Speaking in tongues?

[Humupower]

No, not at all.

Most people who are not charismatic don’t understand at least certain parts of what these kinds of spiritual gifts are, what they do, how they are to be used, etc (especially something like prophecy). And tongues is admittedly the “weirdest” spiritual thing most people ever encounter. I don’t know about many of them myself, because I have only experienced a handful of them, whereas some lists compiled from both the OT and NT list 30+ of them.

A lot of tongues, in my opinion, is about the experience of tongues. It’s like reading about contemplative prayer vs actually praying contemplatively. Hearing second hand about mystical union with God, versus feeling God’s presence, power, and love fill you intimately.

 

[ltwin]

What does it mean when people say they speak in tongues? I’m referring to non-Catholics, particularly protestants of the evangelical type, like those in megachurches. I’m intrigued at these claims. As for as I know, I think this claim has something to do with them believing in baptism by the Holy Spirit, etc. Are they actually able to speak multiple languages without having to learn them? Did they just wake up one morning only to find out that they can speak the world’s languages, even those long dead? Or are these people lying (or insane, depending on how you look at it)?

I have no doubt that this is indeed possible, like for the apostles during Pentecost. It just intrigues me how so many Christians boast of this “ability”. I seriously doubt if they’re genuine haha )

Pentecostals and charismatics believe that tongues can be either the language of men or of angels. We don’t really try to figure it out, we just yield our vocal chords. God can miraculously give someone a human language. You hear a lot of stories about this.

If you want to know a detailed description of this from a Pentecostal perspective, you can read this FAQ from the Assemblies of God (the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world): “Questions About Tongues”.

 

[ltwin]

It happened at Pentecost. St. Paul speaks of it happening on at least a couple of different occasions. So the phenomenon is obviously real. However, my suspicion is that the vast majority of the people “speaking in tongues” in these mega-churches and on youtube are simply babbling because they think they’re supposed to.

Not really. It’s not “babbling because they think they’re supposed to.” It’s more like you open your mouth and let what ever comes out comes out. I can’t really explain it. It’s like you’re trying to express something that is really inexpressible. There is so much of a feeling of praise and love that goes into it. We’re speaking mysteries, we have no idea what we are saying only that we’re either praying, praising, or giving thanks to God.

 

[ltwin]

I have seen this within the Catholic church.

In rare cases people make speak languages unknown to them, but this is much less common than speaking in an angelic language. This happened to the apostles on Pentacost. I know accounts of this happening among people whom I trust, but I have not experienced it personally.

Unless you have the gift of interpretation, you cannot understand what is being said when people speak in tongues - they themselves do not actually understand it, but it is generally accepted that it is holy praise of God. The holy spirit gives you the syllables even if you do not understand it.

I have only personally been able to do it a few times, but most others I know find it much easier. It is an experience of complete obedience to God - your human will completely submits to the power of the holy spirit, which can then do what it wishes. It is a deep spiritual experience - most often it is accompanied with a very strong feeling of God’s love for you.

I have not met anyone able to do it who was not previously “baptised in the spirit”.

Hearing large number of people speaking in tongues together is actually quite profound in my opinion. Everyone is murmuring something different, yet it sounds almost musical - it has a feeling of praise, and all the sounds seem to somehow harmonize.

I will admit, I was very skeptical at first, and it seemed quite weird to me. However, after being baptized in the spirit, I had words come into my mind - words pertaining to the sacred Heart of Jesus. They leapt from my mouth, I felt that I could not contain them - I felt as if I had to say them. I had never previously had any notion about the sacred heart, and I only vaguely knew about it. Actual tongues came much later from other spiritual experiences.

I think it might be possible for some people to “fake” speaking in tongues, but I have only personally been able to do it in highly spiritual states - I simply cannot do it unless I completely surrender all of my own volitions to God. I believe that it is a legitimate spiritual phenomenon. Many people I know have had visions while in such a state.

