Comments on: A little tongue action…

By: milkboy31

milkboy31 — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:14:00 +0000

Heh… “ran into” or “are related to”…. whatever.

By: leanybean

leanybean — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:57:00 +0000

Good deal. I just wasn't sure on where you stood about that. Most people I know who have taken the time to educate themselves on the matter would agree with you, too, I think, from what I've observed. I used to be skeptical about speaking in tongues at first, but I've come to the same conclusion that you have. I'm glad that you've taken the time to think about it and study it biblically, and I'm sorry that you've ran into people who feel so free to judge you.

By: milkboy31

milkboy31 — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:32:00 +0000

Isn’t it fun seeing how folks twist the Bible to back whatever their beliefs may be?

If a person has the ability to speak in tongues or a “prayer language” then by all means… in private, if you know you aren’t faking it… do it up! God obviously has given them that gift and using it is not wrong as long as it is used for the purpose it was given. The only way I would call it selfish is if it were done publicly with a lack of interpretation… thus drawing all focus on the speaker and not on God. This behavior is not unlike the actions of the pharisees of Jesus’ day… praying loudly on the street corners, proclaiming their own righteousness, wearing extra large scripture boxes… all for the esteem they felt for doing so.

The gift definitely exists… but I think it is far from as common as it was in those days. As stated, they had a purpose for it then… It was used to spread the Gospel to languages that didn’t have it. I don’t doubt it still exists… but it’s likely more of a private matter now.

By: leanybean

leanybean — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 23:58:00 +0000

I think I agree with you and I definitely agree that speaking in tongues is not a true test of whether or not someone is "saved." Only God knows our hearts... and how do people know if someone else isn't faking it? And aren't there instances where someone "speaks in tongues" and an inpterpreter realizes that those are not words from God? Also, that first verse you mentioned about going to Samaria and stuff is used by Mormons to demonstrate that one must have the laying on of hands to recieve the Holy Spirit.... I just think that's interesting. Anyway.

I was just wondering what you think of people who have something like a "prayer language," where perhaps tongues is not spoken in public but prayed in private to God. Paul talks about this I think in the chapter you mentioned, 1 Cor. 14, and I am particularly referring to verses 13-17. Do you really think it is selfish when someone prays in private to God in tongues if there is no interpreter? And if you do, what would you base that on? It seems to me that Paul prays in tongues in private but would rather speak in public in a known language.(vs. 17 &18)

I honestly already have my own beliefs about this, but I'm always curious as to what others think, and I've been having trouble finding people I can talk to about issues like tongues because I'm often written off as looney for thinking that gift exists