What is it like to speak in tongues

[jari]

How is it like to speak in tongues?
Some people at my church speak in tongues. But I heard one brother once saying that he didnt first know he had the gift until he was "renewed" in his faith.

Is it clearly noticable or even understandable other language? Does the sound come from you or from the spirit? (ok sounds like a silly question, because spirits should not be able to make sound by their own)

Thanks. I did not have interest before I started babling my self, assuming however I dont have the gift, but my interest just rised.

God bless.


In Christ,
Jari.

 

[Ann]

This article was taken from our book “The Gift of Holy Spirit: The Power to be like Christ.”

To speak in tongues is to fluently speak a language of either men or angels, a language that does not come from your mind, but by way of God’s spirit within you. It is primarily designed for one’s internal use, but it is also to be utilized in a gathering of Christians by following it with its companion manifestation, interpretation of tongues, so that the Church is edified by one’s praise to God (1 Cor. 14:5b). “Tongues” is a language that God gives you, just as He first did on Pentecost when the Church was born. And that record in Acts 2:1-4 brings up the pattern God intended for every Christian, which is that each one speak in tongues right after he is born again.

Why? So that one immediately knows once and for all that (a) he has everlasting life, (b) the Word of God is true, (c) Jesus Christ is alive, (d) he is filled with the power of God and can utilize all the other manifestations. That is why God clearly says in 1 Corinthians 14:5 that He would like each Christian to speak in tongues. I think that for our Father, hearing a newborn Christian speak in tongues parallels how a mother feels when she hears her newborn baby make its first cry—it’s alive! The difference is that when God hears a child of His speak in tongues, He knows that life will be forever.

So, how do you do it?

Simple — you just open your mouth and utilize the mechanics of speech, but do not speak English or any other language you know. What you will be speaking is whatever language God chooses to give you. If it is a language of men, someone somewhere on the earth (among the approximately 6000 or so dialects) could understand it. If it’s a language of angels, no one on earth would understand it.

NOW HEAR THIS! When it comes to speaking in tongues, there is only one way to fail—and that is not to speak. Please hear me. If you open your mouth and speak (not a language you know), it cannot fail—you will speak in tongues.

Through the years, I have shared these same truths will many people. Some have come back to me and said, “I tried it and it didn’t work.”

I always ask: “Did you open your mouth and project sounds? Did you speak?”

And they say, “Well, no.”

And I say, “Then you did not try.”

Just as with Peter’s foot touching the water, so God cannot give you the words until you speak. Do you see how this perfectly illustrates what the Christian life is all about? God makes many promises to us, but the only way they come to pass is when we act on them. Our heavenly Father makes wonderful promises to us because He adores us, and oh, how He longs to fulfill them to us for our benefit.

So why not relax, take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and focus your mind on the God and the Lord who love you immeasurably. Thank them for having filled you with the holy spirit, take another breath, and let it rip—speak forth words of praise, thanksgiving, and worship. And that is exactly what you will be speaking. And be BOLD—the words you are hearing are the proof that Jesus is alive and well—and that so will you be—forever! It cost him his life for you to be able to praise and worship God in this wonderful way, so get into it!

One more thing—not only will you hear the words you are speaking, like when you speak in your native tongue, but because you are not using your mind to speak in tongues, you can also listen to what you are saying—and that is why it may sound really strange at first. But so would any language you’ve never heard before.

If you decide to speak in tongues now, and it is your first time, keep doing it for a while so that you become convinced that it is real. The junk part of your mind may tell you: “That’s ridiculous, you’re just making it up.” Here are some appropriate replies (that are printable): “No way—I couldn’t make that up.” “Take a hike.” “Get lost.” “Put a sock in it.” “SHUT UP!” Just keep speaking in tongues, and eventually that part of your mind will get tired of telling that lie to you.

In closing, let me say how moved I am at the amazing privilege of sitting here at my computer (first at the Spirit & Truth Fellowship International office and now at the Ford dealer who is fixing my car) and writing something that dear people like you (from Alabama to Afghanistan, Bakersfield to Borneo, Cleveland to Calcutta, etc.) will read and then speak in tongues for the first time. My heart is with you. Go for it!

This is just some information I gathered together for you to get a clearer picture about speaking in tongues.

To answer your question, what is it like. It is difficult to describe except to say it is magical, like being in a place where you feel like you can't get closer to God than at that time.

Hope it helps, I'm not very knowledgeble about the subject, maybe some of our other brothers and sisters can help out as well.

Blessings!

