Christian Speaking in Tongues

The Gift of Speaking in Tongues

Christianity Oasis provides this Christian Speaking in Tongues and Biblical Speaking in Tongues Biblical lesson on the Gift of Speaking in Tongues today.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 14


Christian Speaking in Tongues

The Gift of Speaking in Tongues

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very intriguing and important Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues study on the Gift of Speaking in Tongues today. The awe inspiring Christian speaking in tongues and the gift of speaking in tongues message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today

Happy to have you back again to enjoy more Daily Bread together. The topic that Paul writes about next is quite interesting ... And quite misunderstood by many. Let's try and clear things up a little bit about speaking in tongues, shall we?

To talk in tongues is a spiritual gift but not everyone will have this talk in tongues gift. If the ability to talk in tongues isn't one of the spiritual gifts that God gave you, it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with you. It doesn't mean you're a spiritual numb skull, or unworthy, or anything like that. Paul explained that to us a few chapters back, remember, in Chapter 12, that we are many parts, but one body of Christ and that there are different gifts for different administrations.

To set your mind at ease even further, let's go back to what Jesus said about the ability talk in tongues.

Mark 16:17-18

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Jesus is saying that these are the signs of His people, not that every person will possess every gift. Does that mean that if you don't talk in tongues, you're not a believer? Heaven's no! It simply means that it isn't the gift that the Holy Spirit gave to you to perform His will through your administration. There are churches where people claim to talk in tongues every week when they attend, and you may find it curious that all the people who attend any one of those given churches, speak the same language. What's my point?

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Explained

First off, what is talking in tongues? The whole purpose of talking in tongues is for the Holy Spirit to speak to another person, through you. Look at Acts 2:4-11, the first time that this mysterious spiritual gift of talking in tongues ever happened. The disciples that did talk in tongues weren't speaking gobbledegook, they were speaking in a universal language where all could understand though they spoke different languages.

Now, people who belong to these congregations where talking in tongues (supposedly) is a regular practice, believe that if you have never talked in tongues, that you must not be saved. This simply is not true. Look at Jesus' Word above again, and I ask you, how many of those people go to their church every week and cast out devils, juggle snakes, sip poison, and heal the sick?

Okay, hopefully your mind is at ease now if talking in tongues is not a Spiritual gift that has been bestowed upon you, but you're still wondering in the back of your mind, Gee, I don't know anybody who has ever talked in tongues. Why is that? Well, perhaps there has been no need. There are many people who speak more than one language who interpret things for others. It's probably a good guess that the Bible is written in every language known to man in present day, whereas back in Biblical times, the availability of the written Word in different languages was quite scarce, if it was even available at all. Greek and Hebrew were probably the only two that were readily available. Another good question to ask ourselves is this: Are we testing the Holy Spirit by asking this?

Keeping in mind now, that talking in tongues was a more common occurrence in Paul's time than it is nowadays, you can probably assume that people back then wanted this amazing gift of talking in tongues to be one of their spiritual gifts. Paul sheds some light on the subject:

Chapter 14:1-5

1 Follow after charity [keep love as your number one priority], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather [chiefly] that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men [as prophets do], but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit [although] in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification [enlighten], and exhortation [for instruction], and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth [builds up] himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth [improves] the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather [even more] that ye prophesied: for [because] greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except [unless] he interpret[s], [so] that the church may receive edifying.

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today is Real

In other words, Paul is saying it is better to prophesy from God so people can hear HIS message than to walk around speaking in a language that nobody understands. It only makes the one speaking appear as though he or she were something special instead of God getting the credit and praise.

Chapter 14:6-14

6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you [what good is it], except [unless] I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine [teaching]?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle [for war]?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air [for no benefit].
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices [languages] in the world, and none of them is without signification [meaningless].
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice [if I don't understand the language], I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian [a foreigner], and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of [Since you are enthusiastic about] spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful [unproductive].