Wow. This is a really good description actually. There are people who do fake it. I mean it’s not hard to string some nonsense syllables together and try to fool someone. However, a faker might make some sounds out of his mouth but that is not the only thing that is happening when someone speaks in tongues. What is happening on the inside of a person is much more significant. Jude 1:20 says that when we pray in the Holy Spirit we build ourselves up in our most holy faith.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

Not really. It’s not “babbling because they think they’re supposed to.” It’s more like you open your mouth and let what ever comes out comes out. I can’t really explain it. It’s like you’re trying to express something that is really inexpressible. There is so much of a feeling of praise and love that goes into it. We’re speaking mysteries, we have no idea what we are saying only that we’re either praying, praising, or giving thanks to God.

All I know is what I’ve seen and read.

Based upon what I’ve seen I simply can’t think of anything that looks, sounds and seems to be quite as disrespectful, irreverent and downright sacrilegious as some of the things I’ve seen posted by devout Pentecostals on the web.

Based upon what I’ve read, linguists who have studied the utterances say they represent no known language or even pattern of sound that could be understood as language. They say that the glossolalia that they have studied to involves the same two or three sounds repeated over and over and over and over. They also say that the sound patterns vary depending on the native language and dialect of the speaker, and that speakers from the same congregations tend to sound alike. Go figure.

As to what you “feel”? People do and say many silly things based upon what they feel.

All of that having been said, I do believe that such things happen. So, what you have experienced may well be the genuine article.

Peace,

 

[ltwin]

All I know is what I’ve seen and read.

Based upon what I’ve seen I simply can’t think of anything that looks, sounds and seems to be quite as disrespectful, irreverent and downright sacrilegious as some of the things I’ve seen posted by devout Pentecostals on the web.

Based upon what I’ve read, linguists who have studied the utterances say they represent no known language or even pattern of sound that could be understood as language. They say that the glossolalia that they have studied to involves the same two or three sounds repeated over and over and over and over. They also say that the sound patterns vary depending on the native language and dialect of the speaker, and that speakers from the same congregations tend to sound alike. Go figure.

As to what you “feel”? People do and say many silly things based upon what they feel.

All of that having been said, I do believe that such things happen. So, what you have experienced may well be the genuine article.

Peace,

Well there are a lot of weird people out there. I can’t say what you’ve seen on the web that is so irreverent or sacrilegious. Some Pentecostals do tend to excess, other Christians are guilty of their own excesses, maybe not experiential or emotional ones, but excesses none the less. The presence of abuse or excesses does not mean that all instances of something is irreverent or sacrilegious.

Pentecostals might see a Catholic mass as somewhat irreverent or sacrilegious, but I’m sure Catholics disagree believing that they encounter God in the Mass. It is the same thing with Pentecostals. In what you might see as irreverent and sacrilegious, a Pentecostal believer might be encountering God.

No two Pentecostal churches are same. Some give people more freedom, others tend to stick closer to the guidelines Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 14.

Well, scientifically, Christ’s resurrection is an impossibility. I don’t base what I believe on science. We don’t put too much stock into what scientists say about the tongues, since we don’t claim that every instance of tongues is French, Spanish, ancient Egyptian, etc. And, in fact, I don’t base what I believe on what I feel either. I base it on the word of God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:2 that the person who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God. He goes on to say that " for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit." Their are a variety of tongues, not all of them are directed to people.

Peace to you as well.

 

[Legal_Eagle]

Well there are a lot of weird people out there.

True dat.

The presence of abuse or excesses does not mean that all instances of something is irreverent or sacrilegious.

Also true.

Pentecostals might see a Catholic mass as somewhat irreverent or sacrilegious, but I’m sure Catholics disagree believing that they encounter God in the Mass. It is the same thing with Pentecostals. In what you might see as irreverent and sacrilegious, a Pentecostal believer might be encountering God.

While it’s absolutely true that we tend to view things familiar to us as good, and those unfamiliar things as suspect, doesn’t there have to be some sort of objective standard of behavior that is considered acceptable and reverent? For example, the Greeks were big on temple prostitution as a form of worship. I dare say that no modern Christian (Pentecostal, Catholic or otherwise) would find such a practice to be acceptable. Also, doesn’t St. Paul say that these things (prophesy and tongues) must be “done properly and in order.”?

