My praying in tongues did not begin from reading a book on it. It did not begin from my intelligence that needed understanding. It did not begin in a church where this was happening. It did not begin because I even heard someone else.
It began one day when I was alone with Jesus and was adoring Him. Just us together. It was born out of a loving relationship. And the sounds were sweet that poured out from my spirit.
And I found afterwards that there was nothing in the bible that told me that this was not good. Or real.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm neither challenging your experience, or the experience of others. My question is, especially in today's age, what good is accomplished from some people telling others, whether it's other christians, or non-believers, that they speak in tongues?
I mean, I don't think that it's debatable, that many people say they have some sort of experience with speaking in another tongue,,,,,an unknown, 'angelic', or foreign language, however they want to label it,,,,,it's obvious that something took place in the bible, and people make many claims today, so if anyone says there isn't SOMEthing going on, they're just denying reality.
But, what good does it do for others if I say, 'I speak in tongues'?
If someone says, 'I saw or experienced a miracle of healing', that can bring God glory, a demonstration of His power, as well as the person being healed being a good thing.
Or if someone says, 'I have a little bit of knowledge in a certain area (a pastor/teacher, perhaps?) by God's grace, maybe I can help you understand this or that portion of scripture if your struggling',
or if someone says, 'I have some administative experience, maybe I can help you organize your records, etc.',
But I just don't understand how anyone is helped when another person says, 'I speak in tongues'.
Again, I don't mean to be critical, I just don't understand it.
If someone says, 'I speak in tongues', who benefits, and how?