Speaking in tongues: genuine charism or silly gibberish?

[Chris_Patterson]

I know the general bibilical teaching is that personal tongues should be prayed privately. But check out this U-Tube clip on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. In it you will see a segment where John Paul II is speaking to a large group of CCR folks. During a portion of that time, as an a expression of personal yet corporate worship, all start praying in tongues. Far from admonishing them for praying without interpretation, John Paul II seems truly blessed by what is going on. Even though we don’t see the clip of the whole service (I’m not sure if it was a mass, but I don’t think so), John Paul II by his actions sure didn’t act as though 99.999% of those speaking in tongues that day were doing so with an unauthentic gift.

Here is the link"
youtube.com/watch?v=J-QDOcDGDWA

It would do well for everyone to google Catholic Charismatic and each of the last three Popes. You will various writings from each on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in which they are quite embracing of the movement. And, I have to tell you, that the movement has been at least partially characterized by the open use of tongues – both public and private, with and without interpretation. The main encouragements these popes give are: state true to the Church, don’t be divisive and keep “going after” the Holy Spirit (my paraphrase).

I’m not saying these popes are right all the time. And I’m not saying that we, without using discernment, should buy into every spiritual movement or idea that comes along. I am, however, saying that when three popes in a row endorse a movement that includes the free use of speaking in tongues, I think we should be a little more open to the charism than I have noticed some of us in this thread to be.

If anyone who speaks in tongues has acted more spiritual or more holy than any of you who don’t, I want to apologize on their behalf. That is error, divisive, and not in the spirit of the charism (or any charism). The essence of St. Paul’s teaching in 1 Cor 12-14 is that we all have gifts to build up the Body, yet those gifts are all really God’s gifts anyway. And, we can, and should, eagerly desire gifts – not to puff ourselves up, but to serve the Church. That means being open to anything and any gift God might want to give us – even a lesser gift that builds ourselves up – so that we can in tern be strong to build up the church.

Finally, it is interesting that 1 Cor 12 ends with verse 31: “Stirve eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts…” and 1 Cor 14 begins with verse 1 “Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts…” Those two verse sandwich the famous “love” chapter. I don’t think God used that order by accident. Our whole attitude towards any of the gifts – the ones we have, or the ones we don’t have – need to be that of love.

 

[jcrichton]

Jesus Christ said that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can move mountains so 0.1 % will be adequate.The Marian apparitions though not part of this thread,have been investigated by the Church and some of them have been approved and I firmly believe in these,particularly,Lourdes,Fatima etc.Are we clear in our minds what speaking of tongues actually is.Certainly the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God is capable of Spritual Resurrection in people who lack faith and can also enable persons to do and sometimes say things which cannot be explained in a rational way.The composition of the Song in The Passion by Denby as mentioned in this thread is a case in point.However when people come out with sounds which appear to be uninteligible or gibberish and if this language cannot be understood by those around him I cannot imagine that he has the gift of tongues. The gift of tongues is a gift to communicate with a wide spectrum of people of different languages,and it is also the ability to establish a line of communication with non believers and with power of the holy spirit instil in them Faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I cannot see how speaking in tongues would be a medium to communicate with non-believers, could you expand on that idea?

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

What if speaking in Biblical English comes in the same way as speaking in tongues, with a few foreign words thrown it, to boot?

What do you do when it has all been written down 400 times and is really quite beautiful?

Where do you go with this literature?

I am a much more technical writer, interview alot, and am used to listening. But this voice over the last 16 years comes in when I am writing something else, makes me wake up and write down and “amen and so to bed”. Comforts me. Bawls me out. Has written a confirmation message, a baptism message, a wedding message, a passage message. And many a message on saving the soil and soul, at the same time, as well as on the nature of happiness and how to cultivate it.

Where shall I go with this?

Thank you so much.

Saphien (also a drop down)

…when you say 400 times, is that as “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…?”

…if it is not a single repetitious thought, have you consider organizing the thoughts into themes and these into a book?