No two Pentecostal churches are same.

And isn’t that part of the overall problem? Basically, no one is in charge. If I go down to the local Assemblies of God church I might see one thing, if I go to First Pentecostal I might see another, if I go to my local Holiness church I’ll see something else. If I want to have a “church” in my back yard where we handle snakes and roll around naked, there’s no one to say to me, “Dude, your out of line.”

Well, scientifically, Christ’s resurrection is an impossibility. I don’t base what I believe on science.

Science also can’t account for the Virgin Birth, water into wine, transubstantiation and a whole host of other things.

We don’t put too much stock into what scientists say about the tongues, since we don’t claim that every instance of tongues is French, Spanish, ancient Egyptian, etc.

On the other hand, before a miracle (a cure for example) is to be be accepted by the Church and used for purposes of a Beatification or a Canonization that miracle is repeatedly examined by secular doctors and other scientists. If the docs can explain the “miracle” through normal scientific means then the “miracle” is not seen as genuine. Doesn’t it make sense that if people are going to be speaking in tongues as a regular and on going part of the worship service that at least some aspect of it ought to stand up to at least some scientific scrutiny? Of course, the same could be said of transubstantiation.

And, in fact, I don’t base what I believe on what I feel either. I base it on the word of God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:2 that the person who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God. He goes on to say that " for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit." Their are a variety of tongues, not all of them are directed to people.

Then how are we to know the babblers from the real deal?

Peace to you as well.

Peace,

 

[ltwin]

While it’s absolutely true that we tend to view things familiar to us as good, and those unfamiliar things as suspect, doesn’t there have to be some sort of objective standard of behavior that is considered acceptable and reverent? For example, the Greeks were big on temple prostitution as a form of worship. I dare say that no modern Christian (Pentecostal, Catholic or otherwise) would find such a practice to be acceptable.

It’s hard to answer that question. I’m not really sure what you are considering out of order. The use of tongues in public? or anything that might be considered a “Pentecostal worship practice” such as running the aisles, dancing in the Spirit, or shouting. Some Pentecostals are enthusiastic people. Their encounters with Jesus are dramatic. I don’t judge, simply for the fact that I have no idea what that person has been through, and what Jesus has brought them out of.

Also, doesn’t St. Paul say that these things (prophesy and tongues) must be “done properly and in order.”?

He says:

26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

The “spirit of prophets are subject to prophets” meaning any gift we have, we can control. Simply because you can speak in a tongue doesn’t mean you should.

However, I think because I am a lifelong Pentecostal I have a different idea of what order is. To me, it is not out of order to hear someone shout praises to God. Or to hear (during the congregational singing or corporate prayer) someone break off into a melody in tongues or a prayer in tongues as long as its not shouted out over the congregation as if they were instructing the entire congregation.

Some people read Paul and say “Paul says you must never speak in tongues unless it is interpreted.” I don’t see that when I read Paul. I see at least one ironclad exception: private prayer. But I also see the possibility to be in a public worship gathering and praying or singing in tongues to God - not to the rest of the congregation. This would be at a voice level that you could hear, but would not go over the rest of the congregation because you are not addressing the congregation.

And isn’t that part of the overall problem? Basically, no one is in charge. If I go down to the local Assemblies of God church I might see one thing, if I go to First Pentecostal I might see another, if I go to my local Holiness church I’ll see something else. If I want to have a “church” in my back yard where we handle snakes and roll around naked, there’s no one to say to me, “Dude, your out of line.”

No one is gonna roll around naked in a Pentecostal church!!! We might roll around, but definitely it will not be naked . Also, if it so happens that someone does show something (inappropriate) the churches have these long cloths they just throw on top of someone so nothing is shown. Its quite practical. As for the snakehandling churches, that is an aberration that originated in Appalachia. Most Pentecostals think they are crazy.

That is the problem, I don’t seek tongues as miraculous. I think its quite ordinary and Paul did as well in 1 Corinthians 14,

5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

39So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

[/QUOTE]

 

[FabiusMaximus]

I’m not all together grasping this. Why isn’t the Holy Spirit working through ALL the other Christians in this very way then? Doesn’t this make you wonder?

