To Speak or Not To Speak

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV): to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Speaking in Tongues, Glossolalia, or prayer language, today no matter what your background in church or doctrinal belief is this seems to be a much debated subject.  Out of all the manifestations, the one that would seem to be easiest to understand it is probably the most misunderstood and improperly taught.  

Before I start on this subject, I want to make it clear that I speak in an unknown language and believe it is for every believer.  In this article I will try to make my case clear and help separate some myth and misunderstandings.  I want to talk about the manifestation of speaking in tongues and it being different from the ability to speak an unknown tongue in prayer.

I grew up in Pentecost and started speaking in what I will call my prayer language, (I will hope to explain this better later.) at the age of ten.  I was not looking for it and it was not in a church setting.  I was in someone’s home in a prayer meeting with my parents, just kneeling there because that was what I was told to do.  Like any other ten year old my mind wondered to and fro not really praying.  Then there was a presence there I had felt and seen before in services where God’s power was at work.  I knew I had a call of God on my life and as much as a ten year old could, I loved God and loved to see His power at work.  You see by the time I was ten; I had already seen many great undeniable miracles and felt that God had miraculously answered a prayer for me a few years earlier.  I knew how much I wanted to follow God and serve Him in ministry.  That night I cried out to God for all He could give me and I began to speak in an unknown language.  No one was pushing me to speak, this just happened by my simple faith.

Over the years I have heard much teaching on this subject, from that it is not of God to some wacky charismatic emotionalism.  I have even heard some say it is from the Devil.  Then on the other hand we have in my time had people going around holding classes teaching people how to speak in tongues like it was just another language a person could learn.  In groups I had been around, there have been some who say you are not even saved if you don’t speak in tongues.

I hope to break through some of these barriers in this simple post.  You know my back ground now and may say that I am no different than any of those other tongue talkers.  I want you to know that over the years I have been observing and studying, asking questions.  I often never found answers to my questions from others and I want to be one who helps others like you find some answers.  I was taught that the Holy Spirit was a separate endowment and completed my salvation, speaking in tongues was the evidence of that endowment. I no longer hold that view and please let me explain. 

To start, I have come to believe that the gift of holy spirit is not a person, but God’s presence and power given to all believers at the new birth.  We are all born of that incorruptible seed by God’s spirit.   (study John three, Acts, Romans eight, Galatians four, just for starters)  this is the baptism of Jesus that John spoke about in Mathew 3.11.  In Acts 10 Cornelius and his household upon hearing the gospel message believed and spoke in tongues, this all happened at once.  (I may deal with this subject more in another blog , but for now let’s get back to tongues)

Now that we have cleared the air where I stand and where I am coming from let’s talk about tongues. Let’s deal with the ideal of a prayer language, a language of another people.  Is it for everyone?  Why should we allow it?  Is it the only evidence of God’s indwelling presence?  How should we teach it?  How should it operate in the church?  Do we need it in today’s church?  Did God stop this after John the Apostle died?

We should start at the birth of the church since this is when the gift of holy spirit was poured out and as far as I know it has not been taken back.

(Acts 2:1-4 NASB)  And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. {2} And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

(Acts 2:6-8 NASB)  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. {7} And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? {8} "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

Notice the phrase “as the Spirit was giving them utterance” compare it to what Paul said when He was addressing the manifestations of the spirit.  (1 Cor 12:11 NKJV)  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. It is the spirit that is at work, not our own wills and desires.  The scripture never tells us that they spoke another actual language, but is does say everyone heard their own language spoken.  I am not saying they were not speaking another human language just pointing out an observation.  There are those who believe they spoke in a heavenly language and there are those who believe they spoke in another human language.  Since there is no real follow up writings on this matter it may not be completely proven one way or the other. 

Let’s say that they spoke in another language, because if it was not then there should have been someone there to interpret, according to Paul.  How else would the whole assembly there be edified and stop to hear Peter’s message.  This falls in line with the ideal of spreading the gospel message.  As Paul addressed it in 1Cor.12, “to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues”, the spirit moves on some with different kinds of tongues.  In 1 Cor 13.1 there are tongues of men and angels.

So let’s say that the spirit can choose to move within someone to speak in another language to draw attention to a group of unbelievers for the gospel.  Then could not the spirit move upon someone to hear and understand another language for the gospel sake?  Besides those who do not believe that signs and wonders are for today, I believe God still does and will use signs such as this to further the gospel message.  I have read many past missionary accounts of such manifestations and heard many more stories. It needs to be noted that many of those stories where in times past when men and women heard the call and went to another country with no formal training or interpreter.  Today most missionaries have formal training in a language group or have interpreters, hence the lack of need for such a manifestation. Another point to make is if the manifestation of tongues is another human language, then there is no point in needing them in an assembly of believers.  So I have come to understand that the manifestation of tongues is not the same as a spiritual prayer language.

