Speaking in tongues: genuine charism or silly gibberish?

[guanophore]

I had a childhood friend whose family was very charismatic Pentecostals. She (13-14 at the time) didn’t speak in tongues at the time, but the rest of her family, other than her younger brother did. She had told me that she wasn’t old enough yet (or something along those lines). That right there threw up red flags. How can an age limit be put on a gift supposedly given by the Holy Spirit?

This is absolutely true. My godmother was teaching her first communion class of seventh graders to ask that they be filled with the Spirit, and the whole class broke out in tongues. “Out of the mouths of babes Thou has brought forth praise”.

 

[guanophore]

One time when I was recuperating from back surgery I was alone
and felt really badly. I lay on a couch and looked out a very
beautiful window at birds hopping around in a tree. I started to
sing to myself, but then I found myself speaking these words that seemed to me to be an ancient language. I was very puzzled by it
On speaking to my sister several years afterwards, this only
happend once, she said I was speaking in tongues. She said
there are those who speak in tongues and there are those that
interpret in tongues. I felt very special that I had been given this
gift, but I did not pursue it. She also told me that I was not supposed to speak it when I was alone if it ever happened again.
I did try it again and it just seemed to flow out of me. I have not
thought about it much but wanted to tell my story.

There is nothing wrong with praying this way when you are alone. The Spirit speaks mysteries to God. Let it flow!

1 Cor 14:5
" Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues…"

1 Thess 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.”

 

[jcrichton]

I had a childhood friend whose family was very charismatic Pentecostals. She (13-14 at the time) didn’t speak in tongues at the time, but the rest of her family, other than her younger brother did. She had told me that she wasn’t old enough yet (or something along those lines). That right there threw up red flags. How can an age limit be put on a gift supposedly given by the Holy Spirit?

Exactly!

…it is the Holy Spirit Who determines what, when, who, and why the Gifts are given. The only option we have is to accept His Divine Selection or to shun the Call!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

I am a Catholic and have been praying in tongues for thirty seven years, receiving this gift in the early Charismatic renewal days. I would certainly not pray in this way for this many years if it was gibberish! I have been blessed beyond measure and would feel like my prayer life is totally lacking without praising God in this way! Please do not judge God’s gifts unless you personally have first hand knowledge of it, for that would be rejecting what God has for you and borders on blasphemy!

Hi, Viola!

I do not doubt that the Holy Spirit can impart the Gift of tongues or that there are those who have receive this particular Gift… what I, as well as others, say is that this particular Gift is given to benefit the individual and the Church but that there is a prescribed order on how and why…

Can the Holy Spirit chose anyone? Yes.

Would the Holy Spirit chose an entire body of Believers during a single manifestation where all automatically speak in strange tongues? Not according to St. Paul.

Could some be deceiving themselves thinking that they are speaking in tongues when in fact they are caught up in moment? Very posible.

Could some be deceiving the Church by pretending to have acquired a “higher” spiritual plane? Very likely.

No one is suggesting that we can determine what God should or should not do… however, it is quite evident that those who claim the Gift of tongues do infer that they can summon the Holy Spirit at will (see above example where a pastor/spiritual director commanded those gathered to speak in tongues and they acquiesced in unison!); there used to be a similar situation with the passage where Jesus tells His disciples that one sign of their unity with Christ would be that vipers/snakes would not harm them… that Gift too was exploited at a time.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[cazayoux]

Of particular note, the greatest Pentecostal revival in the history of the Catholic Church (up until now, of course) began in a little tiny town in Italy called Assisi by a little man known as “il Poverello d’Assisi” (the little poor man of Assisi) whom we all know as Saint Francis.

Want to fall in love?

Read “Little Flowers of St. Francis.”

Chris … personally, would you feel more fulfilled spending an hour speaking tongues … or in front of the blessed sacrament?

michel

 

[guanophore]

Right…the gift of tongues was given to the apostles so that they could go out into the world to preach to others in their own languages. It was not given to them just to make them feel good or make them feel special.

There are many varieties of gifts. One of them was given for preaching.

I agree, it is not given to “make them feel good or special”. It is given to individuals to strengthen their spirit.

1 Cor 14:4
" Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves"

This private prayer language is not used for preaching, nor is it used to communicate within a gathering of believers.

1 Cor 14:1-3
2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit.

This is the variety of tongues that Terese wrote about in her diaries.