Can you prove this simply isn’t a learned behavior? I’ll admit I have viewed this only on the surface. But these questions come immediately to mind.

Peace

Actually, though not well known, other Christian denominations have reported this phenomenon. Additionally, the Catholic Church does not reject it. The Pope himself is fine with it.

Additionally, no it’s not a learned behavior. I was prayed over to receive it a good three times and I still have not received the gift. I didn’t “learn” anything.

God bless.

 

[ltwin]

Actually, though not well known, other Christian denominations have reported this phenomenon. Additionally, the Catholic Church does not reject it. The Pope himself is fine with it.

Additionally, no it’s not a learned behavior. I was prayed over to receive it a good three times and I still have not received the gift. I didn’t “learn” anything.

God bless.

You’re not alone. George O. Wood (the leader of the Assemblies of God USA) says that it took him 6 years to receive it. He also said he had the mistaken idea that you had to be unconscious to receive it and kept waiting to be made unconscious. He said it was a surprise when he began speaking in tongues and was fully conscious.

And of course there are the testimonies of those never even raised Pentecostal or attended Pentecostal churches. They were simply in their rooms praying and then they started speaking sounds and didn’t know what it was. I had a Southern Baptist girl tell me this happened to her. If you know anything about the SBC they aren’t exactly Pentecostal friendly.

 

[SteveVH]

Actually, speaking in tongues is one of the Catholic church’s best kept secrets. If you ask around your church, you will find a group of Catholics that call themselves Charismatics who speak in tongues today. The word charismatic I believe comes from the word charism which refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is actually one of the gifts or signs that the Holy Spirit is present and very much alive in a person. Speaking is tongues is not just for the Protestant but for the Catholic as well but unfortunately, only a few Catholics have discovered what it is to be a Charismatic and speak in tongues.

The Catholic church has many devotions that guide you along life’s journey. There are some who pray the rosary to the Blessed Mother, some who follow and pray to the saints, others who attend daily Mass, etc. Praying in tongues is nothing more than being filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus returned to heaven to reign with His father, he told his disciples He would send another, “The Comforter”, who would help the apostles in their journey. Jesus did not leave us alone even though he departed from this earth. He left us a vey powerful gift in the form of the Holy Spirit and it would serve many Catholics well to tap into that power.

Speaking in tongues is a God kind of language that most Charismatics or Protestants do not understand even as they speak it. The reason is because it is a language from the Holy Spirt (God) to God the Father Himself. Think of it like this. When you pray in your own language, you know what you’re saying and you have the knowledge of what you’re asking for. If you have ever been in desperate circumstances, you probably prayed from deep inside your heart. Maybe you didn’t say any words, but your heart expressed such sorrow that you felt it and knew it and knew that God would understand. I think speaking in tongues is similar to the cry of the heart because you don’t really understand what’s coming out, you just know that the Holy Spirit is working on your behalf and that God hears you.

Thanks for this post. I am Catholic and have been speaking in tongues for about nine years now. I have witnessed incredible things from the Holy Spirit; healings, deep conversions and deliverances. The Catholic Church is the original charismatic church and I couldn’t agree more that it would do us good to bring these gifts to the forefront in this day and age.

At the same time we should keep it in the proper perspective. Paul tells us that the gift of tongues is the least of the gifts and none of them are worth anything without love. I find that speaking in tongues is most useful during those times when life makes us look to heaven and we have no words. But I pray in tongues regularly, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit praying through me and therefore the perfect prayer is being offered to the Father.

Speaking in tongues can take the form of prayer or praise and worship and it is one of the highest forms of communication with God as I see it. As a Catholic, you can experience this gift too. If you are serious or curious enough, please find a Charismatic group in your church. Whether you speak in tongues or not, seek the Holy Spirit. He is waiting for an invitation into your heart. There he can begin helping you, inspiring you and guiding you along life’s journey. For you are not alone.