I want to be clear here that nowhere in the Bible are we ever commanded to speak in tongues, it is the spirit that gives the utterance to those who are willing.  Concerning speaking another language it is not often needed in ordinary gatherings that would explain what Paul said in (1 Cor 12:30 NKJV) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

You see all those in the upper room that day where willing and anticipating for something to happen.  God will not force or command you to speak; it is about a spiritual connection with Him in relationship.

Let’s look at another aspect or part of speaking in tongues.  I call it a prayer language or speaking unto God.  For starters we will look at some scriptures and then I will share from my heart what I feel is a solid point of view.

(1 Cor 13:1 NKJV)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

(1 Cor 14:2 NKJV)  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 Cor 14:4 NKJV)  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

(1 Cor 14:14 NKJV)  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

(1 Cor 14:15 NKJV)  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

(1 Cor 14:39 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

(Rom 8:26-27 NKJV)  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. {27} Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Jude 1:20 NKJV)  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (all above emphasis mine)

I think one could make a clear case that there is a language not known to man.  Maybe a language of angels or even a spiritual language that God speaks to our inner person, bypassing all our logic. A language God speaks that will bring healing to the deep emotional wounds within us.  Paul seems to make it clear that it is unto the Lord and could be done in song, groanings, and is personally unto the Lord.  This should not be done out loud and by everyone at the same time, for it just leads to confusion.

What about this prayer language? Should everyone speak it?  Is it what the early church heard when others spoke as God’s spirit fell, such as in Acts ten?  Could this have been what they looked for as evidence? In my own life I know what it has meant to me and how it has strengthened me in times of my troubled spirit. 

Let me describe it this way.  I can study and know God and His ways through His word, but in times of a deep troubled spirit that alone does not get me through.  God created my emotions and He wants us to worship Him with all our being, not just out of our knowledge.  Do we need knowledge and truth? Absolutely, yes! Should I depend solely on the emotional?  Absolutely, not! Too much of either one will make one unbalanced.  I am a Star Trek fan, and there are two main characters, one called Spock who denies his emotions, the other is Kirk who lives by his emotions.  By themselves they are unbalanced, but together they make a great team of knowledge, logic, and emotion.

What does a prayer language do for me?  It is a builder of my most inner man.  Those deep emotional scars are laid bare and healed.  It is like a deep intimate relationship with the one you love.  You can know everything about them and learn to understand them, but that is not what makes the deep loving relationship.  It is that deep personal intimacy of becoming as one and reaching deep within each others emotions that makes a relationship great. I truly believe this is what God wants from us, like what Jesus said in John four. (John 4:23-24 NKJV)  "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. {24} "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." As Jude tells us building up our faith, strengthening our inner man.  It is what the Bible calls the seat of who we are, often calling it our heart; some call it the spirit of man.  It is where our moral battles take place and where real spiritual growth happens.  This is where I believe God wants to really connect with us and a spiritual prayer language makes that happen.

There has been a number of times I have been so worn and wounded within that all I could do was go to my God, Daddy, Lord in prayer.  I could not pray in a language I knew but only jibberish, and groaning. After a long period of time I would feel a deep emotional release in my spirit. I was built up and strengthened for my journey in life.  It is in those times I hear from God and know in my heart He is at work in me.     

So I pray and worship in the spirit as often as I can.  I don’t do it for others; I do it for me and my relationship with God.  Yes I speak in tongues and feel my life would be incomplete without it. 

I have run out of time today and will continue this next time.

Counterfeit or Real

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV)  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

In our world high cost and ways to make a fast buck, there are so many counterfeits.  At times without a trained eye it is hard to tell the real from the counterfeit.  I remember a trip I had to the Philippines some years ago.  As I was walking through a park I was confronted by many sales people.  One was persistent shoving sunglasses in my face saying “Ray bans”.  Finally after a time I asked how much and he shouted out only $10.  Knowing that good quality sunglasses cost much more than that, I asked to take a closer look and found the spelling off by one letter, COUNTERFEIT!  On another trip to another country with a companion we ran into a similar situation and I had a hard time convincing my travel partner not to buy, for they were counterfeits.

Then, there was a time in our own city when I saw a scam at work.  Many years ago I owned a remodeling business.  One day while working on a room addition someone pulled up in a car telling us they got stuck with several new VCRs and needed to sell them.  I had an employee get suckered.  I tried to tell him it was too good to be true and that he should not do it.  At that time VCRs were still costly and the guy was offering them at a bargain price.  I thought maybe they were stolen, but the guy showed some kind of receipt.  I still had my doubts, but the young man wanted a VCR.  He gave the man the money and the guy drove off.  Now the box seemed to be still stapled and sealed by the manufacture.  The young man opened the box and what was inside was a big brick.

