WHY SPEAK IN TONGUES This is one of the hottest subject in full gospel services. Tongues The misuse of tongues has led to many people speaking who have no idea what speaking in tongues is all about. Many so-called Christians believe this is the way to show they have received the Holy Spirit. Others use it ritualistic, in church services. Well both of the above reasons show lack of Spiritual guidance. Paul found himself faced to face, in debate with the church leaders of his time, because of their lack of understanding speaking in tongues. These over zealous leaders were destroying and dividing the body of Christ. So Paul decided to lay down some guidelines. Beginning with first Cor. 14 Paul tells believers to pursue love, and desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially being able to interpret the word of God. Paul did not say especially speaking in tongues. Now we must read Gal. 5:22, to know that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, and long suffering. When one is filled with the Spirit the gifts are freely given, and there will be evidence in their lifestyle. Paul said when we speak in tongues we are not speaking to men, but to God. So Paul tells believers it is better to understand and interpret the will of God, publicly, then speak in tongues. He says him who speaks in tongues build himself up, while those who interpret the will of God builds up the church, and promotes growth in Christian wisdom, holiness, and happiness. (1 Cor. 14:4) So we see that when people speak in tongues verbally, in a public service, it is selfish. Unless it is three or less with interpretations. The Bible does not say people must speak in tongues when they receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is stated in Acts 2:2-4 that on the day of Pentecost the disciples were gathered together when suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a mighty wind, and filled the entire house in which they were sitting. The Bible goes on to say there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed to each disciple. Be sure to understanding that the Bible is saying that tongues resembling fire were given to the disciples; it did not say the disciples starting speaking in tongues. Acts 2:4 says the Apostles were filled in their souls with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages (not muttering) but known foreign languages, as the Spirit kept giving them a clear and loud expression (in each tongue in appropriate words). Clearly these men began to speak in known languages. And to avoid misunderstanding of these scriptures the Bible tells us why these men were given foreign languages. In Act 2: 6-7 it says there were many believers standing about (halfheartedly) believing in Christ. They needed an outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit. When they heard the disciples speaking the native tongue of every nationality that was present, they were amazed, because the disciples were all Galileans. The multitude began to ask how could this be, and provided an opportunity for the disciples to show the power one receive when the Holy Spirit comes into our soul. Too many believers go to the extreme of muttering, shouting, running and rolling cause they believe the Holy Spirit makes them act like monkeys. Many Pentecostal churches will never have the power of the Holy Spirit cause they are filled with people looking for an emotional highs from Gods. Then there are other so-called Christians who think they have been filled with the Holy Spirit, cause they speak mumble jumble, but are powerless. All the above are ignorant to why we have tongues and why we have the Holy Spirit. We must begin to judge by the word of God whether we are following God or man. If we say we are following Jesus but have no power we are lying. All through the Bible it talks about having power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you. John said he Baptized in water but there was coming another that would baptize in the Holy Spirit. When we really look at the word of God, we see Jesus never spoke in tongues publicly, when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, but from the time He received the Holy Spirit Jesus started performing miracles. Paul wanted to confirm to Christians that speaking in tongues was less important than interpreting God’s prefect will. This was important because people back then was doing the same thing we are doing today. You can visit full gospel services today, and see the whole congregation, rolling around on the floor, and speaking in who know what tongue. Now if we go back to the word of God, we will find out that it is not right. So this means either people are not reading the word with understanding, or they refuse to hear what the Spirit is saying. Paul repeats his instructions when he says the one who prophesy is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, because the prophet builds up the church in contrast to building one self. (1Cor. 14:5). Reading farther we find Paul telling believers not to speak in tongues unless there was an interpreter. It will not help others if you speak to them in tongues, and they have no idea of what you are talking about. Now if we really believe what the word of God is saying then, we see speaking in tongues publicly without interpretations is wrong. I know this rubs your religious understanding the wrong way, and people caught in the snares of pleasing mankind would rather roll around on the floor, pretending to be filled with the Spirit, then stand up and follow