Speaking in tongues

[Asiyreh]

I don't like this practice not one bit. People dancing and waving there arms in a church like they were demon possessed; the fruits of this doctrine seem clearly evident.

I'm debating one of these Pentecostals and I admit he's got me pinned down:

14 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. 1 Corinthians 14 - NKJV

or NIV

14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. NIV

Now admittedly it only grants them permission to do this in private, however what do you think, is this spirit talking biblical?

[Woody]

"Like the voice of the great deep, rose from the vast hosts of Israel that sublime ascription. It was taken up by the women of Israel, Miriam, the sister of Moses, leading the way, as they went forth with timbrel and dance. Far over desert and sea rang the joyous refrain, and the mountains reechoed the words of their praise." . . . {BLJ 13.2}

WE are called to praise the Lord.

PRAISE THE LORD

[JoeMo]

Speaking as one who suddenly received the gift of a prayer language (aka speaking in tongues) about 2 years ago along with about 6 - 8 other men in our congregation, I find it very real. When our Pastor learned of this, we were advised to only practice it in private; as it tends to "creep out" others who aren't used to it. besides, what good is it to use in public worship if nobody understands what you're saying?

It actually made me weep the first few times I did it, because of the overwhelming presence of God it that seemed to accompany it. I would guess that over half of the people in our congregation have received this gift at present; and all find it very edifying after getting over the inital shock of it. It is completely controllable and voluntary - it's not like you are possessed. You know in your mind in general what you are praying for/about; although you could not give a verbatim translation. Generally it feels like praising!

There are other, more important spiritual gifts that are being made manifest in the church today (e.g., prophecy, discernment, and healing). I'm trying to get a broader discussion of the latter day outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that accompany it over in "What Adventists Believe" -> "Is the Latter Rain Falling All Around Us" if anyone is interested in a broader discussion of spiritual gefts.

[M. T. Cross]

I don't like this practice not one bit. People dancing and waving there arms in a church like they were demon possessed; the fruits of this doctrine seem clearly evident.

14 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. 1 Corinthians 14 - NKJV

[JoeMo]

EmptyCross,

You ask "If this is a great gift from the spirit of your God, then why would he not also bless you with the ability to understand your self the words you are saying?"

My answer - I don't know! Like I said in my post, I know in my mind in general what I'm praying for/about; although I could not give a verbatim translation. Generally it feels like praising. Romas 8:26 says:

"we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

That's the closest thing I have for an answer. Also, as I said in my post, one can feel the closeness of God when they pray in their prayer language - that seems to be a universal response from people who have one.

I want to emphasize that having a prayer language does NOT make me feel like I'm holier than anyone else. It does make me feel close to God.

Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb,

JoeMo

[M. T. Cross]

Oh I was not in any way implying that you were acting holier than thou. I think it is great that you had those experiences. Moving experiences like that come seldom and you should cherish them deeply.

I am interested in the following two statements you made in your first post

Quote:

It actually made me weep the first few times I did it, because of the overwhelming presence of God it that seemed to accompany it.

Quote:

It is completely controllable and voluntary - it's not like you are possessed. You know in your mind in general what you are praying for/about; although you could not give a verbatim translation.

I would like to ask you a question about these statements. But first let my assure you this question is asked without any judgement or even a personal opinion - but it is leading somewhere.

The question is this - do you think the Devil, or some other demonic/evil entity would have the ability to cause an experience that brought up these emotions and senses in you?

[Umfundize]

This is very easy to explain.

The problem in Corinth was that there were many members of different language backgrounds. Some of them would pray in a language NO ONE ELSE UNDERSTOOD. The fact that the SPEAKER understood meant nothing to the hearers. God understood the prayer, but the speakers understanding of what he was praying about was UNFRUITFUL to the others.

Better to use a language all can understand, and sing from the hymnbook all can sing with! Therefore "in the spirit" (the speaker's innermost being) he speaketh MYSTERIES, why, because he uses a real LANGUAGE the others do not understand.

No such thing as "prayer language"! It is the natural reaction of some, under emotional pressure, to make these noises, like a safety valve. People experience a psychological CATHARSIS..and "feel so good" afterwards. All games of the MIND!

[JoeMo]

Umfundize,

Like i said - we NEVER use a prayer language in public worship - our pastor does not allow it; and it "creeps out" most Adventists. I use it most when I am all alone. There may be no such thing as a prayer language to you; but it is very real to me, and a true blessing.

EmptyCross,

No worries, brother, I truly appreciate your honest inquiry and concern. If I understand rightly the meaning of "by your fruits you shall know them", I must discount the possibility that this gift came from the evil one. I'm not bragging here; but I honestly believe that I have experienced a more victorious Christian life since I received this gift. In addition, doors have been opened for me in the church since this happened. No one except people in my local church and on this forum know about this gift; yet I am being asked to teach Sabbath School and lead worship in other churches lately - no explanation why.

As far as this being an emotional reaction, the emotions came AFTER the fact - not before. None of us had any idea this was coming. We were simply praying together on Pentecost and BOOM! - it happened. I have no better explanation. I try to focus on the Giver - not the gifts. I welcome any feedback or questions you may have.

Be Blessed,

JoeMo

[Woody]

Cool JoeMo. Praise God for your gift.

Rightly used - I am sure it is a tremendous blessing

[OzarkWoman]

On one hand I am pretty sure that your God speaks most earthly languages so one can praise him just as well using one of those

My question is this. If this is a great gift from the spirit of your God, then why would he not also bless you with the ability to understand your self the words you are saying?

The way I understand the Bible, and the way our pastors teach it, is that if one does get the gift of tongue, there will ALWAYS be someone who can interpret. I believe that it is meant to be that if someone(s) attend a church meeting of any kind and they speak another language, then someone might possible suddenly get the gift of tongues to be able to interact with said foreigners.

[JoeMo]

I beg to differ OW. The Bible speaks of unknown tongues - a language to be solely used for communication between God and man:

"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" (1 Cor. 14:2)

I also beg to differ that there will always be someone there to interpret. Paul advises people not to use their gift unless there is someone to interpret:

"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. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God" (1 Cor. 14:27-28)

Tongues is the least of the spiritual gifts; but prophecy - there's a gift! Tongues edifies only the speaker and the non believer; whereas prophecy edifies the whole church! I would much rather have the gift of prophecy than the gift of tongues. Come to think of it, I would rather have the Giver than any of the gifts!

Be Blessed;

JoeMo