Speaking in tongues

[ThomasMartin]

Hi! I’ve been to a meeting of young people from our diocese and I was at a workshop about intercessory prayer. Sister Francisca that led the workshop said that she has a lot of experience with intercessory prayer and she gave us a lecture about intercessions from the Old Testament and what it ment to them. When she started to talk about the intercessiory that we know better - when someone puts his hand on your shoulder etc. (just a simplified description, because I do not know the terms in Enlgish), she said, that she is whenever able to start speaking in tongues and whenever able to stop it.

I am not sure how does this charism work. I mean, I work with a priest that is half opened to charisms (he had to stop them for quite a while because of the “popularity” of them that made young people forget the most important things about christianity, like Christ himself) and I have encountered with some people that speak in tongues when they pray intercessory prayer for others, but I myself and none of my closest friends (co-workers, nor the priest himself) do speak in tongues.

I am opened to this charism, because I feel the need to build myself on such leveles for certain reasons. And on this youth meeting during worship I tried to speak in tongues, but I am not sure how to differ between the actual charism and between just fabricated “babble”. (If I can put it this way.)

Also, what it means to pray in tongues silently?

 

[jsaldar]

Interesting post. I want to know what others have to say about this. I, myself don’t know what speaking in tongues is and have never met a person who is able to do so.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Interesting post. I want to know what others have to say about this. I, myself don’t know what speaking in tongues is and have never met a person who is able to do so.

Hi, nice to meet you. (Now you have! )

As to OP’s question:

For the most part, tongues is not speaking some ancient language by Divine intercession. It is, in fact, nonsense, most often. But, it’s not something you make yourself do, either. It’s like a compulsion, sort of, only not so extreme. You are full of the Spirit and must let go, speak from the soul… it is a surrender to God, to speak intent without definition, to let go of all of yourself, it’s about God knowing what you ask before you ask it, about accepting God’s will no matter what.

Kinda hard to explain. But all people don’t experience this and shouldn’t try to “make it happen.” I don’t think it’s more effective or makes a person special in any way. We are just all individuals and we experience the Presence of God in various ways.

 

[Corki]

According to Scripture, both speaking in tongues and interpresting tongues are gifts of the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church. I have been around some Catholics and other Christians that have engaged in the speaking of tongues. However, never has there been anyone present who had the charism of interpreting what was being said so that it could benefit the assembly. That is a concern for me. Are those who can interpret rejecting the gift? Is God only giving the gift of speaking and neglecting the gift of interpreting? Or is something else going on?

 

[RedDuke50]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tounges.
For example, you start preaching to a whole bunch of people. All were raised speaking different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portugese) yet they all can speak English (your language). But once you start speaking, those who were raised with Chinese hear Chinese and those raised with Spanish hear Spanish. And those who do not speak English hear their own language. That is what I always thought that speaking in tounges was and not just nonsense.

But I really don’t know a lot on the subject, just wanting to provide with what I thought it was.

 

[Pilgrim1701]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tongues.

That was kinda how I read that also. The whole point of tongues was so someone could understand what was being said.

 

[cjforJesus]

According to Scripture, both speaking in tongues and interpresting tongues are gifts of the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church. I have been around some Catholics and other Christians that have engaged in the speaking of tongues. However, never has there been anyone present who had the charism of interpreting what was being said so that it could benefit the assembly. That is a concern for me. Are those who can interpret rejecting the gift? Is God only giving the gift of speaking and neglecting the gift of interpreting? Or is something else going on?

All charisms are for the benefit of the church and all who are gifted are supposed to be under the direction of a spiritual advisor who can determine if the gift really is from God,as satan is a good mimic.

I have only once been in the presence of someone who seemed to be speaking tongues and it appeared very odd,There was no one there to interpret what he was saying and he left mass babbling incoherently.

 

[cjforJesus]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tounges.
For example, you start preaching to a whole bunch of people. All were raised speaking different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portugese) yet they all can speak English (your language). But once you start speaking, those who were raised with Chinese hear Chinese and those raised with Spanish hear Spanish. And those who do not speak English hear their own language. That is what I always thought that speaking in tounges was and not just nonsense.

But I really don’t know a lot on the subject, just wanting to provide with what I thought it was.

That is what I thought too,but the bible does some something about the tongues of angels,whatever that may be.

 

[SaintPatrick333]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tounges.
For example, you start preaching to a whole bunch of people. All were raised speaking different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portugese) yet they all can speak English (your language). But once you start speaking, those who were raised with Chinese hear Chinese and those raised with Spanish hear Spanish. And those who do not speak English hear their own language. That is what I always thought that speaking in tounges was and not just nonsense.

But I really don’t know a lot on the subject, just wanting to provide with what I thought it was.

