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TONGUES: WHY DO I NEED IT?
Are tongues for today--or did it go out with the apostles? Those who believe in them and actively use them would answer with a resounding "yes, the use of tongues is alive and well on planet earth." In the book of Acts, the receiving of tongues is usually goes along with the receiving of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Many call this the Baptism of the Holy Spirit . This is additional power given to the believer above and beyond what occurs at salvation. While I do not insist that tongues is the proof that one has received this Baptism, I believe that believers do have a private prayer language as a gift from God. This is separate and apart from the Gift of Tongues to be used in the corporate setting and should be accompanied by Interpretation for the edification of the unbeliever. Paul said that he spoke in tongues more than most people; he was grateful to God for this gift. ( I Cor 14:18 ) He encouraged others to speak in tongues, as well ( Verse 5a ). Is it possible that tongues is the "secret" of his close relationship with God? I Corinthians 14 is the chapter about Tongues. On the surface, partially because of Verse 5, it would seem to giving instruction about the use of tongues during church. I do not believe this is the case. I believe that Paul is explaining the difference between tongues in a private setting and how they can and should be handled in a corporate setting. I Cor 14:27-28 . Verse 27 refers to the corporate setting where tongues and interpretation are used together as prophesy. Paul makes it plain that tongues should not be used in public without someone available to interpret. He goes on to say in verse 28 that if an interpreter is not present, then he should be silent or just speak to himself and to God. It's pretty plain that Paul believes that tongues should not be used in public without someone available to interpret. Does this mean that we can only use tongues during church, either when an interpreter is present of just silently to ourselves? I think not. I believe this is giving instruction for orderliness within the church setting. If someone gets up and says something, it should be understandable. If one is really tuned into the Holy Spirit and knows that they are being prompted to get up and say something (in tongues), then it is reasonable that the Holy Spirit is also giving someone the interpretation. However, these scriptures do not say that tongues is only used at church. If Paul used them often, it is reasonable to believe he wasn't speaking in tongues only while at church. So what is the purpose of tongues? In Verse 2 , Paul tells us that when one speaks in tongues, they aren't speaking to humans but to God. It's a spirit to spirit communication that is not understood by man. So, what good is it if we don't understand it? What is the purpose? Verse 4a "He that speaketh in a unknown tongue edifieth himself." Paul wouldn't have said this if it wasn't true. Tongues is speaking to God and edifying oneself. Prophesy edifies the church. But how does all this occur? The Bible gives basic understanding about tongues. However, there is a lot that has been left unsaid. Therefore, one needs to study the Bible and listen to the experiences of others and weigh them against Biblical teachings. Tongues appear to open the gates between soul and spirit at a level [above/below/other than] the conscious, allowing non verbal communications that could not be put into words, or sometimes even thoughts, such as dealing with basic emotions. One finds that a fine tuning occurs. In our daily life, we talk to God through prayer. However, we are also supposed to be listening to Him. When one speaks in tongues for an extended amount of time, one becomes tuned into God and the Holy Spirit in an increased way. Revelation comes. By revelation, I mean that one may have increased understanding about a topic or have sudden knowledge of something (that turns out to be true) without being told by another human. Other reactions happen within the physical body. It has been said that a study was done by an ORU brain surgeon, Dr. Carl Peterson. Physical evidence showed that when tongues may be spoken or laughter occurs, a part of the brain is activated and the immune system kicks into gear so that healing takes place. Read Dr. Peterson's summary of this study. Indeed, this information provides us with a good reason why we should seek speak in tongues on a daily basis. Kenneth Hagin, Sr in his 1975 booklet Why Tongues? gives ten reasons why a believer should speak in tongues. I will list each reason and elaborate on each point in my own words or with quotes. 1. Tongues is the Initial sign. Much material is available on why many believe tongues is a sign of having received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people are hindered from expressing their unknown language. Some gush forth with it; others have to work at it. You may read my story Tongues: How Do I Get it? 2. Tongues is for Spiritual edification ( I Cor 14:4 ) Hagin says (p. 13) Greek language scholars tell us that we have a word in our modern vernacular which is closer to the meaning of the original than the word 'edified.' That word is 'charge'--as used in connection with charging a battery. Therefore we could paraphrase this verse, 'He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies, charges, builds himself up like a battery.'" Tongues- speakers will tell you that they do feel revitalized after a session of speaking in tongues. Tongues appear to open the gates between soul and spirit at a level [above/below/other than] the conscious, allowing non verbal communications that could not be put into words, or sometimes even thoughts, such as dealing with basic emotions. Physical evidence, part of brian previously thought by scientists as unused lights up when speaking in tongues. Your immune system also kicks into high gear, indicating that healing takes place when speaking in tongues. 3. Tongues remind us of the Spirit's Indwelling presence. In a normal day, how aware are we of the presence of God and the Holy Spirit in our lives? It's so easy for the mind to be thinking of other things. While it's physically possible to be thinking about the grocery list while speaking in tongues, most of the time I find that my mind begins to shift from a self-focus to a God-centered focus. 