Here is Question 4 from GraceTALK: “I have a friend who “speaks in tongues” and believes every Christian should also. As we spoke, I got the distinct impression that she did not feel I was “walking in the Spirit” in this regard. I was both irritated by her attitude and confused because it does make sense that if I am “in the Spirit” that I should show the activity or fruit of the Spirit… Confused.”
Speaking in tongues is very popular today and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. Often times, the frequency or fervor that someone speaks in tongues with is used as a gauge in regards to their holiness or Christlikeness. But, that is not what the Bible teaches. We will take a look at that in a moment.
For now, let’s take a look at this conversation and see how we might steer it in a productive manner for God’s glory and the good of our friend and ourself. I would encourage you follow up with your friend and try to reengage on the topic. And, when you do, try to bring up some of the following questions.
The first question I would ask this person is, “What do you mean when you say ‘I speak in tongues?’” Is this something the person does in private or is it done in the local assembly? If in private, like in a personal prayer language or ‘tongues of angels,’ then I do not think there is any biblical warrant for such an expression (1 Cor 13:1-4).
If she answers that she speaks in tongues in the local assembly, then Paul gives some clear and rather precise guidelines in regards to how this gift is to be carried out (1 Cor 14). In the context of a local church there is never to be more than two or three people speaking in tongues and never at the same time. Additionally, Paul commands that there be an interpreter present for those speaking in tongues. If there is no interpreter, then there should be no speaking in tongues at all (1 Cor 14:26-28). There are many in the church today who contend that this gift is no longer even given by the Holy Spirit….that it was unique to the early church age.
In that same chapter (1 Cor 14:19) Paul also encourages the church to more earnestly seek the gift of prophecy (which means forth telling of truth) and not the gift of tongues. In fact, Paul says he would rather speak five words with his mind rather than 10,000 words in a tongue. Clearly, speaking truth is the better and more helpful gift for the church than speaking in tongues.
Another question I would ask her is, “Why do you think every believer should “speak in tongues?’” Again Paul speaks to this issue. He knows that the church in Corinth was eager for manifestations of the Spirit so He encouraged them to pursue such manifestations. However, rather than seeking out speaking in tongues, Paul encouraged them to manifest the Spirit in the building up of the church body (1 Cor 14:12).
The final question I would want an answer to is how she determines if someone is walking in the Spirit. This will be a telling answer that will let you know if they are basing their ‘waling in the Spirit’ definition simply on their own experiences or if it’s based upon God’s revealed Word to us. In His Word, God clearly shows us how we can discern if we, or someone else for that matter, is walking in the Spirit.
A look at Romans 8, which makes reference a couple times to walking in the Spirit, talks about putting to death the deeds of the body, about fighting sin (Rom 8:12). People who walk according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:5). And the Sprit produces conformity to Christ which can be seen in the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control (Gal 5:22).
Looking at the passage from our Fighter Verse for the past three weeks, in Eph 2, we see that we all once were formerly dead and were carrying out the passions of the flesh as we walked following the course of this world. But, God, who is rich in His mercy, made us alive together with Christ so that we might carry out good works (Eph 2:10), which God prepared beforehand, so that we might walk in them.
Someone who is walking in the Spirit will be obedient and will carry out good works to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ. Col 1:10 tells us that for us to ‘walk in a manner worthy of the Lord’ then we are to bear fruit in every good work and should increase in our knowledge of God. Col 2:6 tells us that for us to ‘walk in Him [Jesus]’ then we should be rooted and built up in our faith and that we should be abounding in thanksgiving.
It’s important in our society today, particularly with the huge influence of the charismatic movement over the last century and particularly over the last decade or so, that we take all of our thoughts AND experiences back and submit them fully to the authority of Scripture. If we cannot find justification for what we are experiencing in Scripture, then we need to reconsider what we are experiencing and attributing to the Spirit.
You may recall from a few weeks ago an analogy used on stage when an electric guitar was played through an amplifier. When the amplifier was turned off we could not hear the guitar. When the amplifier was turned on, we could clearly and loudly hear the guitar. In essence, the Holy Spirit is the amplifier to Jesus. He exists to make Jesus famous, to make Him known, to glorify Him. He is not primarily about us. In relation to us, He is about conforming us into the image, the character, and the priorities of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29). That’s why we almost always see fruit and knowledge linked with the Spirit and our walking in Him or in Christ when we read the Word.
So, don’t worry if your friend makes you feel confused. Instead, take your feelings and your mind back to the Word of God and see what it has to say about walking in the Spirit. See what the Word says about walking in a manner worthy of Jesus. You will find that it says that you are to grow in your knowledge and understanding of Christ and that as you do this good deeds and fruit will multiply in you as you become more like Christ…that is walking in the Spirit!
I think I would disagree with you about personal prayer languages.
It doesn’t look like 1Cor 13:1-4 precludes tongues as a prayer language; seems Paul is advocating love above any of the spiritual gifts.
Second, I think 1Cor 14:1-19 is saying the gift of tongues is a prayer language to communicate with God. Yet, it is to be interpreted when done in the church but when done in private is a mystery only understood in his spirit.