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

I know the general bibilical teaching is that personal tongues should be prayed privately. But check out this U-Tube clip on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. In it you will see a segment where John Paul II is speaking to a large group of CCR folks. During a portion of that time, as an a expression of personal yet corporate worship, all start praying in tongues. Far from admonishing them for praying without interpretation, John Paul II seems truly blessed by what is going on. Even though we don’t see the clip of the whole service (I’m not sure if it was a mass, but I don’t think so), John Paul II by his actions sure didn’t act as though 99.999% of those speaking in tongues that day were doing so with an unauthentic gift.

Here is the link"
youtube.com/watch?v=J-QDOcDGDWA

It would do well for everyone to google Catholic Charismatic and each of the last three Popes. You will various writings from each on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in which they are quite embracing of the movement. And, I have to tell you, that the movement has been at least partially characterized by the open use of tongues – both public and private, with and without interpretation. The main encouragements these popes give are: state true to the Church, don’t be divisive and keep “going after” the Holy Spirit (my paraphrase).

I’m not saying these popes are right all the time. And I’m not saying that we, without using discernment, should buy into every spiritual movement or idea that comes along. I am, however, saying that when three popes in a row endorse a movement that includes the free use of speaking in tongues, I think we should be a little more open to the charism than I have noticed some of us in this thread to be.

I doubt that any Pope, outside of visible proof, would prohibit Catholics from worshiping. Even when there’s actual proof that there is a violation against the Faith the Vatican (the Pope and Bishops) do not resort to excommunication as the first measure against the perpetrators of the rebellion.

If anyone who speaks in tongues has acted more spiritual or more holy than any of you who don’t, I want to apologize on their behalf. That is error, divisive, and not in the spirit of the charism (or any charism). The essence of St. Paul’s teaching in 1 Cor 12-14 is that we all have gifts to build up the Body, yet those gifts are all really God’s gifts anyway. And, we can, and should, eagerly desire gifts – not to puff ourselves up, but to serve the Church. That means being open to anything and any gift God might want to give us – even a lesser gift that builds ourselves up – so that we can in tern be strong to build up the church.

Finally, it is interesting that 1 Cor 12 ends with verse 31: “Stirve eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts…” and 1 Cor 14 begins with verse 1 “Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts…” Those two verse sandwich the famous “love” chapter. I don’t think God used that order by accident. Our whole attitude towards any of the gifts – the ones we have, or the ones we don’t have – need to be that of love.

Love should be the rule for all Christians… sadly, there are times when the manifestations of the Gifts are translated into “higher” spirituality which, at times, is translated into “better than…”

My personal experience with the Gift of tongues has been negative as I had been compeled to speak in tongues, informed that I was not spiritually mature, told that I lacked Faith; I also witnessed how some behaved as though they had a direct link to God and were above all others, including the parish’s Pastor…

Further, I am a believer that any Gift given by the Holy Spirit must translate into spritual growth and maturity for both the individual and the parish he/she attends–this means that that “Love” that you mention must be evident not just in the inner circles but overflowing onto the parish’s community and society at large. We are called to change the world through humble obedience to Christ and in His Love and Peace.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Chris_Patterson]

I’m with you, Angel. Sorry you had bad experiences with folks who acted superior to you, or who said you didn’t have faith. Please don’t judge the gift or others who speak in tongues by folks who were acting foolishly. Those folks are the very folks who St. Paul “spanked” in 1 Corinthians. I wasn’t kidding when I apologized for those (including myself at times) who have given off that type of attitude.

I will say that when I have done some of that myself – more out of excitement over gifts than anything else. No excuse, I know. But I’ve also had folks who at first were resentful whenever I have taught on this stuff. Later, as they got to know me, and perhaps, as they experienced some of the charismatic gifts themselves, they apologized to me. A lot of misunderstanding falls by the wayside when folks get to know each other’s hearts.

The whole purpose of and motivation for using ANY of the gifts is love and service. If we are missing that, we are missing it all.

My point in mentioning the recent popes and giving the U-Tube link was that, far from prohibiting charismatic forms of worship, these popes endorsed them. If you look at John Paul II on the U-Tube segment, you will see a man who is truly being blessed while the group is corporately speaking in tongues. He is certainly doing more than “not prohibiting” the form of worship.

