Speaking in Tongues: Is It the Language of God?

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Speaking in Tongues

Is It the Language of God?

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I had started visiting various churches and denominations in my teens and then I quit completely. After marrying, my husband and I looked for another to attend. Many of our neighbors were attending a local church, so we decided to attend there too. It seemed a nice place, very casual with a young crowd. They sang a lot of songs led by a guitar-playing pastor and reached to the heavens at various times throughout the service. I had never experienced such a church, and it was a little exciting.

I noticed people's mouths moving quietly throughout the service. I wondered why. The next week, a woman sitting next to me was doing the same. I could hear her, but I didn't understand the words. I asked her after services what language she was speaking. She said she was speaking in tongues. She said it was a gift from God. I'd never heard of this before, so she and some other nearby people explained. I was told that speaking in tongues was a a spiritual language; a direct communication line to God. It was the greatest of the gifts God had to offer, that the fruits of the Spirit are actually initiated by speaking in tongues and that it increases your faith.

I was skeptical, but intrigued. I began to notice others doing it and believing it was important. People thought the language was the way God wanted them to pray. They also felt that if you didn't believe in speaking in tongues, you were rejecting the best gift God had to offer and that it was sinful not to accept it. I truly hoped to receive this awesome gift for myself.

One of the scriptures most often used to support the group's ideas is in the listing of gifts. “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:10).

Weeks later, church members started insisting I get baptized. It seemed the congregation felt empowered to water baptize other members. I was uncomfortable and told them that I wasn't ready. Then they told me that I should be baptized by the Holy Spirit. I didn't understand, but when they said that was how you received the gift of tongues, I was curious.

Lessons Learned

The following Sunday, the pastor announced they would be baptizing this way after services, so I lined up with about a dozen other people. We all stood in a small congested room, and after a quick prayer, we were told to start speaking in baby babble, using words like “bah bah” and “goo goo.” I thought it was ridiculous, but they said it helped the Holy Spirit get started. One by one I saw those around me start speaking the weird language, all coincidentally sounding a lot like the baby words we were told to use. Two of us stood alone in the end. I began to cry—because I felt stupid for even attempting it—and was quickly consoled. I was told it was not the gift God intended for me. It was an odd comment, since the congregation as a whole was able to do so. Those who didn't were privately thought to not have enough faith and eventually left the church.

We too soon left, but not because we couldn't speak in tongues, but because we came to the conclusion that speaking in tongues should not be the focus of a church. Later, while reading the scriptures on the subject I came to learn how confused I and others had truly been.

The group used certain scriptures to back their practice: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4 ).

What does the Bible say?

The problem is they completely ignored other verses in the Bible that explain what the gift of tongues is meant for. For example: “Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, 'Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?'" (Acts 2:7-8). The apostles were not speaking in some sacred or secret language. They were speaking in the different languages of their audience. It wasn't only a way to communicate the gospel, but also a miracle for all to witness (Acts 2:11-12).

One scripture they used is 1 Corinthians 14:2, which says, "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." But reading the context this verse is taken from, it's clear Paul is actually criticizing the practice of speaking in tongues just for the sake of it. He draws a contrast between two gifts: speaking in tongues where nobody but the speaker and God can understand, and the practice of inspired speaking (translated "prophesying") where everybody can understand and can benefit (1 Corinthians 14:1-5). Look at it this way: If I spoke French and you spoke English, you wouldn't understand me when I talked to you—only God would. And what use is that to you if I'm saying something important? Paul explained to the church in Corinth that speaking in tongues was a legitimate gift, but only worthwhile if used to edify someone else by speaking in their language so they could understand!

What did I actually learn from the experience? I saw people so focused on a single supposed gift that they basically worshiped it instead of God. I learned that God did indeed have many gifts to share, but not necessarily the ones I expected. The gifts we receive are given in order to help others, not ourselves. Let's use the gifts God gave us to further His work and to glorify Him.

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Comments

  • 2cool4skul

    Thanks so much for this article, it helped me a lot. God bless you in Jesus Christ Name, Amen

  • 19angels67@gmail.com

    First of all i am so happy that our faithful God. Heavenly father put you guys in my life at this perfect time. Thank you for all you efforts and encouragements from the word of God. I am also struggling to find the right christian church. I also have visited various churches for physical healing since i believed in the power of God's healing. But no luck. Instead i got myself in very bad situations. The same they got me to start speaking in tongues to. I want to so much experience the presense and healing of God that i did it. It was only like a trance power you get but nothing good happen. The lady pastor said i was demond posses the second time i went there only on prayer night for one hour they would speak in tongues. So they all attacked me and were on top of me hitting me with the bible. The pastor lady had me on the church floor by my neck almost shocking me screaming at me or at demonds that she said were inside of me. She was insulting me and throwing holy oil (olive oil) all over me even inside my mouth she poured inside my mouth. It was so scarry and crazy. They had me in a trance first. But i never got heal. Im so mad at them for doing this to me help i dont know what

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Elizeth Leon, Sorry that you had to experience what you did but from what you wrote it seems to me that you learned something. Now you must continue that learning. Go to our Web site and read what seems to suit your present need. If you continue to feel safe with what we write, you may very well wish to fellowship (visit) with us some Sabbath. I can promise that that visit will be rewarding.

  • Lorelei Nettles

    I am sorry you had this experience Elizeth. The idea of hitting you with books must have been very scary indeed. Healing is from God, not man. Name calling and scary happenings are not how God works.

  • Lafayette

    Liked the article.
    I have questions and a comment.
    If one is in a congregation that mainly speaks English and you are not a native English speaker is permissible and scriptural to pray aloud in the congregation in your native tongue? Is a translator required for this circumstance? Or should one wait and go home and pray in their closet? And why doesn't UCG have public aloud prayer in the congregation?