The idea that one gets the “gift” in a language that nobody understands promotes the idea that the “gift” is personal and is not meant to be shared. This smacks of “Jesus-and-me” Protestantism.

I don’t see how the two are related. The fact that God gives a weaker Christian extra help to build themselves up in the Spirit, and that nobody understands them (indicating it is not to be used around others) can do nothing but strengthen a private prayer life. this does not mean that it is just “Jesus and me”. It just means that not all forms of this gift are meant to be used in a communal setting. Don’t you think it is important for every person to have a strong personal devotional life? How is that "protestant’?

Everyone wants to feel special and think that they have an inside line to God, and babbling away with unintelligible noises is a way to do that.

I agree that God created all of us with a need to feel special, and have an inside line to Himself. He created us with a hole in our hearts that only He can fill. Praying in tongues does facilitate that, which is why He gives us that gift.

Some people have a stronger faith, sense of personal intimacy with God, and they don’t need to be built up in this way. Personally, I can testify that I was not one of those people.

 

[Chris_Patterson]

1 Cor 14:1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. **2For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.**b] 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[c] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,[d] unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

The last three Popes have been very open and encouraging of the Charismatic Renewal, tongues included. those tongues aren’t just speaking in another language, and they are for today.

 

[jcrichton]

I speak in tongues. It is NOT a human language. It IS my prayer language. And it is a tremendous blessing and joy. It is also available to any believer who wants it. Scripture makes that abundantly clear. Check it out.

Hi, Shon!

I do not doubt what you are saying about your personal experience; however, the only passages that speak on the technicality of speaking in tongues are found in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14–St. Paul is very succinct on the source (manisfestation) of the Gifts: the Holy Spirit… so it is not up to us to call upon Him for a Gift but rather it is He, the Holy Spirit, who determines the Gifts that will be shed upon the Believers.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Acts Chapter 10 Cornelius the Centurion, specifically Verse 44: “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon ‘ALL’ those who were listening to the message.”

Who was “ALL” ? Certainly, Cornelius, but also we see in verse 24 of that same chapter: Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together ‘HIS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.’ Plural and Uncircumcized Gentiles at that!

Do you want the gift? Simply pray and ask our heavenly Father in Jesus Holy Name to send you the Holy Spirit and be bold enough to believe that you have already received what you have asked for and just begin to praise God out loud, and continue to praise his Holy Name, and he will give you the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Hi, Chris Dickson!

I agree with you that the Holy Spirit can impart the Gift of tongues… but you are amiss when you suggest that just praying for it and believing is all that it takes… if you notice the passage, it speaks of those who were Gentiles receiving the Gift of speaking in tongues… this was a sign for Peter and the other disciples so that they could undestand that Yahweh God was calling the Gentiles as well as the Jews into His Kingdom. The people themselves did not detemine that they should speak in tongues… rather, it was a sign that the Holy Spirit gave the Believing Jews so that they would accept these otherwise-dispised-people into that One Fold that Jesus spoke about!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jean8]

This is exactly the point, it should be for the benefit of the church, not the individual.
What is the need for a Charismatic Community to speak in tongues when everyone in attendance understands English?

michel

michel,
Pentecostal churches have this type of prayer service every week. It’s done according to scripture. Usually.
See Acts 2;1-13 As you can see, actual languages were spoken. Today people speak Glossolalia. Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6.
The gift of was tongues was accompanied with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The gift was first given to the Jews, then
Gentiles and In Acts 19 Other disciples believed and were baptized . Paul laid hands on them and they received the gift also.
If you recall Jesus promised he would send the Holy Spirit. Jn.14:16-17 All christian receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of faith.

God bless,
jean8

PS. 1Cor.12:30 tells us not all christians speak in tongues. Don’t let anyone tell you your not saved if you don’t. Oneness Pentecostals teach this heretical teaching.

 

[antonabe]

Even among members of the breakaway Fundamatalists there is boast of speaking tongues and they mumble what appears to me as gibberish and I believe it to be so.My understanding of apeaking tongues is that if I speak in one language for example ,English, and if ten or more foreigners who do not understand English are present in the audience and if all of them understand me then I have the gift of tongues.Of course this is my point of view

 

[2carryon]

Thank you 'guanophore ’ for your reply. That reply touched my
heart. It’s good to know the Spirit was with me that day so long
ago and that he is with me now.

 

[CHRIS_DICKSON]

Chris … personally, would you feel more fulfilled spending an hour speaking tongues … or in front of the blessed sacrament?

michel

Very good question. In front of the Blessed Sacrament, obviously.