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Truth

Did you catch that? If you pray in an unknown tongue, you may understand it, but your understanding isn't benefiting anyone else. When a message comes to you in "tongues" it is also referred to as a message with the Spirit or by the Spirit. The message must be understood by someone to be useful. So Paul says:

Chapter 14:15-19

15 What is it then? [What should I do when I get a message by the Spirit?] I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. [I will pray and sing so everyone can understand.]
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well [sincerely], but the other [person] is not edified. [They benefit nothing.]
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Now that is cool and very clear ...

Chapter 14:20-21

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, [Below is the scripture Paul is citing:]

Isaiah 28:11-12

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.
12 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.

Chapter 14:22-23

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Concern

😁 ... Can you imagine that? Everyone talking in tongues and nobody having any idea what the others are saying ... What gain is there in this other than the ones speaking ... Thinking highly of themselves.

Chapter 14:24-27

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all [by all that he hears], he is judged of all [he is convicted by Truth]:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest [he will see the light of Truth about his life]; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report [admit] that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine [teaching], hath a tongue [language], hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying [for betterment, not confusion].
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

It's not in a coliseum where many people witness it, but Paul says, at the most, three people, and it is orderly, not everyone talking at once, and one person will be able to interpret. It seems, that in order to speak in tongues, you must be moved by the Spirit ... Controlled by the Holy Spirit. So, that would mean that a person couldn't simply speak in tongues (authentically) just because they wanted to. They would have to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Facts

If anyone appears to be in control of their gift of speaking in tongues, then chances are, they're faking it. (A good test is whether or not someone is there who can interpret the language that they're speaking in.) The Holy Spirit is the one who decides when and where it's going to happen, so if every Sunday at precisely 10:47 a.m. tongues are spoken in a congregation where there are no foreigners that are unbelievers who can understand the Word that is spoken, and it is not interpreted ... Then it's a good bet that somebody is either pretending to speak in tongues for their own self edification or should be directing these words to God in secret as it is written.

Chapter 14:28-35

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other [prophets] judge [whether their message is authentically from the Lord or not].
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace [keep silent].
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted [encouraged].
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets [they cooperate with each other].
33 For God is not the author of confusion [disorder], but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Blessing or Curse

Now this is a topic many ignore or pretend away. It is said that if you're a woman and you want to serve the Lord within your church, there are plenty of things you can do that don't involve speaking to the assembly. You can cook, or baby sit, or start a women's club where you do things like make quilts for the needy. You can teach the children in a Sunday school class, start a women's Bible study group or countless other things that don't involve speaking or usurping authority over men. 1 Timothy 2:11-12

But ... In Acts it says:

Acts 2:17-18

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

This means that what these females speak will not be their own words or teachings but rather ... God's Word revealed by the Holy Spirit through these female vessels. Lets get back to Paul's Study now shall we?

Chapter 14:36-40

36 What? came the word of God out from you? [Did the Word of God originally come from you?] or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge [agree] that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet [desire] to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently [properly] and in order.

Christian Speaking in Tongues & Biblical Speaking in Tongues - The Gift of Speaking in Tongues Today Summary

To be sure that we understand what Paul has said, he sums it up here. He's not accusing anyone of anything, he's simply trying to teach the righteous way of the Lord. He doesn't want any of us to think we know everything. He just wants us to be righteous. He says, Hey, if you think you're gifted in prophecy or spiritual matters, check for yourself with what I've written to know for sure. If you're without knowledge (ignorant) of these gifts, then so be it. (You don't have to pretend.) So, it's good to wish for the gift of prophecy and don't forbid people to speak in tongues, if some are sincerely speaking in tongues you'd never want to stifle the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). And last but not least, God likes order.

You have to admit, speaking in tongues is a fascinating spiritual gift. But I must say one more thing. If you feel like you're missing something by never having spoken in tongues, or never having heard it before, remember what Jesus said to Thomas ... Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

We're getting close to the end of this first letter from Paul to the Corinthians already, and it's been a very enjoyable study. Can't wait to see you next time when we share another chapter, right here at Daily Bread.

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