A NON-CHARISMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF TONGUES

What a twisted way he presented his argument, calling good evil.

Yes ..and these different kinds of tongues was the ability to speak in foreign languages.

You do realize the redundancy of the gift of interpretation if the gift of tongues was only to speak in, known, foreign languages? If I am in France, and by the Spirit spoke in French, the gift of interpretation would be moot. Now, if I was speaking in some language that the French didn't understand, but that the interpreter could understand through a supernatural act (understanding of a language they do not know) then the gift of interpretation makes sense.

Subjecting the gift of tongues to only known foreign languages undermines the gift of interpretation. Consider even the verse in 1 Corinthians 14 saying that "no man understandeth him, as he speaks mysteries in the spirit." No man. That means you could have a person for every language of the earth present, and no one would know what he was saying but by the Spirit of God.

Mr. Ben do you only use the KJV bible, just curious?

Its what I grew up on. My own personal bible is a KJV bible. Is it because I said "understandeth" when I was mentioning a verse? lol You have found me out!

I prefer to pray in a spiritual language that GOD understands - after all I am praying to both my Lord & God and to my Father in
Heaven - not to other people.

There is no record of the disciples prophesying, working miracles or discerning between different kinds of spirits prior to Acts 2. The only "gifts" that are recorded are healing and casting out demons. Given that your foundational premise is simply incorrect, your conclusion is also incorrect.

Tongues are not only a miracle to the ears. Acts 2:4 states "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

You are imposing an interpretation of "edifies himself" that is simply not supported in the passage. Every other use of "edify" (or related words) in Scripture is positive. Edification is a good thing, not an "evil" to be corrected. The "evil" that Paul was addressing was disorderly use of the gifts.

Did not Christ bear the cross with the joy set before Him? An ultimate act of love, laying down one's life for another. Yet to what end was this done? To reconcile man to God, there was something to gain in this act. Fellowship. Would you suggest that because Jesus, our Lord, had something to gain in doing good, that it was somehow less?

You would suggest that self-edification is self-seeking, but what can you give if you're empty? Does not this gift build up? Does it not edify self, as scripture says? It isn't a bad thing to take care of yourself so that you may be equipped for every good work. Does not God bless us financially, even? Yes, and in this manner may we be blessed to be a blessing. Why do you speak as if our growing in God, in Christ, is contrary to love? No, such fellowship equips us for the task at hand.

We speak in tongues because it permits us to pray for that which we do not know to pray for. We intercede on the behalf of others. This is honorable. This is a good deed. You say it is selfish, but it is selfless, in that our lips reach God's hearing, for the sake of others. You realize that God lets it rain on the just and unjust? He blesses all, for He is good. What is it to you if God chooses to bless the tongue speaker, and others at the same time?

Would you argue that we ought to keep ourselves in poverty because prosperity is self-seeking? Nay, we ought to rise to new heights. A blessed man may give to the Church, he may extend its work beyond its walls to reach the world around them. Self gain is not unrighteous, when you have a proper understanding of your growth affecting your propensity to give.

Likewise, self-edification, to fellowship with God, to pray and spend time with the Lord edifies self. Yet would you forsake prayer? No. Would you call it self-seeking? No. Yet what does God promise to them that pray in private, give quietly, and fast? A reward. Now these acts include self gain. Are they any less of value? Are they not of love because gain is involved? Of course not.

So you do not follow Paul's example ? ? ?


1 Corinthians 14:19 (NJB)
19 all the same, when I am in the assembly I would rather say five words with my mind, to instruct others as well, than ten thousand words in a tongue.


What a same and a waste of time.

Is not our walk one of faith? I trust the Holy Spirit. I have spoken in tongues since I was a kid. No one taught me to speak in tongues, it just happened. I use to sing in tongues on road trips when I was a kid, and unfortunately, I stopped because of peer pressure (with no mal-intent). It was a comment I overheard, and the tone, which suggested it was weird. Yet, it was a God-given gift.

As with Paul, I rejoice that the Lord has entrusted me with this gift, to use it responsibly and in order.

Mr. Ben, of course "language"has purpose in all these places.



The gift of languages was also given so that the Jews would believe that gentiles could be saved.

Scripturally we are talking about language.

Now if you want to pursue the path of angelic language then that is a different conversation.

I'm tired of your insults. I would report you, but I'll just ignore you.

And there's always somebody denying scripture because it doesn't match their agenda.

I prefer to pray in a spiritual language that GOD understands - after all I am praying to both my Lord & God and to my Father in
Heaven - not to other people.

What a twisted way he presented his argument, calling good evil.

Edification is a good thing just like love is a good thing; self edification is not a good thing and the love for self is selfishness, both are evil because the godly love is not self seeking, it is always about others.
Healing/miracles are good but if done for self gain, they become evil and never from God.

Now that you didn't know what tongues are and how they work, i was informing you they are a miracle to the ears of the hearer; the reason Jews spoke in the presence of the gentiles and gentiles in the presence of the Jews and never Jews vs Jews.

Those that you call "only gifts" are still gifts by the same spirit. They drove out demons/ they preached the kingdom of God/ They healed. Healing and driving out demons are miracles, aren't they?
I wrote "only 'gifts'", not "'only gifts'". Don't misquote me and then make inane comments rooted in your inability to read carefully.

Edification is always good... period. Selfishness is not what Paul was implying. As I said before, you can only come to that conclusion if it's your starting point.