 

[uther]

Finally, it is interesting that 1 Cor 12 ends with verse 31: “Stirve eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts…” and 1 Cor 14 begins with verse 1 “Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts…” Those two verse sandwich the famous “love” chapter. I don’t think God used that order by accident. Our whole attitude towards any of the gifts – the ones we have, or the ones we don’t have – need to be that of love.

Absolutely. Well said. And I think that we need to step back and look at the entire context of the Corinthian Church and the problems they were having;

Chapter 1:11 *For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. *

This is not uncommon in charismatic groups among Evangelicals, when the situation loses all sense of order. And without an ecclesial structure and authority as we have, very often literal divisions occur.

I am not sure why, but it seems that the divisions often occur around the use of tongues, and most often because it is used as a standard of measure of spirituality. Sometimes, but not always explicitly, and quite often implicitly and by inference.

That is what was going on in the Corinthian Church, and once a group or Church starts down that path, all kinds of error about the gifts crop up, and the greatest of these, I think, is getting stalled at that point, as the end or destination itself.

If there is one theme that overarches St. Paul’s discussion of tongues is that he wants them to move on. He says it in different ways, even suggesting that they are being childish, at least in their attitude toward and their practice of that gift. He is prodding them, saying that there are better things ahead, let’s not get stuck here.

If anyone inside or outside the Charismatic Renewal wants to assess this, the things to look for are whether it feels necessary to leave the movement to move on spiritually, and some have said this; and whether it seems that for the most part that tongues is the gateway into the movement. That is, is it “taught”, encouraged, attempted by repetition of sounds and syllables, or sought after repeatedly. These kinds of things tend to show just how high a premium is placed on that gift.

That is why those rules of order were so necessary and effective. It forced the Corinthians to look beyond the tongues to the bigger picture, to grow. It is a lesson all of us can take to heart, myself most of all. Any kind of deep spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit can be a stopping point for too long. It need not be a charismatic manifestation. But in our weakness, we can tend to want to re-experience the same thing over and over, as though that were to be the high water mark of our entire spiritual life. Sometimes we need that for awhile, but there comes a time when Christ is holding out his hand and saying, come, I have so much more to show you.

Having said all that, I would add that if it ever should happen that I was in need of one or more persons to help with some specific spiritual task or mission, I think the first place I would look is among the Catholic charismatics.

 

[antonabe]

I cannot see how speaking in tongues would be a medium to communicate with non-believers, could you expand on that idea?

Maran atha!

Angel

Speaking in tongues in my opinion is reaching out to individuals in the language best understood by them.The inspiration of the Holy Spirit can also stimulate the person speaking in tongues to say the right thing to the unbeliever to convince him of our faith.Besides speaking in Human languages in my mind speaking in tongues goes a step further and with the help of the Holy Spirit could establish a degree of resonance with the thinking of that of the nonbeliever

 

[jean8]

Speaking in tongues in my opinion is reaching out to individuals in the language best understood by them.The inspiration of the Holy Spirit can also stimulate the person speaking in tongues to say the right thing to the unbeliever to convince him of our faith.Besides speaking in Human languages in my mind speaking in tongues goes a step further and with the help of the Holy Spirit could establish a degree of resonance with the thinking of that of the nonbeliever

Has anyone heard of Ralph Martin? He appeared on EWTN ‘Journey Home’’ and spoke of the Cursillo Movement which includes speaking in tongues. Yes, he is a Cathoilc.
Acts 14 will tell you all about the gift of tongues. 1Cor,12:30 mentions, not all folks are given this gift.
1Cor.12:11 teaches, the Holy Spirit gives to each person as he determines, Speaking in tongues is not gibberish, it is a gift from God. Read also Acts 2:1-13 Real languages spoken here. Acts 10:44, 19:6
Today almost all speak 'glossolia.

God bless,
jean8

 

[jean8]

I cannot see how speaking in tongues would be a medium to communicate with non-believers, could you expand on that idea?

Maran atha!

Angel

Most people are curious about this gift. Pentecostals especially, use this to draw new members and it works.
They are praying to the Lord. this form of praying isn’t used for the benefit of others ,but to the Lord.

God bless,
jean8

 

[OldeThom]

Huge thread! I have not gone through every post, but a fair amount. Part of my protestant background was in churches where the “practice” was evidenced and in some cases even encouraged or necessary.

