Some sincere Christians think they have the gift of speaking in tongues

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wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,759
936
113
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#21
There ARE people who claim to have this marvelous gift when they really don't.

I went to a church service because I was told speaking in tongues was part of the service. Someone got up and spoke in a strange tongue. Someone else got up and interpreted it saying it was "the death of the children". I never went back to that church.

I have prayed to receive it and haven't been given the gift, although twice I have encountered angels and could communicate with them without sound. Perhaps that is like the gift of tongues.
From where you know that they was angels?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
#22
This tells me they were speaking purely in the language of the Holy Spirit...
The Holy Spirit was addressing men in human languages through human beings. The Holy Spirit had already told the Jews that this is how their faith or their unbelief would be shown to God.

For with stammering lips and another tongue* [וּבְלָשׁ֖וֹן (ū-ḇə-lā-šō-wn) = language] will he speak to this people [Israel]. 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. (Isa 28:11,12)

* Brown-Driver-Briggs
2 = language Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 5:15 and later, namely: Ezekiel 3:5,6 (׳כִּבְדֵי ל, "" עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה, but strike out ᵐ5 Manuscripts Co SgfrKauAT), Isaiah 28:11 (""אַחֶרֶת ׳ל, לַעֲגֵי שָׂפָה, figurative of ׳יs unintelligible dealings); ׳עַם ֗֗֗ נִלְעַג ל Isaiah 33:19 ("" עִמְקֵי שָׂפָה);Isaiah 66:18 ("" גּוֺיִם), Zechariah 8:23; Genesis 10:5,20,31 (all P), Nehemiah 13:24; Esther 1:22 (twice in verse);Esther 3:12; Esther 8:9 (twice in verse); Daniel 1:4.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#23
From where you know that they was angels?
Matt. 25:14 speaks of the devil and his angels. But in Eze. 28:12-18 it explains that he was a beautiful cherub who are the highest type of angel.
 

wolfwint

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2014
3,759
936
113
62
#24
Matt. 25:14 speaks of the devil and his angels. But in Eze. 28:12-18 it explains that he was a beautiful cherub who are the highest type of angel.
I mean from where you know that you spoke with angels?
 

MyrtleTrees

Junior Member
Sep 5, 2014
804
317
63
#25
Well, it's hard to know, since most sincere Christians, like myself, don't personally know anyone who claims to speak in tongues in private prayer times. So they have little way to examine their lives too. I listen a lot to an online preacher who happens to claim he speaks in tongues in private prayer. Though I respect him, and think he does very well in his teaching on other bible subjects - I can probably have no way to know whether his assumption that he speaks in tongue is as true as he thinks it is, or not. He grew up in charismatic churches. But does not accept some of their teachings. Like he realizes that not all true Christians were said to be given the gift of tongues, whether for private prayer or for preaching to a gathering if an interpreter is present. I feel he does well by seeing that even if God still gives out the gift of tongues in some form, that God doesn't choose to give it to all Christians. He also sees that all Christians have the Spirit of God if they are true Christians, and I agree with that, too.

I have been exposed to charistmatic churches some in my past. But I don't think it is wise of Christians to pray for the gift of tongues, and then just automatically assume God will give that gift to him or her. That is not letting God decide, I feel. And also is in danger of giving into one's lively powers of imagination, if one isn't careful to not go ahead with it, unless they clearly feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so.

I certainly know that there was a lot of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, following soon after Jesus' ascension. But that may have been largely because there were lots of Jews from foreign lands, who needed to hear the gospel message in their own languages, in order to understand the preaching of the gospel, and to make the decision to accept and live by it in their lives.
 

tantalon

Active member
Oct 11, 2019
286
105
43
#26
1Corinthians 12: 7, tells us the showing, or MANIFISTATION of the Spirit of God, is revealed through His gifts to the Church. Then goes on to name them, of which unlearned languages at verse 10 are mentioned. Because much of what we believe as Christians is not from what the Bible teaches, but what men are teaching the Bible says. All denominations represent divisions in the doctrines of the New Testament. There is only ONE Church, the body of Christ in which a person is baptized into at conversion. This gift of speaking in an unlearned language is not accepted, nor do we see much of the other gifts either, because of the ignorance of "learned" men.
 

