Lord Jesus and Paul did just fine.