That’s exactly what it means. You see in a lot of the pentecostal and some evangelical sects that “eveeeeryone” speaks in “tongues”. They just convulse and babble incoherently because they feel they are connected to God. Is it a gift from God? Absolutely not. Does it make them feel closer to God? I imagine so. That’s why for their services I feel it’s harmless. But it bugs me when I hear one of them (an old friend from high school does this) try to justify it as saying that they speak in tongues because the Holy Spirit is within them. It’s a bunch of nonsense. If God was going to bestow the charism of tongues on someone it would be for a purpose that would benefit the person at the very least and the community itself at large. But that never happens with these groups. Everyone just likes to pretend they are having a seizure and speak whatever bumbling words comes to their mind. I would caution that it seems more demonic than angelic. If God wants to speak through someone He will speak clearly. Not forcing the body to violently react and speak nonsense as though a demonic entity was trying to force its way inside. I don’t buy into it.

 

[grannymh]

Hi! I’ve been to a meeting of young people from our diocese and I was at a workshop about intercessory prayer.

Here is a link brendancase.com/uploads/Key_to_the_Charismatic_Renewal.pdf
which is basic information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Please contact me if you have questions. From what you have said, you have had good basic instruction. I can help you privately about receiving the charism Sister Francisca spoke about. The link will answer your questions about how this charism (gift) works and I will help you tell the difference between this gift and a similar gift which will appear in some posts.

As to praying in tongues silently. One is using the same gift of “speaking” in tongues only there is no sound. One yields to the Holy Spirit which means that one lets the Holy Spirit form His sounds on the tongue. Sometimes the tongue will move as if there was real speaking. In any case, the breath which makes sounds does not do so. The “sounds” are in the mind only.

If your intention is to pray an intercessory prayer, you give that intention to the Holy Spirit with your own intention to let the Holy Spirit pray as He wills. In other words, everything is the same as when you actually speak out loud. The difference is that you do not allow real sounds. Yes, you can start and stop this prayer at any time.

The priest is right. Christ comes first. One gives one’s life to Christ. Then one can seek praying in tongues as a way to follow Christ.

 

[Rudy_Baga]

That’s exactly what it means. You see in a lot of the pentecostal and some evangelical sects that “eveeeeryone” speaks in “tongues”. They just convulse and babble incoherently because they feel they are connected to God. Is it a gift from God? Absolutely not. Does it make them feel closer to God? I imagine so. That’s why for their services I feel it’s harmless. But it bugs me when I hear one of them (an old friend from high school does this) try to justify it as saying that they speak in tongues because the Holy Spirit is within them. It’s a bunch of nonsense. If God was going to bestow the charism of tongues on someone it would be for a purpose that would benefit the person at the very least and the community itself at large. But that never happens with these groups. Everyone just likes to pretend they are having a seizure and speak whatever bumbling words comes to their mind. I would caution that it seems more demonic than angelic. If God wants to speak through someone He will speak clearly. Not forcing the body to violently react and speak nonsense as though a demonic entity was trying to force its way inside. I don’t buy into it.

I would put off the harsh judgment. If perhaps, these people are under the action of the Spirit, you have just called that action demonic. I have seen priest speak in these ways. Am I to jump to the conclusion that they were possessed? Remember, all sins may be forgiven but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and leave it to Jesus to decide the validity of the action of those who speak in this manner.

 

[grannymh]

Here is a link brendancase.com/uploads/Key_to_the_Charismatic_Renewal.pdf
which is basic information about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

I suggest reading the beginning chapters and then chapter four.

Please contact me if you have questions. From what you have said, you have had good basic instruction. I can help you privately about receiving the charism Sister Francisca spoke about. The link will answer your questions about how this charism (gift) works and I will help you tell the difference between this gift and a similar gift which will appear in some posts.

As to praying in tongues silently. One is using the same gift of “speaking” in tongues only there is no sound. One yields to the Holy Spirit which means that one lets the Holy Spirit form His sounds on the tongue. Sometimes the tongue will move as if there was real speaking. In any case, the breath which makes sounds does not do so. The “sounds” are in the mind only.

If your intention is to pray an intercessory prayer, you give that intention to the Holy Spirit with your own intention to let the Holy Spirit pray as He wills. In other words, everything is the same as when you actually speak out loud. The difference is that you do not allow real sounds. Yes, you can start and stop this prayer at any time.

The priest is right. Christ comes first. One gives one’s life to Christ. Then one can seek praying in tongues as a way to follow Christ.

 

[Julia_Mae]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tounges.
For example, you start preaching to a whole bunch of people. All were raised speaking different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portugese) yet they all can speak English (your language). But once you start speaking, those who were raised with Chinese hear Chinese and those raised with Spanish hear Spanish. And those who do not speak English hear their own language. That is what I always thought that speaking in tounges was and not just nonsense.

But I really don’t know a lot on the subject, just wanting to provide with what I thought it was.