O’Ryan-
Great to hear from you! In regards to 1 Cor 13:1-4 I think Paul is using hyperbole in order to make a point about the importance of love. The reason I think he is using hyperbole is because he talks about having ‘all knowledge’ and understanding ‘all mysteries’ and having ‘all faith’ in verse 2. Obviously, unless I claim I’m God it is simply not possible for me to have all knowledge or understand all mysteries and it’s equally clear that I can’t have all faith. And, since he follows a similar pattern of extreme examples in verse 3 it seems reasonable to conclude that the same hyperbolic or extremeness is in sight when he speaks of the tongues of angels in verse 1. The point being that even if it were possible for me to literally have all knowledge or to have the ability to speak in the tongues of angels (neither of which are real possibilities) they would profit me nothing if I were to have them without love.
I’m not sure that Paul is teaching that the gift of tongues is a prayer language to communicate with God. I don’t see that. How do you conclude that? What I do see it that Paul is seeking to help the church seek manifestations of the Spirit that build up the body; thus, he encourages them to speak with the mind and prophecy (speak forth truth) to build up the church. However, he concedes, if one is going to speak in tongues then it must be orderly and with an interpreter so that it won’t be unfruitful to the mind.
I agree with your assessment of 1Cor 13, how though does that preclude tongues as a personal prayer language? Isn’t that your point in the original article when you sited the verse saying there is no biblical warrant?
I read 1Cor 14:2 to be Paul’s working definition of what speaking in tongues is. Then he goes on to explain the right use of the gift in the Church. Finally in vs 18 he says is speaks in tongues more than everybody yet he would rather speak a few words intelligibly than many in a tongue. Therefore, I think he prays in tongues.
I, too, have been approached by a Christian brother who spoke in tongues to ask if I spoke in tongues. I told him that I did not, but told him that I would not refuse any spiritual gift that the Spirit would impart. He prayed over me and told me to speak what came to my mind. Everything was in English. He knows that I am a Christian and I told him that I trusted God to give me whatever He chose to edify the church. 1 Cor. 12:11
O’Ryan, I believe as you seem to believe that speaking in tongues really amounts to prayer. 1 Cor. 14:2 And while some cite 1 Cor. 13:8 to be evidence of the gift of tongues being stilled or passing away, in context it appears that the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge will pass away similar to the ways of a child. The reference to child I’m thinking refers to us before He returns to bring us to be with Him forever or when perfection comes and we see him face to face. The reference to being a man would therefore take place when we are actually with Him forever in His kingdom. Then it would make sense that we won’t need prophecies, prayers. or our former “knowledge” of Him, because we will have unlimited access to Him (a full view of Him) and a full knowledge of Him. Our former ways of talking to Him, thinking about Him and reasoning with Him change dramatically with an uninhibited view of Him.
But to the person who felt confused about walking in the Spirit, I agree with Pat’s exhortation to let the word of God guide us while understanding that the Holy Spirit will impart spiritual gifts as He determines for the building up of the church. If He decides to build us up by giving us a prayer language or tongue, may He be glorified as we seek time to be with Him and communicate freely with Him never neglecting our minds which are being transformed by His word. If He decides that He will build us up without speaking in tongues, may He be glorified as well by not neglecting to seek Him in prayer. Either way, we will glorify Him as we seek Him not just to talk to Him but as we listen to what He is saying to us and act according to what He reveals. Journaling provides a great way to record what He is revealing in our Bible study and prayer life. When we hear from God through our study and prayer, it is very unlikely that someone’s understanding or misunderstanding would be irritating or confusing, but another way we can engage them in the word.
If you have not personally experienced praying in the Spirit, then I can definitely understand your reasoning and conclusions. Prior to experiencing it myself, I didn’t understand it nor appreciate it. But now speaking for myself, I can definitely say I did miss out on all the years prior to making praying in the Spirit a daily discipline in my life. Since praying in the Spirit on a daily basis, the fruit of the Spirit manifests so much more in my life. My wife will testify to this. For instance, the other day I broke down in tears repenting to my wife for all the years of strife and frustration I had caused her. I lead us as a couple in prayer. I have a growing love for others. I experience peace in the midst of difficult situations. In addition, I get insights into how to pray in English for others. I have more boldness to witness. I am also fell and am more aware of God’s presence. I actually enjoy and look forward to praying now. All before I began praying in the Spirit, I would dread prolonged times of prayer. It felt like a to-do list, so mechanical. 15 minutes felt like forever! Now I actually look forward to praying! Just the other day, I spent 3 hours in prayer, and I enjoyed it and the time seemed to go by rather quickly. Yes, I definitely have many dry times. But all the good fruit I have experienced form praying in the Spirit motivates me to press through such times, knowing that more good fruit is to come! I no longer feel overwhelmed by all the things that need prayer, for “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”. I feel peace and rest, knowing in my spirit that God’s Spirit is praying though me, covering all the bases. Though I must still choose to do the right thing, temptation seems to be less and I want to please the Lord more. One of my issues has been struggling with feeling that I am missing out on being involved in what God is doing. This has greatly diminished, as I feel purposeful in prayer! All this occurred since committing to praying daily in the Spirit. So you can only imagine what other things are in store for me as I continue this new discipline and grace!
May you be blessed in experiencing God’s presence and the grace of praying in the Spirit!
Be blessed!