The Words We Speak
Why do so many Christians think we need tongues to have a relationship with God??
Have we believed a lie, or this really what God is desiring for us to have?? Is this “gift” meant for us to build a relationship with Him??
Many focus on this practice as a communicating tool with God, that focuses on the individual using a language/groaning’s that we ourselves cannot understand. Yet, many of these Christians, believe they are talking with God/Christ and building a bond built upon His foundation. The most confusing statements and understandings of tongues has been presented through misinterpretation, and a manipulation of His word.
If this is purposeful or not, none of this is beneficial for our salvation. In this conversation, we will dive into the idea of what tongues was used for and if it is still relevant for today.
What We Fight For
The Charismatic ideals are the mainstream and have infiltrated almost every single theology within the body of Christ. From Catholics to Pentecostals(predominantly) and all Christians between across the globe. So why is this so dangerous?? Why then, are the Charismatics a group we need to be concerned about… And why do we need to call them to repentance?? The statements we will address are as follows:
- You need to speak in tongues to prove you are filled with the Holy Spirit
- Tongues is a secret language between you and God
- Tongues is used to edify the believer
- Speaking in tongues is allowed within the church walls
Do you need to speak in tongues to prove we are spirit filled??
The short answer is no. 1 Corinthians 12:30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
What is Paul doing here?? He is clearly hinting that not all Christians have this gift or ability to speak in tongues, or for that matter, we all lack the ability to have every gift. He is indirectly telling the Corinths, by what he is asking, that tongues isn’t the only gift that makes a “Christian” a Christian.
This is not by any means telling us that tongues is not needed at all (if it is still relevant)… But, in chapter 12 Paul speaks about how we all work together to make the body of Christ stronger.
That’s why Paul speaks about our unity in 1 Corinthians 12:13-31. He stresses the importance of the functionality for all members of the body, and how each member has a different purpose, and with that, we are designed to be glued, or woven together for the edification of the saints.
But, if all had every gift, then all would be able to do all things, and we would not need anyone for edification, rebuke, or guidance. The body would simply not be the body. Because we would be every member… And that’s the beauty of the body of Christ, that God has given all of us specific gifts to fill out the whole or entirety of the church.
So no… Tongues is not needed for salvation. It is clearly a gift that is given to some and not to others.
Tongues is a secret language between you and God??
Is there any proof that tongues is a secret language between you and God?? If there is, is it being misused?? This may be the largest lie that has traveled the entirety of the world. Most look to 1 Corinthians, or they point to scriptures, that suggest, the Holy Spirits groaning’s, is exactly what is being done today, in God’s church. The audible sound of repetitions as we so call “pray” to God with no understanding.
“A lie can travel half way around the world before the truth can get its boots on ”
– Jonathan Smith
In Romans 8:26-27, 8:22-23 – These verses are probably one of the closes examples, people use, of praying in tongues that we see today in the Charismatic church’s. Where, many say, these groaning’s that we hear, is directly from the Holy Spirit speaking on our behalf… And that, this is, what was done in the early days of God’s Church’s.
I would say yes, the Holy Spirit does speak on our behalf… But, these groans are not an audible sound that echoes in the air. As you can see in the text it is one that is inward or silent. How would we get to this conclusion. In 23 it states “even we ourselves groan within ourselves” and in 26 “Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered”. This is quite interesting. When the spirit speaks it is inwardly or something we ourselves cannot utter (to speak out loud). Therefore, this is done on the behalf of the Holy Spirit, making intercession for us, to God, for His will to be done. See Commentary (Bible Study Tools)
Then in 1 Corinthian 13:1-3 – This is a metaphor. But how do we know?? Paul says if he can speak as an angel, which many use, as the example of Paul using tongues, yet just before he says “speak as an angel” he states, if I speak with the “tongues of man”. He also notes, or “If I can move a mountain”, in which he never did. That’s why I think it is safe to say, he is using Hyperbole. He is going from one point, speaking to men in their language, to the extreme of speaking in the language of angels.
He wants the Corinth’s to understand that no matter what gift/s they have, or the countless amount of faith they can possess, they are nothing without love.
