Questions and Answers Addendum (continued)

9. Are tongues in a real language ... or can they be any kind of verbal utterances? There is nothing in the Bible that indicates that tongues would be anything but a real language. The word unknown was used in conjunction with the word tongue several times in the King James translation of 1 Corinthians 14. However, there is no Greek word for unknown in those verses (2,4,13,14,19, and 27). The language of tongues was unknown to the one speaking ... but probably not unknown in the history of mankind. Some say it might be in the language of angels, 1 Corinthians 13:1 ... but there is no indication that angels speak in some disorganized babbling. Angels speak coherently, Luke 2:8-14, Revelation 5:11-12. The word used for tongue in Greek means either the physical organ in one's mouth ... or it means language as used in Revelation 5:9, 13:7 and 17:15.

10. How do I know if a manifestation of the gift of tongues is real? The source of tongues is important. Real language tongues may come from the Holy Spirit or from Satan. Chaotic, babbling-type tongues may be from the emotional side of the flesh or from Satan. Tongues from the Holy Spirit will be consistent with all the Biblical rules.

      Tongues are prayers addressed to God, 1 Corinthians 14:2,14.

      Tongues are a sign for non-believers, 1 Corinthians 14:22.

      There are three tongues maximum per meeting, 1 Corinthians 14:27.

      Tongues are spoken one at a time, 1 Corinthians 14:27.

      Tongues are spoken only with interpretation, 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.

      Tongues should be used properly and in order, 1 Corinthians 14:40.

      And tongues from the Spirit will be consistent demonstrations of the

      fruit of the Spirit ... "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

      faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.

11. Should I seek the gift of tongues? All believers are not given the gift of tongues, 1 Corinthians 12:30. All the gifts are given at the Spirit's desire rather than our desire, 1 Corinthians 12:11. Paul listed several gifts ... putting tongues at the end of the list. He then wrote "but earnestly desire the greater gifts." 1 Corinthians 12:28-31. Paul put love above tongues, 1 Corinthians 13:1. He preferred prophecy to tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:5. He also wrote that he would prefer to speak five words with his mind than 10,000 words in a tongue. Paul acknowledged the gift of tongues in the lives of others and in his own life. However, he often warned of the misuse of this gift. Paul wrote, "Do not forbid to speak in tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39. A good approach to tongues is this ... seek not and forbid not.

12. What about private prayer tongues? Some Christians experience a mysterious language when they pray alone. Romans 8:26 teaches that the Holy Spirit prays for us ... not through us. Jude 1:20 teaches that we should pray in the Spirit ... but we should do all things in the Spirit. Justifying private tongues from these verses is an interpretive stretch. Paul wished that all spoke in tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:5. However, all cannot speak in tongues.

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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.