RiseUp! discussion

This thread is for the purpose of discussing the gift of speaking in tongues. Please, no anti-God/anti-Christian comments in this thread. I'd prefer that this not turn into a debate.

So... What are your thoughts on the speaking in tongues? Do you "move" in this gift, or are you unsure whether it's still active in the Church?

I'm gonna start by stating that I know very little about this issue, as I haven't been to a church where people spoke in tongues, nor have been to a church in... Four or five years.

That being said, my thoughts are that it's mostly inactive in the church. It's unfortunately something that gets abused a lot in churches.

From what I know, you'll know that it's fake if you see an "interpreter" try to translate what one person is saying. That's not how the gift works.

Interesting...

My mother had gone to services where people did it, and she told me kind of how it went. And she said that people would try to translate. And when looking to find a church in the past, I read some descriptions where they mentioned tongues and interpreting. The two seemed to go hand in hand in all the places I was looking, though I wasn't looking for tongues specifically.

My church now and again will have an event where it's like worship and ministry, and people who want to will be prayed for by the pastors for the gift of prophesy or tongues. No interpreters or anything. But during one of the prayers I heard a woman I know praying in a language that was definitely not English...so yes, I believe in tongues, I have just never received it.

I think there is a general misunderstanding that tongues *must* be interpreted. I never understood that way of thinking. There are times for interpretation, and there are times to keep quiet and let it speak to your heart, spirit to spirit (if that makes sense). In churches I've attended before, I have certainly heard "interpretations," that seemed more like people trying to get comfortable with the idea of hearing tongues spoken.

Tongues are encouraged, but not forced, in my church. While I am not fully comfortable with speaking in tongues around others, it is a part of my personal prayer life. And when we go into singing in tongues during worship? Well... That just takes it to an entirely different level...

Mojoboy31 wrote: "That being said, my thoughts are that it's mostly inactive in the church. It's unfortunately something that gets abused a lot in churches."
Yes, it can be abused, but to slightly paraphrase a proverb...
Where there are no oxen the stalls are clean, but the work is harder...

My church doesn't believe in speaking in tongues because we think God would want to hear our humble prayers more than just that.

Narnian525♥♪ wrote: "My church doesn't believe in speaking in tongues because we think God would want to hear our humble prayers more than just that."

Don't believe as in "don't practice" or don't believe as in "don't think it's possible"?

Doesn't practice.

Jennifer wrote: "I think there is a general misunderstanding that tongues *must* be interpreted. I never understood that way of thinking. There are times for interpretation, and there are times to keep quiet and le..."

I need to read up on this more, but I have a question.

How can speaking in tongues be encouraged? It's a gift from God; a form to speak with Him. Paul said, "For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God..."

That is the "function" of the gift. And it is a gift. It's not something that suddenly comes upon you, then just as suddenly leaves you. It's a gift.

Paul said, "Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy..."

See, not everyone can speak in tongues. Some people are given other gifts.

If I had the gift, I'd likely not use it in a church setting either. It was meant to be between a person and God.

I've grown up hearing people speak in tongues because my church supports and teaches it. When I was really little, I thought it was a little weird because I didn't know what was going on, but now I'm fine with it. I even spoke in tongues before. Speaking in tongues to some people is weird, but it's really just a another special way we can talk to God. I'm glad that I've always been able ask questions growing up about topics like these.

Jennifer wrote: "I think there is a general misunderstanding that tongues *must* be interpreted. I never understood that way of thinking. There are times for interpretation, and there are times to keep quiet and le..."

Yes, I agree that tongues don't *have* to be interpreted. Speaking in tongues in really your own personal prayer language. But I have heard stories of people who speak in a different language, and other people have been able to understand. Just to be clear, when I say different language, I mean one already known by others (like missionaries who have been to other counties and have come back and heard people taking in that foreign county's language when they've never learned it)

Yes! And hearing foreign languages as your own is what happened in the upper room during Pentecost.

Yep! :)

For most of my adult Christian life I never spoke in tongues, but we now attend a church that does. When I speak with the gift of tongues it is during my prayer alone time. For me it's a deeply personal time, between the Holy Spirit and myself. I have found my prayer life has dramatically changed since I have started praying this way. Even though I don't know exactly what I am saying, I do believe I am mostly praising God. Now for speaking in tongues within the church body. I believe that if someone starts speaking in tongues there needs to be an interpreter, for it is meant for the entire church body. Also believe that there should be no more than 3 people,(at different times), speaking before the church body, and than of course it needs to be interpreted. There can be others who are praying in the spirit, but they should do it softly...so not be confusing.

Jennifer wrote: "This thread is for the purpose of discussing the gift of speaking in tongues. Please, no anti-God/anti-Christian comments in this thread. I'd prefer that this not turn into a debate.

So... What ar..."

I should just stay away then?

Although I would like to make one point. The human brain has a remarkable capability to pick up languages, at great speed if necessary. Prayer may create a placebo to speed this.
Sorry if I got the point completely wrong.
I shall now depart.

What do you actually mean by 'tongues'?

The Phantom wrote: "What do you actually mean by 'tongues'?"

"Tongues" is a type of spiritual gifts, or a gift bestowed to a believer by the Holy Spirit. It appeared a lot in the New Testament after Jesus ascended into Heaven and the Holy Spirit was poured out over the believers. The people would speak in other languages they may have never heard or learned before, saying prayer and praises to God. Churches debate whether it's still a thing, which I know it is because I have heard people speak it before. Now, this probably is meaningless to you since you don't believe in God nor the Holy Spirit, but at least now you know what it is. =)

OK. That's rather interesting. I thought that stopped about... actually it never happened... A thousand years ago...

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goodbye