Can demons speak in tongues?

[blessedrosary]

I was discussing prayer with a protestant i know. He told me that he prays to God through tongues becuase Satan can’t intercede or mess up the prayer that way. I was just curious if they can speak in tongues. To my knowledge, Angels have perfect knowledge and that isn’t taken away from them until the day of judgement. Of course i could be wrong about this. Also, he says that tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit and thats why Satan can not intervene in tongues, but to my knowledge, wasnt tongues given to followers of Christ in order to teach those of other languages, not to pray to God?

 

[MrS]

Since the “Father of Lies” is a spirit, and uses many means to deceive us… I would suppose everything he says is in tongues. Good thing we have the Church to interpret.

Search the forum for many threads on tongues… and lots of opposing viewpoints… all in English and understandable.

 

[masterjedi747]

blessedrosary:

He told me that he prays to God through tongues…

What the heck is THAT supposed to mean? Correct me if I’m wrong…but “speaking in tongues” is a miraculous phenomenon by which everyone around you, no matter what language they speak, can understand exactly what you are saying. This happened to the apostles in the New Testament (Acts of the Apostles?), when everyone nearby heard the apostles preaching to them in their own native language, no matter what it was.

blessedrosary:

becuase Satan can’t intercede or mess up the prayer that way.

I don’t think Satan can intercede or mess up ANY prayer anyway…how could he? All he can do is try to distract you, and I doubt that speaking a particular language somehow makes you immune to that.

blessedrosary:

I was just curious if they can speak in tongues.

If “speaking in tongues” means that they can speak multiples languages (perhaps even simultaneously), then my vote would definitely be on YES. However, he is partially correct, because demons really don’t/can’t recieve graces from the Holy Spirit like that (much less an apostolic grace such as the gift of speaking in tongues)…so, in that sense, he is correct. But for all intents and purposes, they can accomplish the same effect thought different means.

blessedrosary:

To my knowledge, Angels have perfect knowledge and that isn’t taken away from them until the day of judgement.

I don’t know if it’s PERFECT knowledge…but I do know that their intellects are far superior to ours, and that they can (essentially) learn things instantly. So I doubt that learning a foreign language would be very difficult at all.

blessedrosary:

Also, he says that tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit

Well, it is…and to be specific, it is a created (meaning it can increase or decrease) apostolic/charismatic grace. It falls under the same category of grace at the types given to prophets and healers. And as far as I know, it’s incredibly rare. You only get it when you need it, and I seriously doubt you would even know that you had used it until someone informed you of it after the fact.

blessedrosary:

but to my knowledge, wasnt tongues given to followers of Christ in order to teach those of other languages, not to pray to God?

Yeah…I mean, maybe I’m wrong, but I really don’t know what he’s talking about.

 

[Steven_Merten]

I am always amaized that Jesus tells us that Christian hell goers, who follow Satan by not doing the will of the Father, will have done miraculous things.

Of course I believe, like I think others on this thread believe, that the Protestants are just doing some deceptive mumbling in order to attain glorification in this world as posessing the gift of the Holy Spirit of “speaking in tounges”.

If Satan can intercede and mess up gifts of the Holy Spirit of prophecy, exorcism and miracles, of his evil Christian followers, then I do not see why Satan cannot do the same with the true gift of the Holy Spirit of speaking in tougues.

NAB MAT 7:21

“None of those who cry out, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of God but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. When that day comes, many will plead with me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ have we not prophesied in your name? have we not exorcized demons by its power? Did we not do many miracles in your name as well? Then I will declare to them solemnly, I never knew you. Out of my sight, you evildoers!”

“Anyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on rock. When the rainy season set in, the torrents came and the winds blew and buffeted his house, It did not collapse; it had been solidly set on rock. Anyone who hears my words but does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who built his house on sandy ground. The rains fell, the torrents came, the winds blew and lashed against his house. It collapsed under all this and was completely ruined.”