That God is clearly illustrating to us that the greatest gift or ability is not something that can make people mesmerized, but one that is ever lasting, and suffers all things. That, the love of Christ, is the greatest, in which we can search for, or even desire to have.
Lastly, 1 Cor. 12:8-11 – Paul speaks different kind of tongues in 12:10. Different kinds?? When many speak in tongues today in the church it is a mumbling of words. Mind you, the same kind or type of mumbling of words. Paul is believed to be referring to speaking in languages, native to that land, when regarding, to speaking in tongues. To reach the Greeks, Romans, Asians, Africans. Moving across the Globe bringing the word of God to all those who have ears to hear. Matthew 11:15
Still, none of these examples state that tongues is a secret language that the devil doesn’t understand. So your prayers can’t be hacked by the demons that lurk around you.
Hence in Matthew 6:7-15 Jesus makes it clear how to pray. He says do not pray in vein repetitions, but to pray diligently, with precision. For your Father already knows what you need, therefore, just pray… 1 John 5:14-15 And when you pray, pray for His will and not yours. That is the truth of being a Christian, the authority and obedience we have in Him.
Tongues is used to edify oneself??
1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Most believe this scripture is specifically talking about, that tongues, is used to edify oneself. This is most likely not the case. If we look to the next scripture, he speaks that not all have tongues, and that he would want all to have the ability, but he knows we do not. That most importantly… One to interpret is needed to speak in toungues..
1 Corinthians 14:5 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.
Paul is clearly distinguishing that without an interpreter being around, then tongues is used for nothing. If anything, for that silver lining to be found, then the one who speaks only does so, to his own benefit. That prophesying and tongues, comes to an equal standing, when there is an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 14:12-14 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. — see more 1 Corinthians 14:6-19
The spirit prays, but there is none, not even oneself to interpret the tongues, then the edification is useless. Therefore, it is unfruitful, even for the one who is praying, if he himself, does not understand. So many use 1 Corinthians as an example of praying in tongues. Yet, Paul is rebuking the church in Corinth and calling them to stop their love for useless tangents if it does nothing to edify the church or even themselves.
Therefore tongues does nothing to edify oneself!! That’s why in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 he thanks God for the ability to speak in tongues, but that he rather speak 5 words with understanding then a ten thousand words in a tongue no man can be edified from. Our words should not be useless symbols without a tune, a foreigner to our brothers, or words being spoken into the air. We should be focused and forthright with our understanding, blessing ourselves, and blessing those who are around us. That the edification of the church, is that, towhich we seek to excel.
Speaking in tongues is allowed within the church walls??
People use tongues all the time in the Charismatic church’s. They speak openly in “this language”. But, let me play devils advocate for a moment. Lets say the tongues that is being spoken is real, and is functionally operating within your church today… Are you, or your church, doing it correctly?? In 1 Corinthians 14:27, after noting that tongues is for the unbeliever and not the saint, he states that if tongues is to be used, it is done by two or most three… And most importantly, with an interpreter. If there is no interpreter one should not speak in tongues, but to stay silent for it serves nothing for the edification of the church.
With that said, is tongues something you should be practicing within the church walls?? I would say no. If it does not edify the church, then it does nothing for the church!!
End
We have clearly chosen the lie over God’s truth. I myself never want to put God into a box and say this can never happen, but we so badly want to be accepted, that we forget the only persons opinion that truly matters in the end… Is the one who will judge us.
Yet, so many Christians have a false sense of salvation/relationship, because they follow the masses with vain repetitions. I know we have forgotten, or maybe, we have never known, why we go to church in the first place, and that was/is to edify the saints. Not to be showy, or to prop ourselves up, but to learn, grow, and prepare ourselves for the week that lies ahead of us.
Hence in 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 tongues was never for ourselves, it was always for the unbelievers. But… If we all speak in an unknown language, those who are not believers will think we are mad and will not be beneficiaries of the edification. Hence, it is a sign for the unbelievers, only when it comes to those, who we cannot communicate too, so that they too, can have the salvation that Christ brought with Him when He died upon the cross.