There is a good commentary on this issue at scripturecatholic.com/tongues.html which may prove useful. As many have pointed out in this thread the speaking of tongues must be understood completely within the guidelines that Paul laid down to Corinthians. I am afraid all too often, I witnessed the gift being “used as a show” of piety, supremacy or extreme emotionalism, rather than the result of inspiration by the Holy Spirit.

However, I did witness on one occasion a situation that was almost assuredly genuine. Late in 1974 while in a small town in WA, I attended a Pentecostal service with a friend. The church building was very old and in need of many repairs. About half way through the service, a man arose and started to speak in a foreign tongue with outstretched arms and head lifted prayerfully to Heaven. Almost simultaneously a woman arose and started to interpret what he was saying. In short, she stated that the church would receive a new “church family” and that they would lead them to a new home. This she said through many repeated phrases like “Give thanks to God Almighty”. They did not know it at the time, but the following Tuesday the minister was diagnosed with cancer and was dying. Sure enough a few days after that, having inherited a sizable estate in the area, a family moved there which included a paster of that church denomination. That paster accepted the ministerial position in the church and my friend said they eventually built their new church on that estate.

For those folks, it was their Lourdes and just as doubted by many then and since. In my personal experience there are never any coincidences when it comes to God and the care for His children.

Respectfully,
Thom

 

[Mijoy2]

Huge thread! I have not gone through every post, but a fair amount. Part of my protestant background was in churches where the “practice” was evidenced and in some cases even encouraged or necessary.

There is a good commentary on this issue at scripturecatholic.com/tongues.html which may prove useful. As many have pointed out in this thread the speaking of tongues must be understood completely within the guidelines that Paul laid down to Corinthians. I am afraid all too often, I witnessed the gift being “used as a show” of piety, supremacy or extreme emotionalism, rather than the result of inspiration by the Holy Spirit.

However, I did witness on one occasion a situation that was almost assuredly genuine. Late in 1974 while in a small town in WA, I attended a Pentecostal service with a friend. The church building was very old and in need of many repairs. About half way through the service, a man arose and started to speak in a foreign tongue with outstretched arms and head lifted prayerfully to Heaven. Almost simultaneously a woman arose and started to interpret what he was saying. In short, she stated that the church would receive a new “church family” and that they would lead them to a new home. This she said through many repeated phrases like “Give thanks to God Almighty”. They did not know it at the time, but the following Tuesday the minister was diagnosed with cancer and was dying. Sure enough a few days after that, having inherited a sizable estate in the area, a family moved there which included a paster of that church denomination. That paster accepted the ministerial position in the church and my friend said they eventually built their new church on that estate.

For those folks, it was their Lourdes and just as doubted by many then and since. In my personal experience there are never any coincidences when it comes to God and the care for His children.

Respectfully,
Thom

Isn’t this in contradition of the “Church”? Assuming the “speaking in”, and “interpretation of” was a genuine action of the Holy Spirit working through these people, then it follows that the Holy Spirit was endorsing this communuities “new church family” as the Church of Christ. Which is and can only be, the Catholic Church.

 

[East_Anglican]

Recently I was praying with somebody who is not yet a Christian and this demon started manifesting. I carried on praying and then suddenly Streight from my guts I started praying in tounges… The thing stoped manifesting instantly and the person i was praying for asked me what it meant and stuff.

 

[Viola]

I suggest that anyone interested in tongues and doesn’t have his/her prayer language should read Luke 11:13 “If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” My experience is that I asked my heavenly Father to baptize me in the Holy Spirit and he did. The gifts followed. I do not feel proud, or boastful but humbled by this magnificent gift of the Holy Spirit. All who ask will receive, for our Father in Heaven loves to shower his children with good, just as I love to give my children good things. Do not doubt what God has given you, but believe the scriptures.

 

[jcrichton]

I’m with you, Angel. Sorry you had bad experiences with folks who acted superior to you, or who said you didn’t have faith. Please don’t judge the gift or others who speak in tongues by folks who were acting foolishly. Those folks are the very folks who St. Paul “spanked” in 1 Corinthians. I wasn’t kidding when I apologized for those (including myself at times) who have given off that type of attitude.

I will say that when I have done some of that myself – more out of excitement over gifts than anything else. No excuse, I know. But I’ve also had folks who at first were resentful whenever I have taught on this stuff. Later, as they got to know me, and perhaps, as they experienced some of the charismatic gifts themselves, they apologized to me. A lot of misunderstanding falls by the wayside when folks get to know each other’s hearts.

The whole purpose of and motivation for using ANY of the gifts is love and service. If we are missing that, we are missing it all.

My point in mentioning the recent popes and giving the U-Tube link was that, far from prohibiting charismatic forms of worship, these popes endorsed them. If you look at John Paul II on the U-Tube segment, you will see a man who is truly being blessed while the group is corporately speaking in tongues. He is certainly doing more than “not prohibiting” the form of worship.

Hi, Christ Patterson!

I can understand what you are saying… I liken that excitement to mine when I discover something in the Holy Scriptures and I notice that others don’t seem to even grasp a semblence of it… I think that the difference is that I simply wonder why they cannot see what I do; yet, I never use the knowledge as a club to attempt to convince others to study the Scriptures Faithfully or to open their hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit; I also do not consider myself more mature spiritually than they… even when I meet the incredulous… I simply pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten them… coincidentally, my experience has been both with Catholics and non-Catholics… again, I do not mean to state that there’s no Gift or that all who claim to have the Gift are disingenuous…

…oh, and the behavior was not just towards me; it was characteristically a behavior of pride not of humility–some sensitive ladies had tears running down their faces, others confided that they would leave the Church and seek God on their own… I can only equate their behavior as that of the Jehovah Witnesses (don’t know if you have had any experience with them): they are amity-ville-meets-village-of-the-damn once their theology is not accepted.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Speaking in tongues in my opinion is reaching out to individuals in the language best understood by them.The inspiration of the Holy Spirit can also stimulate the person speaking in tongues to say the right thing to the unbeliever to convince him of our faith.Besides speaking in Human languages in my mind speaking in tongues goes a step further and with the help of the Holy Spirit could establish a degree of resonance with the thinking of that of the nonbeliever

Your reasoning is sound… the problem I have with it is that the Holy Spirit is given to the Believer not the non-Believer; Jesus clearly stated that they, the disciples, would see Him again but that the world would not because the world did not believe and that the other Paraclete whom He would send from the Father would come and abide with the Believers and in the Believers but that the world could not see Him nor know Him because it did not Believe in Christ!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Most people are curious about this gift. Pentecostals especially, use this to draw new members and it works.
They are praying to the Lord. this form of praying isn’t used for the benefit of others ,but to the Lord.

God bless,
jean8

…I understand how this could seem as though the Gift of tongues is bringing in the new converts… however, the same can be said of those who use musical concerts or retreats… but is it curiosity or the Holy Spirit’s Charism that is drawing them in? Why would the Holy Spirit use the Charism in the non-Believer?

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Chris_Patterson]

…oh, and the behavior was not just towards me; it was characteristically a behavior of pride not of humility–some sensitive ladies had tears running down their faces, others confided that they would leave the Church and seek God on their own…

Did you mean these ladies were the ones who were insisting that others pray in tongues, or were the ones who being told to pray in tongues?

I also do not consider myself more mature spiritually than they… even when I meet the incredulous… I simply pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten them…

Also, although you don’t consider yourself more mature or more spiritual, when you pray for their enlightenment (even if that prayer is silent) they might pick up on that “vibe” and think you were considering yourself more spiritual. I think sometimes that same thing happens when someone who does speak in tongues runs into some who does not. The tongue-speaker may not in any way think he or she is more spiritual, but the other person may feel or assume that this is the tongue-speaker’s attitude. This can especially be true if the tongue-speaker believes the gift is available to everyone.

By the way, the jury is out with me on whether or not tongues is available for everyone. A reading of 1 Cor 12 would lead one to say “no.” And, I, in a non-pressure way, have prayed for people to be both filled with the Spirit and prayed for the gift of tongues over people, where neither have spoken in tongues. These people genuinely desired the gift, and I really didn’t think they did anything to block it. I know there are those who would say I am incorrect, and that the gift is available to all who ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, in the scripture sections relating to being filled with the Spirit, there are a variety of manifestations when one is filled, with some instances when tongues are not mentioned.