You see, this is how false teaching and deceiving spirits work.  They seem legit and promise big things, but when all is settled each person that had been deceived is left empty and disillusioned.  Satan, the enemy of the church works much the same way, in his attempts to trip up God’s people to cast off their faith.  The spirits of evil and deception operate in churches by people who look like any other believers.  On the outside they look like the real deal, but what’s inside is empty and false. 

In the Christian world we have so many different teachings and doctrines; it is hard for one to tell the real from the counterfeit.  From the churches earliest years, even before all the founding Apostles were even gone there were those creeping in with false teachings.  Read the letter to the churches in Revelations and see what many of them dealt with, as well as the following examples.

 (2 Pet 2:1-2 NRSV)  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.

 (2 Tim 2:16-18 NKJV)  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. {17} And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, {18} who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

This is why we need to know God’s Word and be filled with His spirit and allow Him to lead us.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about God’s spirit manifesting in the believers and the body of Christ.  We find him telling them that as needed the spirit will work in a manifestation of knowing what spirit is at work.  To put it this way God wants to work through us so we can tell the difference between the counterfeit and real.  Let me say this, for there to be a false, there has to be a real. 

The false is always similar to or almost exactly like the real.  A person would not be so easily deceived if the false looked nothing like the real.  We need to trust in the leading of God’s spirit to help us know the difference.  We cannot lean on our own feelings and emotions because they too can be easily tricked.  We cannot solely lean on our traditional doctrines because they could be teachings of men replacing biblical truths.  We cannot trust in the majority, like a good magic act a whole crowd of spectators are all fooled even if just one is not.  There are so many teachings today that are popular and have a great number of followers, but that does not make it truth.  We have many ministries and churches full of emotion and demonstrations, but when in times of real trial we find so many empty and wanting.  Don’t get me wrong I myself love a great worship experience that I put my whole heart and emotion into, but I don’t put my faith in that.  I must be full of the Word of God and trust in His spirit to lead me into truth.

  (2 Tim 2:15-16 NRSV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. {16} Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

(John 16:13 NRSV)  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

There are real spiritual manifestations today, but we should not take those for granite and test them all.  In all the years of growing up in Pentecostal, Charismatic church’s, what I have seen is a real lack of proper teaching and understanding of the spiritual manifestations.  Because of the lack or improper teachings, we have seen so many misunderstandings and abuse in the churches that allow spiritual manifestations. 

I believe there are three areas we need the discerning of spirits. First, we have an enemy, Satan, who is a liar and deceiver, out to trip up God’s children.  Satan and his demons know how to incite our emotions and present something that looks and feels so real.  If we are not careful we get so caught up in excitement and personalities that we get tricked into accepting something to be real when it is actually not from God.

Second, there is the human element of error or deception.  This is because of several reasons.  As stated before improper or lack of good teaching on this matter is a major reason.  I have also seen well intentioned people jump out a head of God’s spirit and operate on their own; this is often with disastrous results.  Then we have men and women who for gain use tricks to look like it is God’s manifestation.

Then there is the real, but because of the false many shy away in skepticism.  They need to be around those who in love will minister God’s goodness.  They need to be around those who will allow the skeptics to ask questions and through relationships trust those to judge and prove what was manifested is of God.

We are instructed to test all things and see if they are from God, yet, often we throw logic out the door and let too many things happen in churches that should not be.  Then, we have Charismatic leaders who put down those who question what they have done.  Let’s face it, if someone says they are a prophet and they miss it far more often than hit it they should be called out on their false prophecies.   Yet, we should not be too critical or judge a mater not of God just because the person being the instrument of the manifestation does not have the same doctrinal views as yours, unless it is a denial of Jesus that came in the flesh and the son of God.  Let’s see what the word says about this.

 (1 Th 5:21-22 NRSV)  but test everything; hold fast to what is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil.

(1 John 4:1-13 NRSV)  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. {2} By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, {3} and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. {4} Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. {5} They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. {6} We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. {7} Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. {9} God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. {10} In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. {11} Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. {12} No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. {13} By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

In closing this week, I want to say that discerning of spirits is probably one of the most important to operate in the body of Christ.  This is the one that requires God’s love at work and good teaching. Without God’s love at work we will come off prudish and judgmental.  This is a manifestation that requires patience and quietness to wait on the Lord in matters of the manifestations.  It can not be confused with intuition and feelings.  A person must be strong and of great courage, because there will be times to speak out against something that is accepted by the majority.  Yet, I feel those that God uses in this manifestation need to be meek and humble before God and all men.  If today, there is a need for a certain manifestation to be in operation when any others are present, it is this one.  We need to know the false from the real.