I would have to agree with Gary Taylor, however, in that mystical contemplation is probably the highest form of prayer. It is to gaze upon your beloved; no words, no thoughts, just the simplicity of union with God.

Thanks again for your post. We just got a new priest a month ago. He happens to be the Diocesan Director for Charismatic Renewal. We are very excited that he is here and look forward to his leadership in this area. The Catholic Church dropped the ball on this one a long time ago and it is slow in picking it back up again, but it is happening.

God bless.

God Bless

 

[ltwin]

SteveVH, do you feel that the Charismatic Renewal is supported by the Catholic Church? I’m just curious as to how accepted it is, as I have encountered some Catholics on this forum that don’t seem to be too supportive of it and who seem to suggest that speaking in tongues is not looked on too favorably by the Catholic hierarchy.

On a personal note, the first practicing Catholic that I talked to in depth about religion was a lady involved in the Renewal. It certainly helped us to understand one another better, and I found it refreshing that a non-Pentecostal understood where I was coming from, most Protestants don’t.

 

[SteveVH]

SteveVH, do you feel that the Charismatic Renewal is supported by the Catholic Church? I’m just curious as to how accepted it is, as I have encountered some Catholics on this forum that don’t seem to be too supportive of it and who seem to suggest that speaking in tongues is not looked on too favorably by the Catholic hierarchy.

On a personal note, the first practicing Catholic that I talked to in depth about religion was a lady involved in the Renewal. It certainly helped us to understand one another better, and I found it refreshing that a non-Pentecostal understood where I was coming from, most Protestants don’t.

Yes, it is supported. Our diocese has a special director of Charismatic Renewal as I mentioned. You can find a charismatic group in most parishes. The problem is that it is still relatively new and people are naturally sceptical. I know it is becoming more widely accepted in my parish. What is funny is that we celebrate the birthday of our Church on Pentecost, and then people freak out when someone raises their hands in worship, forget tongues. But that is changing.

Pope John Paul, II said that the charismatic renewal would bring a new springtime to the Church. So yes, it is accepted officially, now we just have to convince our priests and bishops to get on board. I am very fortunate to have both a bishop and a priest who not only accept it, but promote it.

God bless.

 

[Humupower]

It is definitely supported by the Church, but individual bishops and priests have their own opinions. So long as nothing stated conflicts with the known doctrines of salvation, what happens in the charismatic groups within the Church is accepted.

The Franciscan University at Steubenville is actually a hub of charismatic Catholics in the midwest. I’m sure there are other Catholic universities with major Charismatic movements.

I’m my experience, many Catholics actually return to the Church by means of the Charismatic movement. Among my own friends who are charismatic, daily mass attendance and Eucharistic adoration are primary practices.

It is particularly popular among certain religious orders such as the Franciscans, as it complements the charism of the order nicely.

 

[Cyclophile]

What does it mean when people say they speak in tongues? I’m referring to non-Catholics, particularly protestants of the evangelical type, like those in megachurches. I’m intrigued at these claims. As for as I know, I think this claim has something to do with them believing in baptism by the Holy Spirit, etc. Are they actually able to speak multiple languages without having to learn them? Did they just wake up one morning only to find out that they can speak the world’s languages, even those long dead? Or are these people lying (or insane, depending on how you look at it)?

I have no doubt that this is indeed possible, like for the apostles during Pentecost. It just intrigues me how so many Christians boast of this “ability”. I seriously doubt if they’re genuine haha )

when I was in a pentecostal/apostolic church as a youth, it seemed to involve pretending you had epilepsy and gibbering nonsense while doing it. Some folks did that weekly.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

You’re not alone. George O. Wood (the leader of the Assemblies of God USA) says that it took him 6 years to receive it. He also said he had the mistaken idea that you had to be unconscious to receive it and kept waiting to be made unconscious. He said it was a surprise when he began speaking in tongues and was fully conscious.

And of course there are the testimonies of those never even raised Pentecostal or attended Pentecostal churches. They were simply in their rooms praying and then they started speaking sounds and didn’t know what it was. I had a Southern Baptist girl tell me this happened to her. If you know anything about the SBC they aren’t exactly Pentecostal friendly.