Christ. Christ said a friend of the world is an enemy to God. When we seek the truth about speaking in tongues, we find tongues have a certain purpose. Tongues are for communicating with the Holy Spirit. When you speak in tongues your mind does not have control, but your spirit is in control. This way we can help others. The Holy Spirit does not shout as we do nor do it dance like us. The Holy Spirit is so gentle that one must be peaceful to hear It’s still small voice. The Holy Spirit is just that, a spirit, and spirits are not heard or seen with our physical eyes or ears. So all the shouting and rolling on the floor in the name of being slain by the Holy Spirit is confusing. Speaking from personal experience, I remember the first time I spoke in tongues. In a small room, within the church, I was surrounded by four or five people praying for me. As the tempo increased so did my wish to speak in tongues. I wanted to speak in tongues so bad that I started chanting, "Holy Spirit gave me tongues." Suddenly the preacher put his hand on my forehead and began shouting, while pressing me against the wall. I was so overcome with emotions that I began to speak, and speak and speak. When I got through, everyone was ready to go home. I have no idea what I was speaking, but I do know that it felt good. I believed I was actually speaking to God, plus everyone told me I had spoken in tongues, so I accepted. Now it was not until two or three weeks later that I knew something was not right. One of the church mothers came on my job and began asking me whether I had spoken in tongues since that time. When I said no, she immediately accused me of not practicing tongues. Suddenly she shouted, speak in tongues, and I started muttering, shaking and dropped my cheeseburger. After she was gone, I knew I had lied. That is when I decided to find out what tongues were all about. I began to look for answers and discovered that tongues where not meant to be used to show our holiness, or to be used by everyone in the congregation, simultaneous. I also understood tongues were for mankind to talk with the Holy Spirit, and get built up. Tongues are another gift God granted to mankind to keep mankind in his God given dominion. When you speak in tongues verbally you are telling everyone and every other spirit what you should tell only God. Now why would God, with all His wisdom, give us a secret language to share publicly? Also remember Paul said he who speaks in an unknown language edifies himself, which mean we should use tongues as a means of getting ourselves built up. And from personal experience I can tell you that speaking in tongues renews my heart and gives boldness. I must also say that since I learned about tongues, I no longer speak from my lips. I speak in tongues everyday cause my spirit speaks with the Holy Spirit, and my life reflects my contact with the Spirit. I speak in tongues while I am working, cause my mental capacity has nothing to do with my spiritual contact. Once I have talked with the Holy Spirit, my mind and body follow my heart. This is why Christians should be strong, and the lack of understanding tongues is why Christians are being defeated. The only way to know whether someone has the Spirit of God is by the love he gives to others. So the next times you see someone spitting and sputtering under the pretense of the Holy Spirit remember what Jesus said, "You will know my disciples by the love they have for one another." If a person speaks from sun up to sundown and have not loved (God type of love) he is lying. Now don’t get upset with me, I am simply repeating what Paul said. Remember God is love, and the only way a person can talk with God is through love, and this love is what cause us to love others. And because we love others and have a wish to help others we can hear the Spirit speaking. See it all goes hand in hand when you understand tongues. Until I loved mankind I pretended God had touched me; I spoke in tongues every chance I got. Now if I would be truthful, much of the jibbering I did was nothing more than copied performances. I acted the way I saw the other church members act. After church service was over I was the same old defeated Christian, filled with doubt. By my outward actions no one saw my sadness, but when I was alone I knew I had no idea about sharing with God. Once I was in a crisis and I had no one to call on. I got quiet within and began to petition God. I recalled what Andrew Womack said when he quoted the scripture that says the Holy Spirits intercedes and pray for us cause we know not what we should pray for. The urge to petition God tried to resurface, but I started praising God for His Holy Spirit instead. This continued for some time, and when it was over I had joy and power, and knew I had broken through. Let me also say that the only words I remember coming from my lips were praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy. After that my spirit began and I knew from within that everything would be fine. No the crisis was not gone, but I was strong. This was the first time I every spoke in tongues, and I didn’t use my lips to do it. I later heard Andrew Womack say that he communicates with the spirit all day long, and most of his spiritual conversation was nonverbal. Believe me, when the Spirit comes upon you, you must be quite, cause the Spirit speaks in a still small voice. I hope to ignite a flame into all readers so they may hunger for God’s trues. Seek to know the real purpose of tongues so that you to may be a soldier in the kingdom of our Lord and saver.