A Beginner’s Guide to Speaking in Tongues
Before reading this blog post, click HERE to read 1 Corinthians 14.
For many Christians, speaking in tongues is an uncomfortable idea. With all of the suspicion that is present when the topic arises, it makes clarity on what is right and what is wrong very difficult. If you add all of the various interpretations of St. Paul’s words to the mix, you can feel helpless.
The basic definition of speaking in tongues is this: the different language one speaks when the Holy Spirit gives a believer the opportunity to talk to or about God.
Here are some observations on 1 Corinthians 14 I believe will help clarify what we can affirm about speaking in tongues:
(1) Not everyone has the gift of speaking in tongues.
(2) Speaking in tongues builds us up personally. Prophecy builds up the church.
(3) In a public setting, such as worship, have someone to interpret. If not, keep silent.
(4) Speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers.
(5) The gift of speaking in tongues still exists today.
(6) Do not forbid speaking in tongues entirely.
(7) Not every worship service or public, Christian gathering has to have speaking in tongues.
Here is a list of the more commonly debated points on speaking in tongues, from my perspective:
(1) Some people believe that speaking in tongues does not occur today in the same way it was seen in the early church. That was a specific gift for a specific time, and that time ended long ago. Speaking in tongues was a common practice in pagan religions at the time of the early church, and the early church’s use was meant to be distinct from what was happening in the cultic temples and shrines.
(2) Some groups believe that speaking in tongues is the sign that you are a Christian. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will speak in tongues.
(3) Some people believe that true speaking in tongues will always be a known language. The belief is that, in order to be an encouragement or sign to the unbeliever, and following the Pentecost model of Acts chapter 2, there has to be recognizable language markers, though they may not understand what is being said. I may not be able to understand someone speaking Spanish or Japanese, but I can distinguish that it is a real language.
(4) Some groups believe that emotion has lead people to falsely believe they have the gift of speaking in tongues. If you’re in an environment where speaking in tongues is encouraged and there is a powerful worship connection, emotional release may manifest itself in what appears to be speaking in tongues, but it is really overload on the senses and the body doesn’t quite know how to react.
(5) Because there is the danger of misuse in regards to speaking in tongues, some pastors and church leaders believe it is better to not practice it at all.
The words of 1 Corinthians 14 are both words of exhortation and warning on speaking in tongues. It seems, according to 1 Corinthians 14:12 that the church was eager to see God working in real, tangible ways in the lives of the people. In his words to the Corinthian church, St. Paul wants to clarify how speaking can be a proper tool for our spiritual growth and the expansion of God’s Kingdom. But, there was a real and present danger of speaking in tongues becoming an idol or a mark of true spirituality. So, if speaking in tongues was present, use it in a proper and orderly fashion.
Because many pastors and church leaders question whether someone has the authentic gift of speaking in tongues, there are many churches where it is simply forbidden. I must confess that I do not know of a litmus test to discern true speaking in tongues, but I have known people who believe that God has given them this gift. I believe it makes many Christians, outside of a Charismatic/Pentecostal background, very uncomfortable. But, to build up our knowledge of God and His Word (as we are called to do), I believe we need to wrestle with what it means to be encouraging when it comes to speaking in tongues. So, let us dialogue. Amen.
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