I can pray in the Spirit at any time; driving down the road, mowing the lawn, before the Blessed Sacrament, etc…, but I can’t always be before the Exposition (although I have a live feed of it loaded on my website.)

 

[Lepanto]

I can pray in the Spirit at any time; driving down the road, mowing the lawn, before the Blessed Sacrament, etc…

You mean you can turn the Holy Spirit on and off and speak in tongues at will? Like a light switch?

 

[CHRIS_DICKSON]

Hi, Chris Dickson!

I agree with you that the Holy Spirit can impart the Gift of tongues… but you are amiss when you suggest that just praying for it and believing is all that it takes… if you notice the passage, it speaks of those who were Gentiles receiving the Gift of speaking in tongues… this was a sign for Peter and the other disciples so that they could undestand that Yahweh God was calling the Gentiles as well as the Jews into His Kingdom. The people themselves did not detemine that they should speak in tongues… rather, it was a sign that the Holy Spirit gave the Believing Jews so that they would accept these otherwise-dispised-people into that One Fold that Jesus spoke about!

Maran atha!

Angel

I totally agree with you that it was a sign for the Peter and the Jews but also for the Cornelius and the Gentiles (ie: for everyone.) But please, I think St. Francis had a good handle on this when he said “If you do not have book-learning, do not be eager to acquire it, but pursue instead what you should desire above all else, namely, to have the Spirit of the Lord and his grace working in you, to pray always with purity of heart and to have humility, patience in persectuion and in infirmity, and to love those who persecute and rebuke and slander you…” Rule of 1223, Chapter X.

The reason I say this is that all too often we allow ourselves to be caught up in our heads rather than our hearts, and I think that’s why we venerate the “Sacred Heart of Christ,” and not the “Sacred Head of Christ.”

 

[CHRIS_DICKSON]

You mean you can turn the Holy Spirit on and off and speak in tongues at will? Like a light switch?

For the most part, yes. He is always there, like an electrical outlet, but we have to be the one’s to plug ourselves in.

Sometimes, however, the Spirit will move before you know it. Now don’t laugh. But tonight I went outside on the front porch. As I walked outside I noticed the cat sitting on my chair. I casually went to speak to “Merl” and instead of Queens English, tongues appeared. I immediately stopped, looked around to see if anyone may have overheard me, and then laughed. I looked at it as God simply wanted to plant a kiss on the top of my head.

 

[CHRIS_DICKSON]

“The preacher must first draw from secret prayers what he will later pour out in holy sermons; he must first grow hot within before he speaks words that are in themselves cold.”

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXIII - 164

 

[Bill_Cherry]

Y’know.This may sound pretty fantastic ya’ll,but,…

About 20 yrs ago,I met a guy who was suffering from severe headaches.He said that the doctor he went to couldn’t explain it and gave him some tylenols or something.
He claimed to be a Christian.So,in jest I put my hand on his shoulder and babbled “in tounges”(I hope that’s not a sin against the Holy Spirit).

He sneezed…

and out came a long thick strand of snot,which contained a very large mass of coagulated blood.

He said he felt much better.

I can’t make this stuff up.

Perhaps his faith made him whole.
I was just joking around.

 

[CHRIS_DICKSON]

Because tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it’s interesting to note that it is the only language spoken in the world that contains no words in which to curse our loving God.

What is more difficult to believe? That the Holy Spirit came to earth and impregnated a virgin who then gave birth to the Savior of the World, or that the priest can say a few words on the altar and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, or that God can send us a Comforter?

"Let humanity kneel in fear, let the whole universe tremble, and let heaven rejoice when Christ the Son of the Living God is on the altar in the hands of the priest!"
Saint Francis of Assisi
“Letter to the Whole Order”

 

[guanophore]

You mean you can turn the Holy Spirit on and off and speak in tongues at will? Like a light switch?

It is very much like a light switch. However, I would not characterize it as “turn the HS on and off”. What we are turning is ourselves. The HS dwells within us always when we are in a state of grace. It is our decision moment to moment to be aware of His presence, to avoid quenching the Spirit, and whether or not we are willing to exercise the exhortation of the Apostle that we should “pray at all times”.

Ideally we should pass through this world constantly in this state of prayer, being aware of what the Spirit wants to do through us in every circumstance. Yet, it is ourselves that we conform to a life of prayerfulness, not the Spirit.