 

[JMJ_Theresa]

This is an excerpt from Colin Donovan’s reply on Q&A on ewtn

Within the charismatic renewal, there seems to be two phenomenon, “tongues” as traditionally understood, and a kind of “babbling” that is not a discernable human language. A friend of mine had a prayer tongue which she used for years, until a Franciscan bible scholar was visiting her parish and attended a prayer group meeting, after which he informed her that she was speaking in Aramaic. In another, not so happy, example, another friend, while still an Episcopalian, attended a Pentecostal meeting out of curiosity with a foreign missionary of his church who spoke a Chinese dialect. While there the missionary suddenly confronted a woman speaking in tongues, telling the Pentecostal pastor that she was cursing God in a Chinese dialect he knew. While one example seems positive, and the other negative, they both illustrate a problem, this gift is faciliated by angels, and both sides of the spiritual battle have the same angelic nature. If the good guys can do it, the bad can, too. Thus, for this kind of speaking in tongues there needs to be an interpreter, if it is to benefit anyone, or if in public (cf. 1 Cor. 14:17-28). Only then can the tongue be discerned as from God or the enemy. In private, a person who has an authentic gift, discerned as such by the community (as my friend’s was by this Franciscan), could reasonably assume they are praying, not blaspheming.

 

[ChibiViolet]

I’ve been speaking in tounges since I was seventeen. Sometimes it feels like a form of prayer, but usually it feels like it’s coming from a bad source. When I speak in tounges, I sometimes recognize a little bit of what I’m saying, usually only the word “Satani,” which I tend to repeat a lot. I’ve been told that it’s either coming from God or my own subconcious–that the ability to speak in tounges cannot come from demons. Priests have told me this, but I’ve gotten some awful temptations when speaking in tounges like urges to be open to demons and worship Satan. One time I very breifly spoke in tougnes involuntarily, after I had just decided I wasn’t going to do it anymore.

I seldom do do this anymore as I typically don’t feel the urge to do so and when I do, I limit it, by mentally saying “I’m not open to saying anything sacreligous or blasphemous.” Also, if I mentally say “I’m not open to speaking in tounges if it’s coming from demons,” the urge to speak in tounges will dim down and cease very quickly. I have to admit though, I do enjoy doing so–not because I want to say anything bad, but because it feels good and because it’s interesting. When I speak in tounges, I’ll speak in strange voices I can’t make when I’m speaking normally (meaning when I’m not speaking in tougnes.)

I’ve been told it woudn’t be of grave matter to do this even if it was coming from demons as I don’t know what I’m saying and don’t mean anything by it. I still think it might be, but I doubt I’ll ever know if it is…In any case, I think this ability comes from one or more demons (in my case) despite what I’ve been told.

 

[bmullins]

I was discussing prayer with a protestant i know. He told me that he prays to God through tongues becuase Satan can’t intercede or mess up the prayer that way. I was just curious if they can speak in tongues. To my knowledge, Angels have perfect knowledge and that isn’t taken away from them until the day of judgement. Of course i could be wrong about this. Also, he says that tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit and thats why Satan can not intervene in tongues, but to my knowledge, wasnt tongues given to followers of Christ in order to teach those of other languages, not to pray to God?

Since the protestant definition of tongues usually is that it is the tongue of the angels, the language of the angels… If that sort of tongue is what they are actually using… I’m pretty sure that ‘fallen angels’ will be well aware of how to speak their own native language.

 

[grannymh]

What the heck is THAT supposed to mean? Correct me if I’m wrong…but “speaking in tongues” is a miraculous phenomenon by which everyone around you, no matter what language they speak, can understand exactly what you are saying. This happened to the apostles in the New Testament (Acts of the Apostles?), when everyone nearby heard the apostles preaching to them in their own native language, no matter what it was.

My dear friend, masterjedi747,

So good to see you. It is now my turn to be an expert – in “tongues.”

What you are referring to is Acts 2; 5-12. This miracle is also called the miracle of hearing because people heard the Galileans speak in their native language. It is a one-time miracle which is not connected to the gifts of the Holy Spirit referred to by St. Paul.

The difficulty with the English language is that the two distinct gifts of tongues are translated as “speaking’”. The OP is right in that we can pray to God in the gift of prayer tongues. This gift is meant for the spiritual growth of the individual. It is known as a common gift because it can be received by everyone.

