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SPEAKING IN UNKNOWN TONGUES A God-given Spiritual Manifestation of the
SPIRIT?
Million of Pentecostals and Charismatics (not to mention other Protestant and Catholic tongues speakers) claim to possess a gift from God which enables them to "speak in unknown tongues." What is the Scriptural truth regarding this popular Christian doctrine which is claimed to be a primary proof that one either does or does not possess God's Holy Spirit? That there are millions of such sincere people desirous of worshiping God in truth as they understand it, I have no doubt. However, the truth will always set us free, so shouldn't we desire the truth at all cost? Is it possible that what appears to many on the surface to be a marvelous blessing from God is in reality nothing more than a physical display of the carnal flesh? It behooves all tongues-speakers to read this paper carefully and prayerfully, with an open mind and an open Bible. If modern tongue-talking is not of God, then those who do it are not free, but in bondage, and as such will never be free or grow in God's Truth. TRYING THE SPIRITS I John 4:1 tells us:
Notice that we are to "try the spirits" because there are "false prophets" in the world. Therefore, it is axiomatic that the words of these false prophets are also false. What then are "true spirits"?
Next, where did Jesus get His "words?"
So the Father's words are truth, and Jesus speaks the Father's words. Now notice what kind of words Jesus speaks:
And so we try the spirits by testing the words of Christ against those of the prophets to see whether the words of a prophet are true or false. THAT, my friends is how we try the spirits, not by looking into someone's eyes to see if they are demon possessed or not. One more important point we want to make in trying the spirits by using Christ's words of spirit, and that is to see whether the Apostles spoke these same spirit words of truth. Here is the admonition of Paul regarding how and what we teach:
By using the words of the Apostles and the words of Christ, we will be using the very words of the Father, and against these SPIRIT WORDS can be tried all spirits-all prophets. With this simple and profound principle firmly in mind, let us proceed to try the spirits of tongue-talkers. THE ONLY THREE EXAMPLES OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES Of the 20 times "tongues" is used with reference to a gift from God, there are only three examples of anyone actually speaking in another language:
Keep in mind that they spoke of: "the wonderful works of God"
Keep in mind that they heard: "God magnified"
Keep in mind that they: "prophesied-that's inspired speaking from God" There are no other examples of anyone supernaturally speaking in a language, in all Scripture. Also, let it be known that there is no known proof of any persons since the time of these miracles in the first century Church of Christ speaking in any of these above mentioned languages, or any other known modern language in which they had no prior formal training. CLARIFYING SOME VERY IMPORTANT WORDS The King James term " unknown tongue" is itself part of the confusion over understanding this doctrine. First, the word "unknown": Is there even such a thing as an "unknown" tongue in the Scriptures? No, there isn't. Although most modern translations have dropped the word "unknown" from the phrase " unknown tongue," the King James retains it, and is therefore still looked upon as authority for the use of this unscriptural term. The erroneous term " unknown tongue" is used but six times in the King James (I Cor. 14:2, 4, 13, 14, 19, & 27,) and in every instance, the word unknown is in italics, signifying that the original Greek manuscripts did not contain this or any such word. It was erroneously added by the translators and should be taken out. It only adds more confusion to this little-understood doctrine. Hence, in our discussion we will not be using this unscriptural word. Second, the words "tongue & tongues": The word translated both "tongue" and "tongues" is the Greek word glossa and aside from meaning the organ of the body used in speaking, it means "a language." It is used in the plural (tongues,) with reference to supernaturally speaking in a language (a foreign language,) a total of 20 times, but only in Acts and I Corinthians. Where glossa is not a supernatural gift, it is clearly used to represent a known language, as in Rev. 10:11, 13:7 & 17:15 where some combination of "...peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues [ Gk: glossa- languages] ..." is used. So, in our discussion we will use the proper translation, "language or languages," in place of the archaic and somewhat ambiguous term "tongue." So clearly the disciples spoke in languages on Pentecost, and thereafter we have two examples of Gentiles speaking in languages. All remaining references to languages (as a gift from God) are discussed by Paul in I Cor. 12, 13, and 14, and nowhere else. (Note: the statement in Mark 16:17, which states in part: "...they shall speak with new tongues" is part of what is called, "The Longer Ending of Mark," and is not found among the oldest Greek Manuscripts. Others contain it, but make notation that it is "questionable." It is also clear that the Apostles did NOT speak with "NEW tongues" 50 days later on Pentecost, because we have this undeniable statement of Scripture stating that: "...we do hear them speak in OUR languages the wonderful words of God".) Now we know that the languages of the Medes, Cretes, Asians, Elamites, Parthians, Egyptians, Arabians, etc., spoken on Pentecost were anything but "new tongues," as these tongues/languages are old as the hills.) And we know that the Scriptures do not contradict, so it is absurd for any tongue-talkers to use this very questionable verse as justification for babbling something they may contend is a "new" or different kind of language promised by Jesus. THE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES FOR SPEAKING IN LANGUAGES [1] Speaking in a language is ALWAYS a special sign for an unbeliever to hear a message in his own language, not a sign for believers:
[2] Speaking in a language must ALWAYS edify the Church :
[3] Speaking in a language ALWAYS requires that [a] no more than 2 or 3 speak on the same occasion, that they [b] speak one at a time, that there has already been someone selected who knows how to [c] interpret the languages to be spoken, and if no interpreter can be found, then they [d] cannot speak in the church:
Keep these points in mind as we proceed through the Scriptures on this subject. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT VERSUS A MORE EXCELLENT WAY In I Cor. 12 we read of two lists of "spiritual gifts" from God. And before listing them, Paul clearly tells us:
There must be a "profit" or "contribution to all" as the Greek bears out, from these gifts. As we will see conclusively proved from Scripture, speaking in a language is never ever to be a physical spectacle for self-aggrandizement of the flesh.
In verse 28 Paul gives us another list of gifts:
WHAT ARE "DIVERSITIES OF LANGUAGES?" I will now show you a truth that I doubt any have heard before, and yet it is right before our eyes, albeit hidden in the obscure translation of the King James Version. Can we know for sure, just exactly WHAT these "diversities of languages were which Paul tells us are "the manifestation of the Spirit?" Is it even within the realm of possibility that the gift of these languages could be totally different languages than those spoken by the different nationalities around the world? In I Cor. 12:4 we read of "diversities of gifts." In verse 6 we read of "diversities of operations." Both times the word "diversities" is translated from the Greek word diairesis, and it means "variety." And so the word "diversities" is a perfectly fine word to translate it. But in I Cor. 12:10 we read of: "diverse kinds of languages." In verse 28 we read of: "diversities of languages." And in I Cor. 14:10 we read of: "many kinds of voices [sayings, languages.] " Now, get ready for this: All three words "kinds, diversities, & kinds" in the above three verses are from the same one Greek word (#1085, genos.) Does the word "genos" have a familiar sound to you? How about words like "geno-cide," "gen-eration," "gen-ealogy," and "gen-ius," The English words "kind" and "diversities," do not at all convey the way that this word genos is used in Scripture. Here is how Dr. Strong defines this word-#1085:
Here is how "context" translates the Greek word genos in other Scriptures: Mark 7:26- "The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation [Gk: genos] ..." In this verse it could have just correctly been translated "birth," but "diversity" or "kind" would never suit. Acts 4:6- "And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred [Gk genos] of the high priest..." Again, "diversity" or "kind" would not suit in this verse. Acts 4:36b- "...The son of consolation, a Levite, and of the country [Gk: genos] of Cyprus." "Diversity" or "kind" could never be used here. II Cor. 11:26- "In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen [Gk: genos] ..." These were real PEOPLE that Paul was in peril of. Gal. 1:14- "And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation [Gk: genos] ..." Here genos speaks of nation or nationality. Rev. 22:16b- "I am the root and the offspring [Gk: genos] of David..." Also "offspring" in Acts 17:28 & 29. I Pet. 2:9- "But you are a chosen generation [Gk: genos] , a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..." Notice the company that genos keeps in this verse: "generation, priesthood, nation, people." Phil. 3:5- "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock [Gk: genos] of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew..." Notice the company that genos keeps in this verse: the stock of the nation Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, of the much larger clan of Hebrews. Surely a blind man can see that genos carries the primary connotation of that which deals with: "where we were born, our offspring, kindred, country, stock, countrymen, nation, and generation." So just what "kinds," "diversities," and "kinds" ( genos, genos, and genos ) of languages is God telling us of in I Cor. 12:10b, 28b & 14:10? Is He speaking of hocus-pocus, idiotic, gibberish in unknown tongues? OF COURSE NOT. And surely a blind man can see that this spiritual gift was a gift of "GENOS LANGUAGES"-The real, working, every day languages dealing with genos which is translated throughout the New Testament as: "where one was born, offspring, kindred, country, stock, countrymen, nation, and generation." Which languages would also have to include different dialects and regional jargons. An impossible task for any human, but no problem for the Spirit of God. This is why Paul boldly stated: "I thank my God, I speak with languages MORE than ye all" (I Cor. 14:18.) Paul traveled through dozens and dozens of villages, towns, cities and states, countries and kingdoms. He spoke with kings and peasants-among the very same "every nation under heaven" spoken of in Acts 2. DO ALL SPEAK WITH LANGUAGES? In I Cor. 12:29-30, we are told something amazing-something that totally contradicts the tongues-speakers claim that the gift of speaking in languages is absolutely necessary as a proof that one actually has God's Holy Spirit:
Actually these are not even questions in the Greek, but rather statements of fact. Notice the following translations:
There is no need to place a question mark after these statements of fact. Obviously not "all" are apostles, and likewise, "all do NOT speak in different languages." And furthermore, Paul already told us in verses 8-10, that to ONE is given this gift and to ANOTHER a different gift, but not all get all the gifts. Speaking in a language is not the only sign of one having God's Holy Spirit. Then after giving us two separate lists of spiritual gifts, Paul tell us this:
What could be more excellent than any or all of these gifts of the Holy Spirit? Answer: LOVE!
DID PAUL SPEAK THE LANGUAGES OF ANGELS? And so, spiritual gifts are fine, but LOVE is the "MORE excellent way." Some, however, go so far as to suggest that the language that Paul and tongue-talkers speak is: "the tongues/languages... of angels" (Cor. 13:1.) Paul absolutely never claimed to speak in any such thing as the "languages of angels." Here is what he said, and the reason I underlined it above:
Well we know that he did speak with the languages of men, but he adds, "AND angels," which he decidedly did not do, hence the word "though." The word "though" in this context means "suppose." It is a supposition, not a fact. Paul also said, "though... I have... ALL knowledge," but did he? No. "though I have... ALL faith," but did he? No. "though I... give my body to be BURNED" but did he? Obviously not-Paul was beheaded in Rome. And no, he never spoke with the languages of angels either-it was a hypothetical statement made to prove a point. PAUL EXPLAINS THE PROPER USE OF THE GIFT OF LANGUAGES
Paul told the Corinthians that [1] they should desire spiritual gifts, [2] for the purpose of prophesying, because [3] no one understands what he is saying if he speaks in a language. So is it a good thing to speak in a language if no one understands you? NO, of course not. Next Paul says, "BUT..." But what? If speaking in a language is not a good thing to do if no man understands what you are saying, then WHAT IS GOOD? Well, Paul answers:
NOW THAT'S A GOOD THING TO DO! Paul continues in Verse 4:
Paul again admonishes them by saying:
Now Paul gives us the one "exception" clause which will put "speaking in a language" on equal footing with "prophesying"-that is inspired teaching in our own language. And what is that one thing that is absolutely necessary for speaking in a language to be acceptable in the congregation of God's Church? Someone must be able to INTERPRET what the person said in a foreign language. What if there is no interpreter present?
There you have it. Speaking in tongues is fine, IF, and only if, "except he INTERPRET" so that the whole church receives "edification, exhortation, and consolation." This teaching is clear. This teaching is simple. There is no misunderstanding Paul's admonition. Yet how many will OBEY Paul's admonition? THE MESSAGE MUST BE UNDERSTANDABLE TO ALL Next, notice what Paul instructs us in verse 6:
If your teaching is not by revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine, "what shall it profit you," Paul asks? Nothing else is acceptable. But is this what the tongue-speakers of the world are actually doing? Are they speaking to the entire congregation by "revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine," or are they babbling gibberish into the air, in which case NO ONE IS EDIFIED? And the whole endeavor is but an exhibition of the FLESH? Paul continues:
Having been in the Army for four years, let me explain this: If an army is preparing for battle, and they are all waiting for the trumpet to sound the charge, but instead, the trumpeter sounds "taps," then instead of charging the enemy, the army will GO TO SLEEP! It is necessary that the trumpet make the proper sound. Nor is preparation for battle the time for a trumpeter to be practicing on his horn. It is likewise, necessary for one who speaks in a language, to be understood. Paul attempts to make it ever clearer:
Is that the way you tongues-speakers wish to glorify your Lord and Saviour? By speaking nonsense into the air? I have personally heard such nonsense on a couple of occasions. I wanted to experience this "tongue-talking" first hand. Twenty years ago I attended several weekly Sunday services in a very large Atlanta Pentecostal Church, which was replete with a full philharmonic orchestra. It was a beautiful church. And each week at least one person would burst out in an "unknown" tongue. I say, "unknown," for truly this was not the language of any people on this earth. In each case, the lead Pastor pretended to interpret what the tongue-speaker had babbled. I acquired a tape of the day's service, and I listened to both the speaker and the interpreter over and over, very carefully. The tongues-speaker started with a long rhythmical phrase which was precisely repeated several times throughout her exhibition. The Pastor then interpreted. He had a very precise interpretation for the first long rhythmical phrase, and although this same phrase repeated itself several more times, the Pastor never gave it the same interpretation as in the opening phrase. Hmmm?