 

[jari]

Thank you for posting that!
What if I'm stuck with just a few words? should I learn more during "practice"?

It troubles me that what if I have just heard those words from somewhere before. I certainly have heard others speaking, but mine is different. Or is it, I dont know for sure... (I mean different from what I have heard)

God bless

 

[Cody]

Acts 2:7-11
7 "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." KJV

The tongues in the Bible were not gibberish. God gave these people to spread His Word. God gave them the ability to speak in foreign language so all could understand. Also know that every time someone spoke in tongues it was in the presence of the unbelieving Jews.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28
27 "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." KJV

If more than three people speak in tongues at the same time, it's against God's Word. If it's not interpreted, it's against God's Word.

1 Corinthians 14:32-33
32 "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." KJV

If someone speaks in tongues and loses control of their spirit, it's against God's Word. If speaking in tongues is done in a way that it brings confusion, it's against God's Word.

People that spoke in tongues in the Bible did not have to learn how. God gave them the gift, they didn't have to practice it.

I hope these verses help. God Bless

 

[Chad]

Portion of Matthew Henry's Commentary (MHC)

II. He corrects their faults, and lays down some regulations for their future conduct. 1. As to speaking in an unknown tongue, he orders that no more than two or three should do it at one meeting, and this not altogether, but successively, one after another. And even this was not to be done unless there were some one to interpret (v. 27, 28), some other interpreter besides himself, who spoke; for to speak in an unknown tongue what he himself was afterwards to interpret could only be for ostentation.

But, if another were present who could interpret, two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. But, if there were none to interpret, he was to be silent in the church, and only exercise his gift between God and himself (v. 28), that is (as I think) in private, at home; for all who are present at public worship should join in it, and not be at their private devotions in public assemblies. Solitary devotions are out of time and place when the church has met for social worship.

 

[jari]

Thank you for the scripture and thank you also for that correction Chad.
I apreciate all scripture of course but I have already concluded that tongues do exist.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I came to Christ and had my first experiences with the manifest power of the Holy Spirit in 1983. At the time, it was suggested that I seek a private prayer language (tongues). They told me to pray for it when I went to bed at night and to just open my mouth and make some sounds while in my mind asking God to give the language to me.

For the first week or so, I hoped no one could hear me because I was making some really weird sounds and I didn't want to be embarrassed. Then one night, it finally broke loose and I knew that I had a powerful tool for private worship.

I don't know that I get any particular emotional charge when I pray in tongues and I don't need to know what I'm saying, because I know that the Holy Spirit is supplying the words and thus it is guaranteed that God is being exalted.

SLE

 

[rizen1]

I praise God, for this mercy and Love.
I praise God that we can fellowship without debate........Amen


Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

 

[jiggyfly]

Acts 2:7-11
7 "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." KJV

The tongues in the Bible were not gibberish. God gave these people to spread His Word. God gave them the ability to speak in foreign language so all could understand. Also know that every time someone spoke in tongues it was in the presence of the unbelieving Jews.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28
27 "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." KJV

If more than three people speak in tongues at the same time, it's against God's Word. If it's not interpreted, it's against God's Word.

1 Corinthians 14:32-33
32 "And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." KJV

If someone speaks in tongues and loses control of their spirit, it's against God's Word. If speaking in tongues is done in a way that it brings confusion, it's against God's Word.

People that spoke in tongues in the Bible did not have to learn how. God gave them the gift, they didn't have to practice it.

I hope these verses help. God Bless

Do you apply the same standard and vigor towards all areas of scripture?

2Corinthians 14:39&40
39*Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40*Let all things be done decently and in order.

I have been to many main line denominations including Baptist which forbid people to speak in tongues. Some don't allow the "laying on of hands". Some don't allow the gift of prophecy to be uttered. Some still teach and require tithing. So the point is the word, when used like a sword requires great skill, strength and carefulness or you could end up cutting your own arm off.

 

[Cody]

Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The gift of the Holy Spirit is salvation right?

 

[jari]

I think I have the gift, I'm just so douptful about everything. But when I didn't doupt and spoke I was filled with the holy spirit, some.
It's really great but I still wonder what if I can sometimes make up the words and sometimes its the spirit.
I can't practive it much because of the people around me, who are all unbelievers.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Growing In The Lord

Jari,

You are young and you are excited about your relationship with God, and I'm excited for you.

I'm thinking of Luke 2:40 and I challenge you to meditate on that verse. You see, you are going through something that Jesus had to go through because He came to earth as man. While this verse applies primarily to Him, it also applies to all true believers (including you).