    I know a woman that has stated and/or implied that those who speak in tongues are at a higher level of spirituality. Does scripture support this notion? Personally, I don't believe it.

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Dennis,
    I've been & spoken in several places where I was not fluent in the native tongue (Swahili), so I needed a translator. Or how else could those in attendance say Amen after a prayer? We have a hearing/speaking impaired man who gives prayers at Services. How? He signs the words and another speaks them. There are ways that we can glorify God if we search for them and ask.
    Speaking in tongues (in scripture) obviously has occurred but you are most probably correct in your hesitancy to accept what that particular woman stated and/or implied.
    UCG has public prayer (by one person) both before and after Services.

  • Lorelei Nettles

    Hi Dennis,
    Praying is a private communication between an individual and God and should be kept private. In services, we have prayers during the service, but they are more general and usually not as personal. A silent prayer would be appropriate in public if needed.

    As for the woman's belief that someone is at a higher level of spirituality, that is something taught in the churches like I described. As said, tongues were given so that listeners could understand. It was a gift from the holy spirit and nowhere else does it say that the apostles continued to use it elsewhere. The tongues people in these churches use is not understandable and therefore useless to the listeners.

  • Lafayette

    "Praying is a private communication between an individual and God and should be kept private."
    Thanks for confirming what I believed and was taught.

    Your experiences reminds me of one I had years ago. I was visiting a Pentecostle friend one day, she said she was having a prayer meeting and would I like to stay? I said sure. About ten or fifteen people arrived. We started out holding hands, praying in English and praying one at a time (no problem), but in a few minutes I started hearing gibberish. I tried to figure what languages I was hearing, yet none came to mind. Then they all started praying at once. The only thing I understood was these people were in pain. There was no one to translate any of this.

    The only good thing that came from this gathering was these poor souls got to vent their suffering. As for being edified I don't remember any.

    I'm still friends with this lady, however I haven't been to any more of her (or anyone else) prayer meetings and I am not planing on going to any either.

  • jamyke

    That is the best Technology for all of us

  • Rockinrobin_1976

    I'm trying to figure out where I belong. I am a devout Christian, I have no doubt in my salvation and the who is the only one who can save me and that is Jesus Christ. My problem is that I don't believe you have to speak in tongues as evidence that you are saved. I go to a church that believes this. As far as everything else they believe, I agree with, but I'm having a hard time with this. I know I have faith and I don't believe it's my lack of it that keeps me from being able to speak in tongues. I really think this practice isn't correct. However, like I said, in all the other ways, I agree with them. They also celebrate the feast, which I enjoy doing. I don't believe I have to in order to be saved though and after about a decade of study and prayer, I have stopped celebrating the holidays such as Christmas and Easter. I am convinced they're rooted in paganism. So my dilemma is, if I don't feel comfortable with the church I'm at any longer because of their beliefs in speaking in tongues and if I can't go to a Baptist or Methodist Church because I don't celebrate the holidays anymore, and by going there it would confuse my children, etc. Where do I belong?

  • Skip Miller

    Hello Tracey,
    First of all, I applaud your continued search for Truth.
    Second, I believe that Lorelei's reply is correct.
    Third and last, I believe that God will satisfy your honest need.

  • Lorelei Nettles

    Hi Tracey! As far as keeping the Feasts of God you are right. They do not give you salvation in and of themselves. They are celebrations and memorials. We are told to be like Christ, who did the will of God. Christ kept the Feasts. Paul also kept them because Christ did. 1 Cor. 11:1

    Tongues were foreign languages. As I wrote, in Acts 2 they were speaking to people of many languages and God wanted His message preached so all could understand. The crowd was amazed that they all understand. They were hearing in their own language. It was a miracle. Today some have the great gift of learning foreign languages easily, but there is no longer a need to suddenly speak in a foreign language. If it becomes needed God will surely give that gift again.

    I agree that you cannot attend a church that keep days that are not of God. I would recommend you read The Church Jesus Built here: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-church-jesus-built

    If you are curious about the United Church of God you can also read our Fundamental Beliefs booklet here: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/fundamental-beliefs-of-the-united-church-of-god-0

  • Alexandria

    Thank you so much for this article! It is exactly what I have experienced throughout my life. My husband and I are so very happy to have discovered the UCG. Finally some truth and family amidst the false doctrine and evil we are surrounded with in this world. Thank you!

  • Lorelei Nettles

    Hi Chuck,

    I am not surprised you have not heard of churches who speak in tongues. Unless you are a part of that type of church or see a program that includes information on it, it isn't something you experience daily.

    When speaking of Islamic people you asked, "Will they be part of the end time?". I would recommend you read our free study aid at http://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-middle-east-in-bible-prophecy

  • 1chuck

    I fight every day trying to understand the Bible and the Good News because our society is so corrupt. To me Speaking in Tongues is someones idea of spreading something that no one needs to comprehend. I've never heard of it in 50 years. May be it is mentioned some where.
    I will never go to any church and speak anything but English no matter what is said to do here or any were else. I feel it is not up to you to point something out and then have everyone go along with it even if you think so. Some of your thoughts don't make it so just because you have the means to say it in public.
    On the subject of false profits I'm leaning towards thinking Mohammad is the greatest false profit of all time. Think about that. Who was a crazy person with terrible teachings and thoughts when he was alive? He got people that lived in the dirt then and now to give them some thing to believe in. Printed thoughts about that would be more interesting then speaking in tongues. They never had any reason to comprehend Christianity and they probably never will because they don't want to. They want to rule the world. Will they be part of the end time?

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