1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV
"For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit."
I remember years ago participating in a Bible study and someone asked the question, "Why is the gift of tongues controversial?" There was quite a bit of discussion that followed until one gentleman simply made this statement:
"The reason the gift of tongues is controversial is because we don't really know what it is."
Now some will assert that the gift of tongues is a prayer language. The evidence for that is the above mentioned verse. However, while it can certainly be inferred from that verse, it doesn't actually say that it is a prayer language. Others assert from chapter 13:1 that it is an angelic language. The problem there is that every single time we see an angel speaking in scripture the angel is speaking in a language that the hearer understands. Either way we really don't know. Also when we hear someone speaking in an unknown tongue we don't know whether it is a genuine manifestation of the spirit or if they are simply babbling unintelligibly.
It isn't hard to fake tongues and we also have to remember that Satan has his counterfeits. One of the most foolish things I ever heard from a pulpit was a preacher saying that nothing makes the devil shake in his boots more than when a church is praying in tongues. That doesn't scare the devil at all. An entire church praying in a language even they don't understand isn't a threat. It's probably to his benefit because he can insert his counterfeits.
So what do we know?
Tongues are NOT for every believer!
1 Corinthians 14:5 NIV
"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,"
This is the proof text that is used to assert that the gift of a prayer language is intended for all believers. The problem is that those who assert that this verse proves that all believers should speak in tongues stop reading right here. However, if you continue reading it is very clear that this isn't what Paul is saying in this passage. Here is verse 5 in it's entirety:
"I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified."
Anytime you see the word 'but' or 'however' in a sentence or paragraph it is what comes after that word that is important. In this case Paul is expressing making a choice between the gift of tongues and the gift of prophesy. Notice he didn't say, "I would like you all to speak in tongues AND I would like you to prophesy." It is an either/or statement. Given the choice, Paul would prefer you NOT have the gift of tongues if it meant having the gift of prophecy. Tongues can only benefit the person speaking unless there is interpretation. Prophesy can build up the entire church. This is further demonstrated in verses 18 and 19 of the same chapter:
"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
There's that word 'BUT' again. It is more important to have gifts that edify the entire church than a gift that only edifies the individual. As one pastor said; "Many of you want to babble nonsense in front of everyone but won't say 'Jesus is Lord' in English."
Here's the bottom line:
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV
"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
God distributes the gifts the way he sees fit. Not everyone gets the same gifts.
Not everyone gets the gift of tongues...and that's OK.
Tongues are never to be used publicly unless there is an interpreter.
1 Corinthians 14:28 NIV
"If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God."
This really needs no additional commentary. Paul's words are not ambiguous. If there is no interpretation then remain silent.
This is a command that is often violated in many of the more charismatic churches today. And because of that, often these churches look just like what Paul described in verse 23 of the same chapter:
"So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?"
I would probably agree with them. I firmly believe that a major reason there is such opposition to tongues and gifts in general, is because people violate this very command. Years ago Dr. John MacArthur wrote a book called Charismatic Chaos. If the church had obeyed Paul's command to abstain from tongues in public if there was no interpreter, Dr. MacArthur might have written a book entitled Charismatic Order.
If a person speaks in tongues publicly without an interpreter they are violating the command in scripture. Violating the scriptural command is SIN. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Why are tongues so common but the other gifts so rare?
1 Corinthians 12:8-11, 28 NIV
[8] "To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
[28] And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."
When you look at all of the gifts listed here it is obvious that most of the other gifts are extremely rare. There are very few who have the gift of healing or working miracles. The gift of prophecy seems to be more common but in reality, most of what is being portrayed as prophetic is not prophetic at all. The same is true of messages of knowledge and discernment. It is very odd that there is an apparent abundance of tongues but the gift of interpretation is almost non-existant.
Verse 28 lists the giftings in order either of importance, prominence, or both. Tongues is at the very bottom of the list. Chapter 14 makes it clear that other gifts are more important than tongues.
In verse 12;
"So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
In the modern church it seems it is exactly the opposite. It should cause us to question the legitimacy of the gift especially because the most common gift is the one gift we cannot be certain what it is.
What we know about tongues.
1. We DON'T know for certain what the gift of tongues actually is.
2. Not every believer will have this gift
3. It is to be kept private unless there is clear interpretation
4. It is not as desirable as other gifts.
The most important thing is not to be manifesting the gifts of the spirit but to be growing in the fruits of the spirit. Jesus said in John 15:8:
"This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
In the sermon on the mount Jesus showed that it is possible for people to be operating in the giftings of the Holy Spirit but not actually be reborn of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ "
Jesus didn't say a few. He said many.
What a tragedy that many who have excelled in the gifts will actually be sent to face judgment at the end of the age because they never were reborn.
Gifts are important but they are given by God as he determines and they pretty much take care of themselves. We need to be about growing into Christlikeness and not be focused on the lesser things.
2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"
Examining ourselves is something we should be doing on a daily basis. I firmly believe that a person cannot lose their salvation. But it is very possible that people might believe they are saved when they really aren't. Having spiritual gifts is not an indication that we are saved. Growing in Christlikeness is.
So whatever gift you have, use it according to directions given in scripture. But let's keep the main thing, the main thing.