SpiritLedEd (SLE)

 

[SpiritLedEd]

What's It Like To Speak in Tongues?

The gift of the Holy Spirit is salvation right?

Cody,

Salvation does indeed come through the Holy Spirit, but His power extends way beyond our personal salvation:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Mark records Jesus' final message to His Apostles in this way: "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well. (mark 16: 15-18)

While Matthew doesn't mention the ascenscion per se, it seems obvious that what we call The Great Commision is his version of Jesus' last words to them: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Mt 28:18-20)

All of Jesus' miracles were done through the power of the Holy Spirit. As man, He needed the Holy Spirit's power. The Great Commision has been passed on to us and to fulfill it, we have available to us The Gifts of the Spirit as discussed in Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Cor 12 through 14.

SLE
Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Cor 12 through 14.

 

[aaroncam85]

the gift of tounges does exsist as paul states clearly in the corinth letter but he also says it should be used in an orderly manner but when he speaks of doing it quietly i believe you can speak in tounges during coperate worship as long as you are not disturbing anyone, i do not how ever believe it is a sign of a receiving of the holy spirit for 2 reasons i dont speak in tounges and 2 paul says it is a gift and implies it is given to only a few.
God has blessed us i see much wisdom in christendom.

 

[jari]

aaroncam85, everything that God gives to us is a gift, from the salvation it self to spiritual gifts.
We should just ask for those gifts, pray to have them.
Jesus says:

(Mat 7:11) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(Luk 11:13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?


Maybe not every one speaks with tonques because not every one asks for it. I didn't at first, but then after a long time I prayed.

God bless you.

 

[Janette]

to pick a nit or two...

The tongues in the Bible were not gibberish. God gave these people to spread His Word. God gave them the ability to speak in foreign language so all could understand. Also know that every time someone spoke in tongues it was in the presence of the unbelieving Jews.

I think the point was that it was in the presence of unbelievers in general, not unbelieving Jews specifically, but I'm not certain.

Have you ever found any *Scriptural* reference for the idea of people speaking in *angelic* tongues? The Bible references unknown (to the audience) tongues, but is there anything which specifically says the language would be a non-human language?

1 Corinthians 14:27-28
27 "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God." KJV

If more than three people speak in tongues at the same time, it's against God's Word. If it's not interpreted, it's against God's Word.

Here's where I have to pick a nit at ya

I don't think it's correct to say that if more than 3 people speak in tongues at the same time then it's against God's Word: There were over 500 people present at Pentacost and lots and lots of people were gifted with tongues then.

It is also not correct to say that an interpreter is *always* necessary. Again, at Pentacost, the people simply gained the ability to speak in "known" tongues that were unknown to the speakers.

By contrast, it would seem that if someone spontaneously begins speaking in an *unknown* (to the general audience) tongue granted by God, then God also provides an interpreter who recognizes the language and that *those* types of tongue speaking should be reserved for small groups (2/3)with interpreters while the ones where people just spontaneously get a new recognizable language to Witness in is unrestricted.

Of course, that latter bit has always left me wondering exactly what would stop two people from "planning" an "inspirational" event such that one would speak "in tongues" while the latter "interpreted" after the fashion of John Dee and Edward Kelly (who at least had the sense not to dare say it was *God* they got their "prophecies" from).

At any rate, Paul speaks in 1 Cor 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."

This would all seem to fly in the face of the huge groups of random people coming together to each speak their own private bit of gibberish...which sadly is the only kind of "tongue speaking" I've ever seen.

 

[Cody]

In Acts they didn't need an interpreter. They heard it in their own language.

In Corinthians they needed an interpreter and they had rules to go by also. I see a difference in these two events a little bit.

Also, God was dealing with the nation of Israel(Jews) back then. In the Bible it says the Jews require a sign(1 Cor. 1:22) and it also says that tongues are a sign(1 Cor. 14:22). I may be wrong, but God isn't dealing with the Jews like He was back then. He is dealing with us and He has gave us the Final Word of God. Those people knew in part, but we have which is perfect(1 Cor. 13:10) aka the full Word of God.

This will be my final post on this subject. The Statement of Faith on talk Jesus says they believe in tongues. Although, I don't agree with tongues for today(I'm not denying the Holy Spirit, I'm rightly dividing the word of truth), I love all my brothers and sisters on talk Jesus that speak in tongues and I don't look down on them. I have gave my belief on the subject and that is all I can do.

God Bless you all