Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in Tongues

The following material is not to be taken as either a recommendation or a condemnation of speaking in tongues.

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

The purpose is simple. If speaking in tongues is of God, then it must conform to God’s rules.  However, conforming to these rules does not guarantee that it is of God. If speaking in tongues breaks the rules of God, then it is not of God. If it keeps the rules, then we should try the spirit to see if it is the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:1-3, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. KJV

If you are spiritual, you will accept the authority of God’s Word on this subject of His rules on the tongues issue.

1 Cor 14:37-40

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order. KJV

 

If you desire to be ignorant in this area, you will succeed!

I Corinthians 14:38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

 

The term “tongues” will be used to refer only to that which is a true gift of the Holy Spirit. In that tongues are being counterfeited by demons and/or the flesh, these rules apply only to that which is of God.

  1. Do not covet or seek to speak in tongues.

I Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. KJV

I Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. KJV

 

  1. Tongues are worthless if you don’t have true love.

I Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. KJV

 

  1. True tongues will not cause divisions in the Church, but rather will establish unity.

I Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. KJV.

 

There will be no confusion caused by the tongues, but the result will be peace.

I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. KJV

All things, tongues included, are to be done decently and in order.

I Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. KJV

 

  1. Not all saved will be able to speak in tongues.

I Corinthians 12:30, 10, 11

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?KJV

1 Corinthians 12:10-11

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. KJV

 

  1. Tongues are the least important and least valuable of all gifts

I Corinthians 12:28, 30

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? KJV

 

  1. Five words spoken with understanding are more important than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue

I Corinthians 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. KJV

(And therefore tongues will not replace teaching and preaching.)

 

  1. Tongues are not to be used unless they edify others.

I Corinthians 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. KJV

1 Cor 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? KJV

 

  1. There must be at least two, but no more than three speaking when tongues are used.

I Corinthians 14:27 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. KJV

 

  1. These two or three are to take turns speaking.

I Corinthians 14:27 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. KJV

 

  1. There is to be one interpreter–no more, no less. (I Corinthians 14:27)

I Corinthians 14:27 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. KJV

 

  1. If there is no interpreter, there is to be no speaking.

I Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. KJV

 

  1. Women are not permitted to speak either in tongues or interpreting.

I Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.  KJV                                                        (What is the subject of this chapter? TONGUES)