On the other hand, I think sometimes we do block ourselves from receiving gifts God has to offer because we have a preconceived prejudice about that particular gift. (Prophecy and tongues are two that come to mind). Many times I have heard people say, “I really wouldn’t want THAT gift.” I have a feeling *(just my theory) *that more would speak in tongues or prophesy if more were not prejudiced against those gifts. I want to guard my heart against that type of attitude. I want anything God desires to give me. He tells me to eagerly desire spirtual gifts, and I do eagerly desire them. He has given me a measure of some of the gifts at different times during my ministry. He has also declined to give me some gifts that I have asked for. That’s HIS business. He’s God! My business is to desire gifts I can use to express His love and to build up the Church, and to gratefully accept whatever graces Jesus gives me.

Angel, it sure has been fun talking to you about this. Thanks for breaking me in doing these forum things. I’m new to this! Actually, pretty new to the Catholic Church. I came into full communion August 4, 2007. It has been great!!!

 

[antonabe]

Your reasoning is sound… the problem I have with it is that the Holy Spirit is given to the Believer not the non-Believer; Jesus clearly stated that they, the disciples, would see Him again but that the world would not because the world did not believe and that the other Paraclete whom He would send from the Father would come and abide with the Believers and in the Believers but that the world could not see Him nor know Him because it did not Believe in Christ!

Maran atha!

Angel

I see your point but if you read Acts 32 - 42 it is interesting that just after the first Pentecost, Peter inspired by the Holy Spirit preached to a large group of peple of different origins,in fact when he addressed them he said fellow Jews and the residents of Jerusalem, and there would have been believers and non believers as it is said that over 3000 people were sdded to the Church that day arising from the preaching of Peter inspired by the Holy Spirit

 

[antonabe]

Some are blessed with Spiritual gifts,some are called to Holy orders, but not all are blessed this way and I would like to share with you this extract from Corinthians"1 Cor. 12,31.13,1-13.
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a
still more excellent way.
If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a
resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all
knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have
love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may
boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it
is not inflated,
it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not
quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things.
Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as
a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At
present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is
love.
This says it all

 

[guanophore]

Believer of what?

I know this is not what the other poster meant, but I think it is helpful in expereincing the spiritual gifts if one believes they exist. Of course, we can see that Cornelius knew nothing about the Charismatic gifts, but this did not prohibit him from receiving them.

I believe in God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I live my life to the best of my ability in accord with the Church’s teachings, and I partake in her sacramental system. I read scripture, I engage in public and private devotions, and I do good works…yet I’ve never even once come near to speaking in tongues. Does that make me a non-believer?

Certainly not!

Besdes, there is no way for you to know whether or not you may have come very close to speaking in tongues. Such a statement presumes that you know the mind of God at all times.

It sounds to me that the casualness with which some (not necessarily you, Viola) claim to be able to speak in tongues is ludicrous, if not downright blasphemous. It’s as if they are claiming a special inside connection to God, or like they are members of a special and exclusive club that not all are invited to. This special knowledge that some claim is pure Gnosticism, no doubt propagated by subtle undercurrents of Pentecostalism and New Age. Let’s face it: some people just have a need to feel special.

I agree that some of us do need help to feel special, and Scripture is clear that this gift in particular is for those who are weak in faith. However, there is nothing exclusive about it at all. Paul is clear that it is available to everyone.

1 Cor 14:5
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues…

Scripture is also clear that each of us receives all the gifts at baptism.

1 Cor 12:4-7
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

The Spirit, and all the gifts, are given at baptism. All of them are present to each as potentialities, but the manifestation of them is controlled by the Spirit. Therefore, if someone does not experience a certain gift, then it is possible that the person is not in need of it, or that it is not for the common good in that case. None of us can know this but theSpirit, , and they are apportioned according to His will, not ours.

1 Cor 12:11
" All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."

I would advise caution – the Holy Spirit is not a plaything to be treated casually. Approach with fear, awe, and trembling.

Excellent advice!

Any doubters should read the story of annanias and saphira!