Prycejosh1987

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2020
1,016
189
63
#27
Some since Christians think they have the gift of speaking in tongues, just for their own benefit, as seems to have been the case with the apostle Paul. They don't expect all Christians to have that gift, and so do well in that way. I don't know if God still gives out that gift or not. But in any case, it seems to be quite rare.
It does seem that people just want to show off that they have the holy spirit. Having God himself inside there bodies and speaking in the tongues of the angels is so much for these people that is fills them with pride. To me speaking in tongues is not important, its all about the spiritual walk.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,487
13,792
113
#28
Well, it's hard to know, since most sincere Christians, like myself, don't personally know anyone who claims to speak in tongues in private prayer times. So they have little way to examine their lives too. I listen a lot to an online preacher who happens to claim he speaks in tongues in private prayer. Though I respect him, and think he does very well in his teaching on other bible subjects - I can probably have no way to know whether his assumption that he speaks in tongue is as true as he thinks it is, or not. He grew up in charismatic churches. But does not accept some of their teachings. Like he realizes that not all true Christians were said to be given the gift of tongues, whether for private prayer or for preaching to a gathering if an interpreter is present. I feel he does well by seeing that even if God still gives out the gift of tongues in some form, that God doesn't choose to give it to all Christians. He also sees that all Christians have the Spirit of God if they are true Christians, and I agree with that, too.

I have been exposed to charistmatic churches some in my past. But I don't think it is wise of Christians to pray for the gift of tongues, and then just automatically assume God will give that gift to him or her. That is not letting God decide, I feel. And also is in danger of giving into one's lively powers of imagination, if one isn't careful to not go ahead with it, unless they clearly feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so.

I certainly know that there was a lot of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, following soon after Jesus' ascension. But that may have been largely because there were lots of Jews from foreign lands, who needed to hear the gospel message in their own languages, in order to understand the preaching of the gospel, and to make the decision to accept and live by it in their lives.
"Most sincere Christians, like myself...." perhaps that is simply due to your choice of denominational affiliation? I know many sincere Christians who do pray in tongues. Please don't use a broad brush where a point is appropriate. :)

Cornelius and his companions spoke in tongues without asking for the gift in Acts 10, as did the disciples of John in Acts 19. The Corinthian believers were taught that speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and that seeking the gifts was appropriate. Jude encourages believers to "Build yourselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." People can claim that they are praying in the Holy Spirit whenever they pray, but frankly, I don't see how that's any different from just praying normally.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#29
Do not be put out by any subject of the Word being repeated for there will always be new seekers in the forum, and they do not ordinarily read all of the back posts in the forum. You know.
Agreed: there are constantly new people coming onto CC and they want to dialogue on these topics and not just read the old lines.
 

Chester

Senior Member
May 23, 2016
4,314
1,442
113
#30
Well, it's hard to know, since most sincere Christians, like myself, don't personally know anyone who claims to speak in tongues in private prayer times. So they have little way to examine their lives too. I listen a lot to an online preacher who happens to claim he speaks in tongues in private prayer. Though I respect him, and think he does very well in his teaching on other bible subjects - I can probably have no way to know whether his assumption that he speaks in tongue is as true as he thinks it is, or not. He grew up in charismatic churches. But does not accept some of their teachings. Like he realizes that not all true Christians were said to be given the gift of tongues, whether for private prayer or for preaching to a gathering if an interpreter is present. I feel he does well by seeing that even if God still gives out the gift of tongues in some form, that God doesn't choose to give it to all Christians. He also sees that all Christians have the Spirit of God if they are true Christians, and I agree with that, too.

I have been exposed to charistmatic churches some in my past. But I don't think it is wise of Christians to pray for the gift of tongues, and then just automatically assume God will give that gift to him or her. That is not letting God decide, I feel. And also is in danger of giving into one's lively powers of imagination, if one isn't careful to not go ahead with it, unless they clearly feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do so.

I certainly know that there was a lot of speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost, following soon after Jesus' ascension. But that may have been largely because there were lots of Jews from foreign lands, who needed to hear the gospel message in their own languages, in order to understand the preaching of the gospel, and to make the decision to accept and live by it in their lives.
Very few from my denomination and group would openly declare they speak in tongues: the gift is minimized and looked down on. But I think that more people speak in tongues in private than most realize. Anytime you take your heart before the Father and do not have words to express it, then the Spirit interceeds with groanings for you: that is what I think the gift of tongues is. it happens in my personal prayer life a lot: but I do not speak in tongues in public.
 
L

lenna

Guest
#31
reading the op's further thoughts on that matter, we see the actual agenda revealed

does not think we should speak in tongues

could have just said so :rolleyes: