Divers Kinds Of Tongues

Let’s read further into 1 Corinthians 12:10  “...to another divers kinds of tongues...” 

Here is the one that gets most people.  It is the one gift that has cause so much controversy in the church of today but It should not cause ANY controversy. 

1 Corinthians 14:33  “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 

Some have claimed that the gift of tongues is nothing more than the ability to learn foreign languages.  They have claimed that this is an ability which God sometimes gives those who are preparing themselves to go into a foreign country to preach the gospel so they can communicate with those whom they are going to witness to.  However, this idea does not line up with the Word of God in 1Corinthians 14:14 where Paul plainly states that he doesn't know what he is saying when he speaks in tongues. 

Paul says his spirit (the inner man) knows, but Paul's mind did not understand it and records for us in 1 Cor 14:14: "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful."  This plainly rules out the ability to learn a foreign language because a person who speaks in a foreign language is both able to speak it and understand it.

Speaking in different kinds of tongues is the supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue or language that is unknown to the speaker.  Just as there is a variation in the scope and types within other gifts the same is true with other tongues.

First there different types of languages spoken and these would include:

Speaking in a language known to a hearer of the words such as on the day of Pentecost.

Speaking in a language completely unknown to men or speaking mysteries to God, which means that no one can understand what is being said, except of course God himself.  Let’s examine some of these.  In the Bible, tongues are recorded to have accomplished several things:

There are many today who are willingly ignorant of the things of God and wrongly ASSUME that since they have never found a deeper experience with God other than repeating some sinner’s prayer and shaking a preacher’s (if you call him that) hand while signing their name to a roll book, then tongues couldn’t possibly exist.  Flatly put, They are wrong and they desire to stay that way.  I’ll use Paul’s words here .... if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant...

There are those today who teach that since (in their understanding)  everything should be done decently and in order then tongues couldn't possibly exist since it is both indecent and out of order.  Just suppose for a moment that God did baptize someone in the Spirit and caused them to speak in tongues, would they object then?  Of course they would, because it would violate their “church bulletin” thinking and their tradition.  It would be “out of order to them”.  When would tongues ever be “in order” to them?  The truthful answer to that is NEVER, since they WILL NOT allow it. 

They then claim that tongues require an interpretation in every single instance.  As soon as you show me where tongues were “interpreted” in Acts 2, Acts 8, Acts 10 or Acts 19, then I’ll show you where tongues should “always” be interpreted.  Can you provide the references for your statements concerning interpretation in every instance?  You cannot.  I suppose they think all those references to tongues in Acts were “out of order” to many people today.

There are others that claim tongues should only be spoken in your “prayer closet” and NEVER in the church.  Let’s use the same logic and apply it to our prayer life:  Since  Jesus taught  "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret" (Matthew 6:6), does this now mean  that one should never pray the Lord's Prayer (or a prayer of thanksgiving, blessing, etc.) in the church but only alone in a closed room?  Of course not.  To think that is to be willingly ignorant of the spiritual things of God.

A good definition of the gift of tongues is that it is the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit enabling one to speak an unlearned language, as the Spirit gives utterance. 

According to I Corinthians 13: 1-3, they may be the tongues of men or of angels and have nothing to do with linguistic ability. Now you can argue whether Paul actually spoke in tongues of angels if you wish, but he DID reference “tongues of angels” and if you’ll remember, this is a man that had, before he ever wrote this letter) been caught up into the 3^rd heaven and heard things that were unlawful for a man to utter.  I suppose if there were tongues of angels and anyone had heard them, it would have been Paul.

It would seem from Scripture and the study of the worship of the Early Church that this was the most liberally distributed of all the gifts, hence the need for the very full instructions relative to its use given by the apostle Paul.

There is an error that is still being purported today:  in that the gift of tongues was given to enable the Apostles to preach the gospel to foreigners. Let’s examine that thought:

Those in the upper room who spoke with tongues on the day of Pentecost were magnifying God and only Peter stood up to preach the gospel (Acts 2: 14 ).

Out of 120 to begin with....I wonder why the other 119 didn’t preach to the foreigners?  Keep in mind now, not all the other people present were Apostles!   If that is true (and it is) that not all present were Apostles, then there must have been some other reason for the gift to have been given.  In other words, it was not given to just the Apostles.

The gift was not given solely to enable one to speak to foreigners!  This is substantiated by the apostle Paul: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God" (I Corinthians 14:2). If one is speaking directly to God in an unknown language, that person is certainly not preaching to someone who speaks a different tongue.   He is rather giving thanks and praise unto the Lord God.   This element of praise is a distinguishing mark of the gift in its early manifestation.  Not only do we see it in the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, but we also see praise in the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:46).
 

To the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:6), speaking in tongues was proof that they had received, the same gift of the Holy Ghost as the Apostles had received on the day of Pentecost.  In Peter's account of the conversion of Cornelius, the very same sign (speaking in tongues and magnifying God) assured the Church leaders in Jerusalem that the Gentiles were also called to be part of the Body of Christ (Acts 11:15, 17).

Some say that the Holy Ghost came only by laying on of hands of an Apostle.  That doesn’t account for the gift given to the gentiles who received the Holy Ghost before Peter ever laid hands upon them. (Acts 10:44).  Even one scriptural account is enough to disprove the "laying on of hands" theory. 

Some say tongues are only for “immature” and “new” Christians, and as one grows in Christ, the “need” for tongues diminishes.  If this was the case, the Apostle Paul must not have been a “mature” Saint by some standards since he claimed in 1 Corinthians 14:18:  “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:...”

If you claim tongues are a false gift, you are automatically testifying to the simple fact that the gift is true.  There cannot be a false (or counterfeit gift) if there is not a true gift.  If I said we don’t even have to follow the teachings of the bible to be saved, would you believe that?  Of course you wouldn’t. Only a total fool would believe that.  When you consider, though, that Gentiles are ONLY saved because of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, it would seem a likely counter-argument for some today (I’m surprised I haven’t heard that one yet). 

Many use 1 Corinthians 14:19  “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.”  as an attempt to claim that tongues don’t belong in the church.  It is foolishness to misuse that verse in such a manner and it is clear that those who purport such nonsense do not even understand the most basic meaning of the verse. 

Let me put it in very simple terms even a child can understand: 

I would rather have five vanilla ice cream cones in my kitchen than to have ten thousand cones in unknown flavors. 

Now, I am not against any ice cream, but by using the SAME LOGIC as in 1 Corinthians 14:19, what is this saying?  Am I saying that “unknown flavors” don’t belong in my kitchen?  If you read it that way, may I suggest that you go sign up for some basic English classes somewhere?  The only thing this statement says is that I have a preference and that preference happens to be vanilla.

An attempt to use that passage to say that unknown tongues don’t belong in church is a blatant attempt to twist scripture.  In fact, if you would read a little further, you’ll find that Paul stated TONGUES DO have a place in the church and gives instructions for the use of “unknown” tongue.  You make yourself less than credible when you attempt to twist scripture to prove your point.   Most people I’ve talked to today who are against tongues, have never been in a church where the tongues were being spoken.  They only repeat, of course, what they have heard.  You may call this what you will, but it is, in fact, BEARING FALSE WITNESS when you speak about things that happen, when you've NEVER been a witness to them!

Even in secular court, their case would be thrown out for lack of proper evidence.  You cannot use ‘gossip’ or tall tales in court, you SHOULD NEVER use gossip or tall tales concerning the gifts of God. 

The basics are this:  If you don’t know personally, you have no business talking about it.

Now for a rebuke to Charismatic and Pentecostal People who think “gibberish” is the same as speaking in tongues.  I will speak boldly and forcefully first, and then I’ll explain and give some examples: 

Tongues are NOT one or two syllables repeated over and over, this is called “stammering lips” and has nothing to do with “tongues”.  Stammering lips are often heard being used by those in the occult and is NOT a viable “test” for whether someone has the Holy Ghost or not.  It could be very possible that the “ghost” you have is not HOLY at all. 

NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE can “teach” you to speak in tongues.  If you’ve learned some “tongues” this way, friend you are in the center of deception and you are NOT “filled” with the Spirit of God.   

There is no such thing as your own personal “heavenly prayer language” that you must endeavor to find.  Get angry if you will, but you need to learn something:  It is NOT your language to begin with.  

The teaching that states that the Holy Ghost is already “in” you and you just have to “let it out” is purely blasphemous.  There is no such teaching in the Word of God anywhere! 

If you believe you can “speak in tongues” at your will, anytime you feel like it or anytime you desire to, you are deceived.  The bible does not support this theory in any form or fashion.

Let me clarify and expose the abusers for what they really are:  deceivers.   

I stated “tongues are not one or two syllables repeated over and over again”.  I know of one woman who will close here eyes and say (and I will quote exactly) “HatatatataShabababababa  Homamamamama” every single time.  This is usually followed by a rhythmic jerking of her upper torso, subsequently followed by HER EYES OPENING TO LOOK AROUND, then repeating the “Hatatata...thing”, especially if she has grabbed the attention of several others in the church.  Don’t you even dare and attempt to tell me that this is of God!  It is NOT.

I have seen people with the vilest of lifestyles come to church and all of a sudden, they’re so spiritual, they begin to speak in tongues or try to prophesy.  Holy?  I don’t think so. 

I know a woman who claims to be full of the Holy Ghost, yet her entire lifestyle consists of gossiping, tale bearing and hate mongering.  She constantly rebukes anyone and everyone who doesn’t agree with her.  She has no problem at all rebuking any Pastor when her own “theology” disagrees with his.  She justifies this by claiming that she has been in church for X number of years and says that she is an “Elder” in the church.  I sure hate to burst her bubble, but  An “Elder” was never female.  (If you say there was one, please provide the exact scripture reference concerning “ELDERS IN THE CHURCH” where you find a woman "Elder"). 

Folks, if you fit the above example:  you need to examine the “tongues” you are speaking in and the “Spirit” that is in you.  It could be that there is nothing holy at all “in you”.

I stated that “No one” could teach you to speak in tongues.  There is NO biblical basis for these even remotely occurring and friend, you may get mad at me, but this type of “tongue talking” is prevalent in occultist circles.

I have a question for you folks that think you have the ability to “teach” someone to speak in tongues:  Where do you find that teaching?  How do you justify yourself by the Word of God to do such things?  I believe you should read 2 Timothy 3:13 “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” and realize that YOU are that person.  It is YOU who is deceiving when you think that a natural man can teach or be taught to speak Tongues that are given only by God. 

Let me turn my attention to the two remaining items I said I would explain: What is the origin of speaking in tongues?  Where does it come from?  Is it from Man or from God?  I hope that you believe it is from God.  Since it is from God, how do you possibly get by with the explanation that someone can just stand and say “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” over and over to “get” the Holy Ghost?  That (even if you are saying the name Jesus) amounts to nothing more than chanting and vain repetition.  Usually what happens in such cases is this:  Someone will chant over and over until they finally “miss” the phrase.  Someone else will immediately (because they have their ear glued to the other person’s lips) shout “That’s it!  You’ve Got it”.  To that I say HOGWASH.  They no more have the Holy Ghost than standing in a garage makes you a Cadillac.  If you believe that, then why don’t you use the old standby tongue twister “The Sixth Sheik’s sheep’s sixth sheep’s sick”?  I assure you, they would get the same result as you’ve tried to accomplish, only much, much, quicker. 

Pentecostals:  You have placed so much emphasis on “speaking in tongues” that many of you don’t have a clue what it would be like to have a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have watched in camp meetings, revivals, and evangelistic services as you kneel in the pretense of praying with someone only to “listen” to their every word until they finally speak something that “sounds like” what YOU want to hear.  What you ought to do is get down on your knees and PRAY for yourself and leave those folks alone.  It is called leading by EXAMPLE!  

I witnessed personally an evangelist who believes much in the manner I am speaking to you about who came to our church.  We were praying for a lady whose native tongue was spanish.  She began speaking in SPANISH, “Gloria A Dios, El Senor”.  He immediately leaned over to me and said “that’s it, she just got the Holy Ghost!   I tried to tell him that this was NOT the Holy Ghost and that IF it was, then HIS spirit should bear witness with the Spirit of God, if he had the spirit of God within himself.  He insisted that this was indeed the Holy Ghost.  When I told him that her native language was Spanish and that she was only saying “Glory to God” because it was more comfortable to speak in her native tongue, he was shocked and didn’t know quite what to say.   Not wanting to be wrong, after the service he walked up to her to exclaim "Sister, you've received the Holy Ghost tonight, I heard you speak in tongues."  Thankfully, there were several people around who heard her reply. She said, "No sir, I didn't receive the Holy Ghost, I was only giving glory to God.   I was born in Mexico and it is easier for me to speak in my native tongue, especially when I get excited."  Needless to say, that young man lost a lot of credibility with the church.

My point is this.  QUIT WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER SOMEONE SPEAKS IN TONGUES.  You are so worried about an outward sign that you have, even at the expense of your own relationship with God, that you have overlooked the meatier matters of the entire gift.  You have forsaken the facts in favor of sensationalism.  You have cast aside concern for a soul in favor of your own self-serving ego.  In your desire to appear so spiritual, you have forgotten what Paul spoke to us about tongues.  Prophecy is certainly MUCH greater, yet I don't see anyone praying today for the gift of prophecy in the church.  Tongues seemed to be the least of all gifts.  It is for your personal edification while the interpretation is for the edification of the Church. 

I think that most of you could care less whether someone is really right with God, just as long as you get to hear them speak SOMETHING that sounds even remotely like a language.  What you should do it this:  Quit worrying about whether someone speaks in tongues and start worrying about them seeking God to the fullest extent of their life!   It is at this point that God will fill them.

You, sir ...You, ma’am, have completely missed the mark when you place so much emphasis on speaking in tongues.  WHEN God GIVES someone the Holy Ghost it will be because HE did it, not because you got on your knees and begged, or coaxed someone into a couple of slips of the tongue.   

NOBODY has to tell anyone when they receive the Spirit of God.  I solemnly tell you that YOU WILL KNOW beyond any doubt!  The fact is that when the Holy Ghost comes, you may not act just like me, but I promise you one thing:  you’ll act! 

One final note concerning my statement above:  You CANNOT turn on and turn off speaking in tongues like you do a water faucet.  If you feel you can just begin speaking in tongues anytime you wish, then you MUST be able to back this up by the Word of God since you are very clearly contradicting the Word.  Speaking in tongues should ONLY be done when the SPIRIT OF GOD GIVES YOU THE UTTERANCE!

If you're speaking under any other "unction", you need to consider what it is you are doing.  If you are speaking just from your memory (or because you are mimicking a sound you heard or made before) I am asking you now, why? 

Why would you do this?  Are you trying to appear “spiritual”?  Are you trying to let the other Pentecostals who have a hang up about tongue talking know that you can speak in tongues too?  Why would you possibly mock God? 

This, friend is exactly what you are doing when you think you can turn on and off speaking in tongues anytime you wish.  You are mocking.  If you and I are in a conversation and I begin to repeat everything you say, using the same tone and same inflection, it wouldn’t be long before you realize that I am mocking you.  What makes you think God will look the other way and wink at your ignorance? 

Friend, the problem is this:  When you begin to mock any of the gifts of the spirit, you are VERY VERY close to blasphemy, if you haven’t already crossed the line.  You are walking on very dangerous ground...and all this just to be “stylish” in the Charismatic and/or Pentecostal circles. 

Tongues are Not

According to the scriptures, receiving the Holy Ghost has nothing to do with putting away a filthy mouth.  You should do that ANYWAY, and it doesn't take a special "gift of God" to cleanse you. 

I am going to be blunt (again):  If you still have cursing and swearing and profanity coming out of your mouth, I don't really care what you say, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CLEAN HEART.  (Again, show me the book, chapter, and verse that would prove otherwise). 

Anyway, it is not the putting away of a filthy mouth.  To claim that, you must believe that on the day of Pentecost, those at Jerusalem which heard the “speaking in tongues” were amazed not at the tongues but amazed that they were speaking without cursing.  That is just downright ludicrous to read the scripture in that manner. 

The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance in a language or languages (earthly or heavenly) which the one doing the speaking does not understand.   

The gift of tongues may be used to witness (Acts 2), to pray (1Corinthians 14:2), to sing (1Corinthians  14:15), to give thanks (1Corinthains 14:16-17), and to praise the Lord (Acts 10:46).   

According to Paul, tongues with interpretation are somewhat equal to prophecy in that it edifies the church.  (1Corinthians 14:5).  

God doesn't just take over a person's spirit and force that individual's body and mind to act (or react) accordingly:  That would be a manifestation of a demon and is considered POSSESSION.  The Holy Ghost is given as recorded in scripture: 

Acts 5:32   “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”    This is the main reason many people do NOT receive the Holy Ghost:  They will not SUBMIT to God completely and unconditionally.