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An Attack on Speaking in Tongues

by Rochelle Arnold  
5/29/2015 / Christian Living

So there seems to be a controversy as to whether or not speaking in tongues is for today or whether tongues are from God at all. I've had at least two Christians approach me with the idea that "we don't believe in tongues," therefore maybe I shouldn't either. The idea that speaking in tongues is not from God is ludicrous. If one simply goes to Bible Gateway and types in tongues for the King James Version of the Bible, you will find 34 passages that explain tongues.

Why it is that some people don't study the Word of God and understand it in context, is beyond me. We must study to show ourselves approved to be able to rightly divide the Scriptures. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Christians cannot merely take another person's word for it. It's just like the enemy to come against the power of the Holy Spirit through ignorant folks who insist on spewing out false doctrine.

Not only do some "believers" tell me that tongues are not for today, but some even go as far as to say that tongues are "of the devil." What a bunch of garbage! I was baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues many years ago and it came effortlessly. There was no man or woman forcing it on me. I was watching Benny Hinn on television when I felt the Holy Spirit's presence come into the room. I opened my mouth and began to speak in an unknown tongue.

My husband spoke in tongues before me and I heard him once while he was in the shower. It was the first time I had ever heard anyone speak in an unknown tongue. I was unfamiliar with the baptism of the Holy Spirit at that time, so I had no idea what he was doing. I will say that I had a knowing that speaking in tongues was powerful and from God. I never once thought it was evil, even though I didn't understand it. Now if someone is not a born-again believer and they tell me they speak in tongues, I would question the authenticity of that experience.

Fear of the Unknown

Just because we don't understand something, doesn't mean it isn't real or important. I don't fully understand how my body converts food into energy, but that doesn't mean I stop eating. Most doctrinal error comes in when Scripture is taken out of context. It's so important to read the whole chapter of the Scripture in question and compare it to other Scripture.

I am a graduate of RHEMA Bible School and I am very thankful for my experience and study of the Word of God. I am still learning and certainly don't know everything. We all must have teachable spirits and take what we are taught in light of what the Bible instructs. I believe that speaking in tongues is so powerful that the enemy has unleashed great opposition to it.

Biblical Proof

Mark 16:16-18

"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow those that believe: In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take away serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick, and they shall be healed."

1 Corinthians 14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]."

"But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."

Let All Things be Done Decently and in Order

The Bible does give us specific guidelines for speaking in tongues, which you can find in 1 Corinthians 14. I used the amplified version to give more clarity to the passage:

"Now I wish that you might all speak in [unknown] tongues, but more especially [I want you] to prophesy (to be inspired to preach and interpret the divine will and purpose). He who prophesies [who is inspired to preach and teach] is greater (more useful and more important) than he who speaks in [unknown] tongues, unless he should interpret [what he says], so that the church may be edified and receive good [from it].

Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in [unknown] tongues, how shall I make it to your advantage unless I speak to you either in revelation (disclosure of God's will to man) in knowledge or in prophecy or in instruction?"

So we are to speak in tongues if we want to but it should be done in a way that promotes and builds up the church. I speak in tongues at church to myself unless directed by the Holy Spirit to speak out loud. If I speak in an unknown tongue out loud, then I should be prepared to interpret what I say in a known tongue for others to understand.

"I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together; Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a [strange] tongue (language)." (1 Corinthians 14:18-19)

The Right Course

"What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all

If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said]. But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God.

So let two or three prophets speak [those inspired to preach or teach], while the rest pay attention and weigh and discern what is said." (1 Corinthians 14: 26-29 Amplified Bible)

The Argument Against Tongues

The only Scripture I could find that might possibly be misinterpreted is found in
1 Corinthians 13:8:

"Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

If you read this Scripture in context, you will see the real meaning behind it. This chapter of the Bible is teaching us the importance of love. Love is the highest calling. Without love we are just a clanging symbol. So we should not be dogmatic and unloving in our beliefs, but instead full of grace and mercy. We should speak the truth in love.

"Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded)." (I Corinthians 13:8-10 Amplified)

Jesus is the only perfect being, the rest of us are imperfect. Someday when we see him face to face we will understand in full, until then we only have partial understanding.

So Why Doesn't Every Christian Speak in Tongues

First of all, I trust the Scripture when it says for those who believe they will cast out demons and speak in new tongues. (Mark 16:16-18) If you don't believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then you probably won't believe in tongues, so most likely you won't speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit gives out gifts as He pleases, not as we please.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 King James Version (KJV)

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."

Tongues are a powerful gift from the Holy Spirit that help us in every area of our life. When we speak in tongues, we are communing directly with God and bypassing our flesh. The gift of tongues comes from the Spirit of God and works through our spirit. If we allow our carnal nature and pride to shut down the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, we only limit ourselves.

"It is not by power, not by might, but by my Spirit says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6)

Rochelle Arnold graduated from RHEMA Bible School and is the Founder of Change the World Ministries. Her desire is to impact the culture for Christ through sound teaching and the fine arts. Author of Rags or Robes: Finding Your Identity in Christ & SOJOURNERS: In a Strange Land available on Amazon

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