The second gift is “speaking in tongues” in which a person relates a “message” from God to the community. The solemnity of this gift requires a person who has the gift of interpretation. The gifts of speaking and interpreting God’s message, which is meant to build up the Church, are part of the nine classical gifts listed by St. Paul. These can be seen as a “ministry” to the community; hence there is a period of both discernment and preparation.

Blessings,
granny

“The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be?”
From the poem “Christmas” by George Herbert

 

[grannymh]

Since the protestant definition of tongues usually is that it is the tongue of the angels, the language of the angels… If that sort of tongue is what they are actually using… I’m pretty sure that ‘fallen angels’ will be well aware of how to speak their own native language.

I am familiar with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. While there can be similarities between Catholicism and Protestantism, there are important differences.

The description “tongue of the angels” is more poetic than factual.

The practice of praying in tongues means that the person yields his tongue, lips and normal speaking apparatus directly to the Holy Spirit. In turn the Holy Spirit forms sounds which the person uses in prayer to God. It is as if we are saying – Holy Spirit, You know how to make my poor prayer perfect. Please take over.

 

[Jeabriz]

Demons can make fake tongues. You could be oppressed by one. Read some stuff about it here:
catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/currenterrors/pentcsl.htm
catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/currenterrors/Charism.htm
youtube.com/watch?v=Bc8qKjocq4I

My recommendation:
Go to a chapel and do some adoration. Demons don’t like the presence of Jesus so if it is one it could stop if you start doing that often.

Holy Water is blessed by the priest for protection from evil so go scoop time bottles of that. Cruxifixes are also great. Get one and put them places.

Pray the Rosary.

 

[Jeabriz]

I am familiar with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. While there can be similarities between Catholicism and Protestantism, there are important differences.

The description “tongue of the angels” is more poetic than factual.

The practice of praying in tongues means that the person yields his tongue, lips and normal speaking apparatus directly to the Holy Spirit. In turn the Holy Spirit forms sounds which the person uses in prayer to God. It is as if we are saying – Holy Spirit, You know how to make my poor prayer perfect. Please take over.

Why would you pray without having any idea what you are saying? How could you or for that matter anyone else say Amen (I believe/agree) when it’s in a language that I can’t understand?

 

[ChibiViolet]

Angels don’t have their own special language or mouths for that matter, but they know every human language.

Thank you for the advice Jeabriz. I actually go to Eucharistic adoration every week and to Mass every day. I don’t get the urge to speak in tounges too much anymore. It’s not someting I do on a regular basis–at least not if I’m in my right mind. When I do it, it’s usually very brief and done without a thought. It used to be that I would get very strong urges to do so and if I didn’t finally give into them after a period of a week or so, I would feel sick so I would finally give in to feel better. Still, I’ve asked God to make the ability go away if it’s not coming from Him (and I know it’s not coming from Him.)

Well, techniquely speaking, there have been times when I thought the ureges to speak in tougnes were coming from God and used it to “praise” Him…the last time that happened, I was in church alone praying before the tabernacle…

What did you mean by “fake tounges?” I thought all that “speaking in tougnes” meant was the ability to speak in a language you don’t know.

 

[Jeabriz]

By fake tongues I just meant that demons can make sounds that can seem like tongues but aren’t a gift from the Holy Spirit. When I said fake tongues I just meant not from the Holy Spirit but from demons. It’s another language but it’s probably blasphemy in the language and not from God.

The first symptom of demon possession listed in the official Rite of Exorcism Congregation of Sacred Rites, Philip T. Weller,trans., The Roman Ritua (25 January 1952), with additions from have been published in* Acta Apostolicae Sedis* and in Ephemerides Liturgicae and in the Instruction (26 September 1964), completed ed. (n.p.: Bruce Company, 1964), Part XIII, chap. 1 no 3 ] is speaking in tongues. Tongues can be imitated/faked by Satan easily. Not all people who speak in tongues are possessed but they can be. It’s rare though for Catholics.