A lot of people think that, but this is not the case, although I have read of such cases. It’s always what it is in movies, though!

The Apostles at Pentecost spoke their own language, it was the hearing that was the miracle, each person able to understand, not each Apostle suddenly speaking in some other language.

 

[Corki]

I would put off the harsh judgment. If perhaps, these people are under the action of the Spirit, you have just called that action demonic. I have seen priest speak in these ways. Am I to jump to the conclusion that they were possessed? Remember, all sins may be forgiven but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and leave it to Jesus to decide the validity of the action of those who speak in this manner.

It’s not the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit to be cautious or even suspicious of activities. And we **should **use the gift of right judgement in trying to determine if such things are from God, from man’s own motives, or from a less holy source. We are not required to attribute all activities as originating from the Holy Spirit. Some may be but others may not.

 

[cjforJesus]

A lot of people think that, but this is not the case, although I have read of such cases. It’s always what it is in movies, though!

The Apostles at Pentecost spoke their own language, it was the hearing that was the miracle, each person able to understand, not each Apostle suddenly speaking in some other language.

I am not sure you are correct.Though the crowd heard them each in their own language it appeared they were also SPEAKING diverse tongues.
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak diverse tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. (Acts 2:4)

If the hearing was the charism then it would not have been the Holy Spirit acting through the apostles but on the crowd itself.The charism was given to the apostles so that the gospel could be preached to all.

 

[ChibiViolet]

Hi, nice to meet you. (Now you have! )

As to OP’s question:

For the most part, tongues is not speaking some ancient language by Divine intercession. It is, in fact, nonsense, most often. But, it’s not something you make yourself do, either. It’s like a compulsion, sort of, only not so extreme. You are full of the Spirit and must let go, speak from the soul… it is a surrender to God, to speak intent without definition, to let go of all of yourself, it’s about God knowing what you ask before you ask it, about accepting God’s will no matter what.

Kinda hard to explain. But all people don’t experience this and shouldn’t try to “make it happen.” I don’t think it’s more effective or makes a person special in any way. We are just all individuals and we experience the Presence of God in various ways.

Speaking in tounges as it comes from God would not be speaking nonsense. Why would God want people to speak nonsense?

 

[Julia_Mae]

I am not sure you are correct.Though the crowd heard them each in their own language it appeared they were also SPEAKING diverse tongues.
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak diverse tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. (Acts 2:4)

That’s true, in English it translates that way. I was told in a Biblical studies class, that this isn’t an accurate representation as there were more languages represented in the crowd than Apostles. OTOH, I wasn’t there!

But in any case, today when the charismatic speaks in tongues it’s something else.

 

[cjforJesus]

That’s true, in English it translates that way. I was told in a Biblical studies class, that this isn’t an accurate representation as there were more languages represented in the crowd than Apostles. OTOH, I wasn’t there!

But in any case, today when the charismatic speaks in tongues it’s something else.

The apostles were speaking multiple languages.That is the explanation i have read.Each one was speaking multiple languages.none was babbling incoherently

 

[grannymh]

I am not sure you are correct.Though the crowd heard them each in their own language it appeared they were also SPEAKING diverse tongues.
and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak diverse tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. (Acts 2:4)

If the hearing was the charism then it would not have been the Holy Spirit acting through the apostles but on the crowd itself.The charism was given to the apostles so that the gospel could be preached to all.

Originally Posted by Julia Mae forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
The Apostles at Pentecost spoke their own language, it was the hearing that was the miracle, each person able to understand, not each Apostle suddenly speaking in some other language.

Julie Mae is correct about Acts 2:6. Please notice that the scene has shifted to the large crowd outside the Upper Room. This “miracle of hearing”, certainly an additional manifestation of the Holy Spirit, is unique to this occasion.

The first manifestation, distinct in itself, takes place within the Upper Room, Acts 2:4 The Apostles were praising God in “Tongues” for the mighty gift of the Holy Spirit.
This praying to God is referred to as the common (ordinary) gift of prayer “Tongues”. It is totally separate from the extraordinary classical gift of Speaking in Tongues to the community. This classical gift needs the extraordinary classical gift of Interpretation.

 

[jsaldar]

I always thought that speaking in tounges meant you speak but people who do not know the language of which you speak hear you in their language. Like how the Apostles spoke in tounges.
For example, you start preaching to a whole bunch of people. All were raised speaking different languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portugese) yet they all can speak English (your language). But once you start speaking, those who were raised with Chinese hear Chinese and those raised with Spanish hear Spanish. And those who do not speak English hear their own language. That is what I always thought that speaking in tounges was and not just nonsense.

But I really don’t know a lot on the subject, just wanting to provide with what I thought it was.

This is what I have always thought as well. I’m so confused now. I guess I’ll just sit by and read. I still believe in my first thought though, it seems the most logical to me