4. Praying in tongues is praying in line with God's perfect will. Romans 8:26-27 (KJV) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. This scripture says that the Spirit helps us in praying when we don't know how to pray or don't have the words. Praying in tongues is a heartfelt way of praying in alignment with God's Will. The Spirit itself is making intercession for us. I suggest we forget logic, move over and let the Spirit work. 5. Praying in tongues stimulates Faith Jude 20 (KJV) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Over the years, I've been told to "Just have faith" whenever I have a problem. That's pretty hard when it seems that the whole world is caving in on oneself. I believe this scripture tells us that if we "pray in the Holy Ghost" (meaning to pray in tongues), then our faith will be uplifted. I believe that we have all the faith that we need; however, most of us don't really exercise the faith given to us by God. 6. Speaking in Tongues, A means of keeping free from Worldly Contamination. As I said above, while it is possible to be thinking about other things while speaking in tongues, experienced tongues-speakers will say that you feel tuned in to God while exercising this gift. Try it sometime when things around you are not going the way you would like. Kenneth Hagin gives the example that he sits quietly, talking to God in tongues, while other customers are telling risque jokes at the barber shop. 7. Praying in tongues enables us to pray for the unknown. Have you ever gotten the urge to pray for someone but have no idea why? You want to pray but don't know of anything specific about which to pray. For how long can you say "God, take care of my friend. I have an urge to pray but don't know what to say." This is a good time to go into tongues. Tell God that you recognize the Holy Spirit has put this person on your heart. But you don't know what to say so will let the Holy Spirit intercede for this unknown need. I've read many examples of people who have compared notes about something that happened at a specific time. Andrew Wommack tells the story of a woman in his prayer group who shared with them that she had been called into the bosses' office (there was a problem going on and she was being blamed for something she didn't do.). While at their usual activities, Andrew and several others had felt an urge to pray for her. When they saw her the next day they asked "Was something going on with you about blank time yesterday?" She related what had happened. And that when she got to the boss's office, he just looked at her and said "never mind." My suggestion is that in an instance like this, pray for the person in tongues until the burden is lifted. If anything specific comes to mind as revelation/inspiration during this time, go ahead an pray in your native/natural language as well. 8. Praying in Tongues gives spiritual refreshing (refer also to point #2). You'll have to try this for yourself. I know that I feel uplifted. If you are ever tired, try speaking quietly in tongues for a few minutes. Generally, you will begin to feel energized and can return to your work. This can also work if you are feeling sleepy in class or church--just be sure to catch yourself and start doing it before you are actually asleep. More importantly, whether discussing refreshing or edification, the tongues-speaker receiveds enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. Scripture will become real to you so that you can see how it applies to your life. Possibly you will have revelation that is discernment and knowledge of things you wouldn't know without God's help. 9. Tongues for Giving Thanks Paul points out that when you are speaking in tongues, you are blessing God. Tongues is a way of praising God and giving thanks. We read this into I Cor 14:16 . Paul is again speaking of the use of tongues in a corporate setting. He's instruction is that there should be interpretation so the listeners can be in agreement with what is said. I myself only like to say Amen at the end of a prayer (given by someone else) if I agree with what was said. Amen means "So be it." I also don't sing certain hymns because I don't agree with the words. Verse 15 shows us that it is also possible to "sing in the spirit" as well as speak. I've found that sometimes I sing to music I already know. At other times, a new tune comes out. Acts 10 tells the story of the centurion, Cornelius, who along with his household, accepted Jesus as Lord. Peter preached to him and the Holy Ghost fell on the listeners. Then they were heard to speak in tongues. This was the living proof that Gentiles were also accepted by God. Verse 46 indicates that a result of tongues-speaking is that God is magnified. Hans Haycraft of crosswalk.com wrote "When we magnify something, we make it bigger. Yet, we know that God doesn't change, God is not going to get any bigger. It is our perception of God that is altered, God remains the same. Speaking in tongues alters our perception of God. We come to love God because he is revealed to us as we open our minds and hearts to him.. 10. Speaking in tongues brings the tongue under subjection. James 3:8 states that the tongue is unruly. Hagin says (p. 29) "Yielding the tongue to the Holy Spirit to speak with other tongues is a giant step toward fully yielding all of our members to God. for if we can yield this most unruly member, we can yield any member." I believe that speaking in tongues brings our center of focus onto God rather than self. In summary, I believe that the gift of tongues is for all believers. Certainly, this is true if we believe Mark 16:17-20 . Christ told the disciples that they were to go out into the world to preach the gospel. The result would be more believers who would also be able to use the power of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles. Among the visible results listed in this passage is "new tongues." If Christ thought it important enough to mention when instructing those who became the Apostles, it should be something that we also seek. So -- Tongues: How do I Get it? |
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