Signs of possession may be the following: ability to speak with some facility in a strange tongue or to understand it when spoken by another; the faculty of divulging future and hidden events; display of powers which are beyond the subject’s age and natural condition; and various other indications which, when taken together as a whole, build up the evidence. (from Official Rite of Exorcism)

I doubt it’s so bad that you’re that the level of possessed though. It’s so rare.

When I think of tongues I think of it being called a gift from the Holy Spirit so if it doesn’t meet that requirement I’d just call it that long name: words you don’t know coming out of your mouth by the influence of a demon that usually are blasphemous and if someone is very multi-lingual and heard you they’d be disgusted and appalled that it is coming from your mouth.

 

[Church_Militant]

I was discussing prayer with a protestant i know. He told me that he prays to God through tongues becuase Satan can’t intercede or mess up the prayer that way. I was just curious if they can speak in tongues. To my knowledge, Angels have perfect knowledge and that isn’t taken away from them until the day of judgement. Of course i could be wrong about this. Also, he says that tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit and thats why Satan can not intervene in tongues, but to my knowledge, wasnt tongues given to followers of Christ in order to teach those of other languages, not to pray to God?

That’s incorrect, since St. Paul tells us not to believe every spirit, but to test them to see if they are from God. I suggest that you check out 1st Corinthians chapters 12-14 for specifics relating to this charism.

 

[grannymh]

Why would you pray without having any idea what you are saying? How could you or for that matter anyone else say Amen (I believe/agree) when it’s in a language that I can’t understand?

Are you referring to when a person is praying to God?

What is it like to be at the scene of a car accident so terrible that it is beyond words, yet you “pray” to God?

How does it feel to be humble in prayer?

Are tears a form of letting God know our deepest feelings?

There is no need for anyone to answer these questions.
All of us know that there are times when our prayers are very personal between God and ourself. Some of us have had the experience when our own prayers seem so meager that all we can do is to trust in God.

The Holy Spirit’s gift of prayer tongues is an extra gift that helps us pray to God --not so that other people can listen in. The gift of prayer tongues removes the distractions to prayer by helping us to focus on God exclusively.

Catholics are taught to be humble before God, to let go of our pride. When we yield our prayer time to the Holy Spirit, we let go of our pride in our words we say to God.

Of course, we know why we are praying to God in prayer tongues. With prayer tongues, we put our trust in God knowing the depth of our soul.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Thank you for the clarification. I understand what I have is no gift, but it’s just easier to call it “speaking in tounges” than any other name. I’m not even positive it’s coming from demons. I could just be very mildly insane. I’m aware I’m not possessed and know what all the symptoms of that are. However, I do highly suspect this is the work of demons and am typically careful not to “speak in tounges” in front of people, athough like I said, I will do it most often in very brief spurts without a thought about it beforehand, perhaps sometimes without even knowing I’m doing it. I say that because sometimes a freind or my younger brother will say something about my saying “nonsense” words when I don’t remember saying them.

Actually, now that I’ve really started to fight the urges to “speak in tounges,” I’m getting the urge to do so more often than ever and it is a struggle not to give in.

 

[grannymh]

Thank you for the clarification. I understand what I have is no gift, but it’s just easier to call it “speaking in tounges” than any other name. I’m not even positive it’s coming from demons. I could just be very mildly insane. I’m aware I’m not possessed and know what all the symptoms of that are. However, I do highly suspect this is the work of demons and am typically careful not to “speak in tounges” in front of people, athough like I said, I will do it most often in very brief spurts without a thought about it beforehand, perhaps sometimes without even knowing I’m doing it. I say that because sometimes a freind or my younger brother will say something about my saying “nonsense” words when I don’t remember saying them.

Please do not name what you are doing as speaking in tongues. That would be a serious error because it would lead to confusion about the real gift.

ChibiViolet:

Actually, now that I’ve really started to fight the urges to “speak in tounges,” I’m getting the urge to do so more often than ever and it is a struggle not to give in.

This is totally opposite to the true gift of the Holy Spirit. Please use prayers in English at these times.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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