In Christendom, there is so much confusion and disagreement about speaking in tongues. Yet the Bible clearly states that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). The Church in Corinth was going through a period of confusion about spiritual gifts that Apostle Paul had to address the situation by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today, many Christians in pentecostal and charismatic churches practise speaking in tongues especially in the area of prayer. They claim that praying in tongues edifies them, enables them to speak mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2-4) and in a language that the devil cannot comprehend. The devil has no power over fervent and effectual prayer whether it is said in tongues or not. By the way, on the day of Pentecost, the believers spoke in the languages of the people who gathered to hear them (Acts 2:7-8).
In 1 Corinthians 14, Apostle Paul stated that he who speaks in a tongue speaks to God. Rarely have I heard questions asked the genuineness of the tongues spoken. The possibility of babbling is ignored for the most part. The disparity between the lives of many who speak in tongues and what the Bible stipulates is not usually mentioned. When people claim to speak/pray in tongues and their behaviour is contrary to what the Bible says, questions are raised. Furthermore, very few ask the question as to how, many Christians started speaking in tongues. Can one speak in tongues without the baptism of the Holy Spirit? In the book of Acts, everytime people spoke in tongues, it was because they were baptised in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 11;10:45-46; 19:26). Speaking in tongues always occurred in the book of Acts after the Holy Spirit came upon those who believed.
In Acts 2:7-11, we read "Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” On the day of Pentecost, the apostles and other believers spoke in tongues which were the languages of the Jews in diaspora. In the book of Acts, there is recorded instance of when the people prayed in tongues. Am I against speaking in tongues? NO.
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...18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue...39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:5,18-19, 39-40)
Apostle Paul stated that the speaking with togues should not be forbidden. He wished that all the believers could speak with tongues and said that he would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand words in a tongue. The implication is that there are diverse types of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10) and that speaking in togues is a gift to be desired. However, he who prophesies is greater that he who speaks in togues unless he interprets. The idea here is speaking in tongues is only profitable for the church when there is an interpretation, otherwise it is only the speaker who is edified. In 1 Corinthians 14:12, the Bible says -"Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." The spiritual gifts should be sought and used for the edification of the church.
The issue therefore, is not the speaking in tongues but how the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is used. Just because someone speaks in a tongue does not necessarily mean that the person is filled with the Holy Spirit. There are fake tongues and genuine tongues. How do we distinguish the two? Before I answer that question, it is important to state that if the exercise of a spiritual gift causes confusion, then there is something seriously wrong. The Corinthian believers exercised their spiritual gifts without regard for one another. "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." (1 Corinthians 14:26). Things should be done in order and for the edification of the church; which is why Apostle Paul stipulated the need for interpretation of tongues (1 Corithians 14:27-29).
With regard to distinguishing between which tongue is true and which is false, the Fire Bible has an interesting commentary -
Speaking in "other tongues", or the showing of any other supernatural activity, is not necessarily undeniable proof of the Holy Spirit's work and presence. What appears to be speaking in tongues may not be from God. It can be an imitation of the real experience by human effort or demonic activity. In this case, it is false and counterfeit. The Bible cautions us not to believe every spirit or what seems to be a spiritual expression. Instead, we should examine whether a spiritual experience really does come from God...
- To follow the common pattern that is experienced and that which is found in the book of Acts, speaking in tongues is the spontaneous and automatic result of a person's original experience of being baptised in the Holy Spirit.
- If someone claiming to speak in tongues is not committed to Christ and the authority of God's Word. and is not attempting to obey the Word, whatever experiences or expressions he or she may have are not from God's Spirit (Fire Bible: English Standard Version, page 1802)
Today, there are many people who claim to be Christians, and "speak in tongues" and live contrary to God's Word. There are many who speak in "tongues" but have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit; there are many who speak in "tongues" after being "taught" to speak in tongues. There is no instance in the Bible where people were taught to speak in tongues. It is the Holy Spirit who gives utterance (Acts 2:4). To claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live an unholy life is a contradiction in terms.
Where speaking in tongues is genuine, it must be stated that the underlying principle is that of the edification of the church. Many have argued that in a church setting, it is acceptable for all present to pray out in tongues and in these situations almost everyone speaks out in tongues simultaneously. That is not what the Bible states. Apostle Paul made it absolutely clear that
"If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." (1 Corinthians 14:27-28).
He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God (1 Corithians 14:2). No one understands him and he does not understand himself (v.14). So the question may be asked: if a prayer point is given and someone decides to pray in tongues, how does he/she know whether their prayer is focused on the prayer point? Isn't it better to pray in tongues in one's closet, edify oneself and then in the assembly of brethren, pray with understanding to edify the brethren just as Apostle Paul said he would? (1 Corinthians 14:19). It is interesting than many believers focus on tongues and disregard prohecy. Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corithians 14:1-5,
"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."
"He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues..." unless he interprets. Why then do many believers stop at speaking in tongues? One of the reasons is that the prophecy of the one who prophesies comes under scrutiny the moment it is uttered. That is to say people would be waiting and watching for the fulfilment of the prophecy and if it does not come to pass, then of course, it would be evident that the prophecy was false.
My dear brethren, let us do things in an orderly manner. In our private devotions, we may speak on tongues, seak to God and edify ourselves. In an assembly, there should be an interpretation if someone speaks in tongues audibly. Finally verse 28 shows us what to do if we want to pray in tongues in an assembly and there is no interpretation. We should be silent and speak to ourselves and God. That is to say we should pray quietly to God. We must remember that in verse 13 of 1 Corinthians 14, we are admonished to pray that we may interpret. We can use the valuable gift of speaking in tongues in such a way tat confusion is avoided and God's Name is glorified. God bless you as you ponder over this write-up.