Oh no, SBC is not friendly at all. Wonderful for that girl! Happy for her.

I’m not discouraged. It’s hard occasionally, but I’m fully confident that it will happen when it needs to happen. 'Till then, I can wait patiently. But it is comforting to know about George Wood.

 

[ltwin]

Oh no, SBC is not friendly at all. Wonderful for that girl! Happy for her.

I’m not discouraged. It’s hard occasionally, but I’m fully confident that it will happen when it needs to happen. 'Till then, I can wait patiently. But it is comforting to know about George Wood.

Don’t worry. Just keep expecting in faith. And don’t let it get you down because it is in no way a reflection on the depth of your faith or your closeness with God.

I think that is one message that Pentecostals send that can turn people off from us. A lot of us don’t mean to do it intentionally, but sometimes we make way more out of tongues than we need to. It’s not about the tongues!

 

[Church_Militant]

As counter point to some of the posts I see here, let me refer you to my own experience and position on this subject.

*What I have learned about tongues…
*

 

[GaryTaylor]

I hear what your saying, however, it appears to be a growing part of the church. Everyone’s journey in life is different. I don’t see why we should assume everyone’s church experience should be identicle.

There’s no question about the truth, that you are tapping into a completely different part of your brain. Same as with contemplative/meditative prayer.

I don’t see a good/bad here. I see different. Different doesn’t mean bad, better or worse. It just means different. No different than North/South East/West…different. And yes something may happen.

You probly re-searched this more with the Bible than I have. I have read these scripture’s a few time’s. I assumed St Paul was talking about people who were speaking a different language. I “thought” being that he was educated and traved extensively, this was where he was coming from. Apparently I was wrong, another conversation for another day I suppose.

Caution with me is the path with anything. I wouldn’t start meditating or go walking in the woods for that matter. Geez, you would be acting without having a clue of what might happen. Thats just good logic.

Interesting though.

Peace

 

[Humupower]

From my experience as a Charismatic, tongues are kind of ubiquitous and deemphasized compared to the prophetic and knowledge gifts for what it is worth.

In my group, there are people who do not use tongues. I do not doubt that it is from the spirit though. I rarely use them, as I feel far more compelled to other gifts. Also tongues in no way supplants our ordinary prayer life - I myself try to do a daily rosary, chaplet of divine mercy, and meditations on the sorrowful mother, etc. Most of my Charismatic friends also have a prayer life that centers around these devotions, and tongues is only a small part of their spiritual life.

As to whether it is scriptural, I think it is not-antiscriptural. Paul does talk about tongues and interpreters. Seeing as there are many languages in the world which would not be known in Asia minor(such as Chinese or Native American dialects), it is completely possible that those participating in this might not have recognized it as an “angelic” language. It might very simply have been seen as a language not known to those in assembly. Taking this with the prohibition that it ought to be done with an interpreter present, I don’t see any conflict in it. Also another spiritual gift is the discernment of spirits. I think most charismatic groups are very likely to have at least one person present capable of discerning spirits, so if tongues were merely human or even nefarious, I think someone would know.

And as for being slain in the spirit, I feel that it is definitely a true spiritual phenomenon, though it can assuredly be faked. There are many instance of people falling to the ground in the presence of God in scripture.

This is my own personal understanding, it is not doctrinal or anything, but I have an alternate explanation of what is going on which is a synthesis of my past studies of mysticism and philosophy:

Although Aquinas doesn’t really talk about this, I think many of the spiritual gifts are actually compatible and complementary to natural law philosophy, because they represent certain parts of out nature radically in union with the divine presence that leads to spiritual states of actualization where certain aspects of out intellectual and physical faculties are completely if only temporarily united to the holy spirit. The holy spirit is in union with our language, though our higher rational understanding is not, so something is capable of coming out, that only one who has a similar union of the holy spirit to the intellect is able to understand. It is revelation of the divine.

And I will say from my personal life, being in the charismatic movement has tremendously advanced my faith and personal devotion, so while it is not something everyone is called to, consider the spiritual fruits that it can bear.