This couldn't be clearer. Paul is saying that if we don't understand a language spoken to us by someone foreign to us, we become foreigners to each other.
All these gifts are all about edifying the church, not making a spectacle of ourselves, in our flesh.
And Paul tells us to "have no fellowship with the UNFRUITFUL works of darkness" (Eph. 5:11.) So even if one had the gift of languages, he should NOT speak without an interpretation, because it is "unfruitful" (ver. 14,) it is just praying to "himself" (ver. 4,) it does not "edify, exhort or comfort" (ver. 3,) it is not "by revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine" (ver. 6,) it is not a "distinct sound," (ver. 7,) for one merely "speaks into the air," (ver. 9,) you are like a "barbarian" to whom you speak (verse 11,) therefore, "If there be no interpreter, let him keep SILENCE in the Church..."
There is just no Scriptural excuse for speaking or praying at a church service in a language if there is NO INTERPRETER PRESENT-YOU ARE NOT TO DO IT.
Yes, of course, Paul visited many many countries and cities wherein were many " genos" -languages. Although Greek was spoken by many people throughout the Roman Empire, there were, nonetheless, many families, clans, tribes, villages, towns, cities, and states in which all of the languages spoken at Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-11,) plus many more.
Can all of you tongue-talkers say "Amen" to that admonition? Would you honestly and truly "RATHER speak five words with your understanding mind, than ten thousand words in a language?" Need I remind anyone that, "...all LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death?"
Paul is saying; Brethren, please don't desire to speak ten thousand words in a language for the purpose of turning a gift of God into a display of the flesh. Rather speak just a few words in the Church, but speak them with real meaning and understanding. And remember Paul is speaking to those who have the gift of speaking in FOREIGN LANGUAGES, not in speaking gibberish that HAS NO INTERPRETATION!
God drove His people into captivity where they spoke "another language," the Assyrian language. Yet they didn't comprehend why God did this to them. They could not equate their sins with their unfortunate dilemma. In Israel's disbelief they didn't understand the reason that they were captives in nations of other languages. Those foreign languages did not speak to their hearts. Vast numbers of Christians place the highest possible value on their doctrines of "speaking in tongues." It is to them the surest PROOF that they possess and are filled with the very Spirit of God. Oh really? But what saith the Scriptures:
However... HOWEVER, despite all these wonderful gifts from God, here was the real spiritual condition of most Corinthian believers:
The Corinthians came behind in NO GIFT-hey DID speak in languages, but that gift did no more cause them to "hear Me" [God,] than if they had not been given this gift. One who did not possess the gift of languages could still be a very spiritually mature believer, and one who did possess this gift of languages could be "YET carnal." Here's the bottom line: The Corinthians "came behind in no gift," which included the gift of "utterance and knowledge." Yet, Paul says they were "babes on milk" that they were "not able to bear spiritual meat." And Paul admonished them: "Brethren, be not CHILDREN IN UNDERSTANDING," for that is exactly what they were-spiritual CHILDREN, and not mature men. And worse yet, they "were YET CARNAL." Just as Israel did not spiritually benefit when God spoke to them "with other lips [languages,] " neither did the Corinthians mature out of spiritual childhood even though God not only spoke TO them, but also spoke THROUGH them by the miracle gift of " genos [the languages, tongues, and dialects, of many nationalities] languages." And lest anyone believe that to be "yet carnal" merely means to be not quite spiritually mature yet, let's read Paul's own definition of "carnal":
Paul says that "languages are a sign to nonbelievers." But how many times do Pentecostal tongue-talkers use this gift on nonbelievers, rather than among themselves which all believe. Just how is this a sign to believers? Then why would any wish to use this gift of languages among believers?
Now here we have a real spiritual accomplishment. A sinner coming to true repentance and acknowledgement of the goodness of God. And what has brought about this accomplishment of God's Spirit? Speaking in languages? NO. Prophesying or speaking the inspired word of God with the understanding of the MIND, that's what. But today's tongue-talkers don't even speak in genos languages. Does anyone really believe that chattering jabbers of gobbledygook, sputtering stammering stutter, or babbling a bunch of burble, will truly convert anyone? Even worse are the public displays of this false doctrine on international television. Many times you will see world renowned preachers and teachers break out in the middle of their sermons or talks with incoherent bursts of babbling burbles, and then continue on speaking. Next time you hear such a shameful display of the flesh, remember the following points:
If "all things" done in any church do not "EDIFY" the entire body of believers, then what is being done is wrong and a sin.
EVERY single word of every single language spoken in the congregation must be INTERPRETED, or let EVERY single tongue-talker "keep SILENCE in the church."
Paul's instructions are clear: "ALL prophesying [inspired speaking of any kind, must be done...] ...ONE by ONE." Is this always the way it is done in tongue-talking churches? And the reason given is so that "all may learn." Next, a very important point: "The SPIRITS of the prophets are SUBJECT to the prophets." But is this the case within Charismatic and Pentecostal tongues-speaking churches? Or is it not rather the other way around, and the people themselves are subject to "the spirits" that control their shameful exhibitions? Most do not know what they are saying, what they are praying, what they are singing, or how shamefully they are behaving. Why they even fall over BACKWARD in the presence of their god! In all cases in the Scriptures of anyone paying homage to anyone, (be it a lord, king, or God Himself,) it was done by "falling on one's FACE," (Abraham, Gen. 17:3 to Jesus, Matt. 26:39,) never by falling over backward. Who ever heard of "falling over BACKWARD" to pay homage to a dignitary? Why, such an abomination is 'not so much as named among the Gentiles,' that one should blaspheme God in paying homage by falling over BACKWARD in His presence! Just who is "subject" to whom, in such a disgusting carnival sideshow exhibition of the flesh? And just what kind of "spirits" are we talking about here? Since "GOD is not the author of confusion in these churches." These are "spirits of confusion." This doctrine of " unknown tongues" IS "confusion" and it is more; it is "an idol of the heart" and the two go hand in hand :
HAS THE GIFT OF LANGUAGES CEASED? I have heard the argument used that if speaking in languages as a gift from God is not for us today, then neither are "prophecies" and "knowledge." But as both the gifts of prophesying and knowledge are still in use in the church, so also is the gift of languages. Ahhh, but, there is a mystery revealed in these verses if we have the spiritual mind to see it:
What can we learn here? Well we can eliminate the first one, Love, for it will never fail. But notice the next three, prophesying, languages and knowledge do come to an eventual end, but apparently in different ways. And this is clearly seen by the use of different Greek words. Paul obviously said that prophesying would katargeo, and knowledge would also katargeo, but had a different take on what would happen to languages, as he said they would pauo rather than katargeo. Why is that? Why do prophesying & knowledge come to one kind of an end, but languages comes to a different kind of a end? It is because God has two different purposes for prophesying & knowledge, and languages. The answer is found in the usage of the two words: katargeo and pauo. The King James Translators partly saw the answer, but they were not consistent (obviously so, they translated the very same Greek word, katargeo two different ways in the very same verse.) They rightly stated that languages shall cease, but they saw how katargeo is used many times in Scripture, hence they said that "knowledge shall vanish away" rather than "cease." Notice that both prophecies and knowledge are said to "fail and vanish away," as the same Greek word is used for both- katargeo. But when it says that languages shall cease it is a different word- pauo. Why is this? Do they not all meet with a similar fate? No, no they don't, and that's why a different word is used to describe their ending. Remember that it is "usage" that determines the real meaning of words. Dictionaries and the study of etymology can be big helps, but in the end it is usage which gives us the best definition. And, the more and different ways that we can see a word used, the more precisely we can see its true meaning. HOW KATARGEO AND PAUO ARE USED IN SCRIPTURE The Greek word katargeo has the connotation of coming to an end, falling into disuse, annulling, discarding, growing old, useless, and being done away, etc. Sometimes it can be used in a situation where something comes to an end rather quickly, but many many times it is used to describe something that is fading into disuse. That is why I drew out the word used by the KJV Translators in: "shall vanish away," as I wanted to show the feel of it stretching out over a period of time, and not something that comes to an abrupt end as in the word "cease." Here are some examples of how katargeo is used to represent something that expires or is discarded over a prolonged period:
Here we are told that this katargeo was rendering the ground useless for 3 years.
In this verse we see that the process of God "...discarding [ katargeo] it and them..." is still going on after two thousand years.
From the above we see that katargeo can take three years until something ends, or two thousand years and still counting till something else ends, or even throughout the entire reigning of Jesus Christ until all enemies including death itself is abolished. So here is Scriptural proof that anything that is a katargeo consummation can take as long as man is still in the flesh to come to a final end. And prophesying & knowledge are specifically said to come to a katargeo end. But NOT SO WITH LANGUAGES. Here is how we are told that languages will consummate: "...whether there be languages, they shall cease [Gk: pauo-'stop, quit, end, cease'] ...' (I Cor. 13:8.) But is there a difference in the "time" it takes for something that is katargeo to end, and something that is pauo to end? Yes there is. Here is how the word pauo is used in Scripture:
How long do we suppose it was between the time Jesus stopped speaking and Jesus commanded Peter? A few minutes? It was very quickly, not years.
How long did it take to cause the wind and raging water to cease? A few minutes? Certainly not hours or days.
Jesus ceased praying in an instant. Or do we believe Jesus went hours, or days between praying. To stop something by use of the word pauo is to end it very quickly.
As soon as they left beating of Paul the chief captain came. Not hours or days later, but right then. The word pauo does not linger for centuries as does the word katargeo. When Paul teaches us that languages will end by way of pauo, he is telling us that languages will end very quickly as compared with prophesies & knowledge which will fade out over centuries and eons of time. Therefore, we still have prophesies & knowledge, whereas the gift of languages is never ever mentioned again after I Cor. 14 for the remaining years of Paul's ministry. Nor is the gift Of languages every mentioned by any other New Testament writer. Truly languages did CEASE. And what we see today is a weak shameful counterfeit sham of the original Gift of languages in the early New Testament Church. The instruction of the Apostle Paul regulating the use and practice of speaking in languages is completely book-ended. There is no room for personal interpretation on this subject. The truth of this doctrine is found in I Cor. 14, and nowhere else.
USING LANGUAGES IN PRIVATE There is no more Scriptural backing for singing in languages, or praying in languages, or meditating in languages than there is to break any of the commandments regulating it in I Cor. 14. If one cannot interpret and thus understanding with their mind what they are singing, praising, praying or meditating, then it is useless and a sham. PRAYING WITH GROANINGS But isn't there a verse that says something about the Spirit helping us praying with "groanings?" Isn't this a form of talking in "unknown tongues?" Absolutely not. Let's read the verse:
Sorry, but no justification for babbling burbles of gibberish in your prayers either! Just how big of a deal is it if you are presently a tongue-speaker and you have been doing it for years, and you really like doing it, and you don't see any urgency to stop now. How can that possibly hurt you? It will hurt you because you are participating in an unscriptural and demeaning shame. The one who clings to an "Idol of the heart" is the wicked and slothful servant who will have TAKEN FROM HIM what spiritual truth he may possess. And never confuse GIFTS of the Spirit, with "FRUIT of the Spirit." For the FRUIT of the Spirit is higher than the Gifts of the Spirit than the heavens are higher than the earth. For all of the "GIFTS of the Spirit" are of the earth, EARTHY, whereas the "FRUIT of the Spirit" is truly HEAVENLY. Do you believe that Paul admonished the Corinthians in VAIN when he said:
If God has shown you the truth regarding languages in this paper, and you still REFUSE to give it up, then you have an 'idol of the heart,' and 'ye are YET carnal,' which means that you do NOT love God, neither are you subject to his spiritual law. You have reached the end of your spiritual growth, and if you don't repent and give this idol up, then what you have already attained WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU. May God be merciful and gracious to us all as we surrender to His perfect will for our lives. |