Speaking in tongues freaks me out due to seeing a TV news show that showed people running around with snakes and speaking in tongues. I’m having a hard time letting it go. I know it’s a good thing, speaking in tongues, but it actually scares me. How can I get past this?
I know what you mean about the sometimes strange behavior by some people who claim to be speaking in "tongues." There's been a lot of confusion over this practice through the years, and most people basically want to know if speaking in tongues is for every Christian. Some even want to know if speaking in tongues somehow demonstrates that you are saved. While I'm no expert (and I've never spoken in tongues), I do have some thoughts on the matter. Hopefully this will help.
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Comments
Hey Vanguardgirl, this is an interesting point you bring up.
I grew up in a conservative church setting. No speaking in tongues, no immediate prayer healing. Yet, the book of Acts tells of a different story. The apostles spoke in tongues, healed, and more.
The answer to your question is this:
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul writes about spiritual gifts. "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." He then goes on to describe different gifts. So it is evident that speaking in tongues is not for all people.
As far as being uncomfortable in places where people are speaking in tongues, I think you might be onto something. I believe that there is a lot of pressure in the Pentecostal and Charismatic settings to speak in tongues. Often times, I think what is coming out of people is just gibberish.
My suggestion to you is to be open but discerning. Open because the Bible never does say the spiritual gifts cease and discerning because we must be sure that it is from God.
Hi, you are not alone. So many people feel uncomfortable about this and you shouldn't feel bad about it. Scripture is very clear on how this gift should be used (Among two or three at the most and then there should be an interpreter present.) And it is clear that not all believers have this gift. All Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of edification for the body of Christ except this one. Speaking in tongues is for personal edification and is a beautiful thing. But like many things, it has been abused and has been made a tool to measure ones' walk with the Lord by others and this is not Biblical.
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit has more meaning than just receiving the gift of tongues. We read in the book of Acts how the Spirit came "upon" Peter and he preached with boldness. So, anything we do that comes in supernatural ability which in uncommon to our everyday being is also referred to as being baptized in the Spirit.
I have been around brand new Christians and even people who are not Christians that started "speaking in tongues" because they felt it was what they were supposed to do. Some churches even offer courses in speaking in tongues. This is not Biblical. It is clearly a gift that God gives to whom he wills.
A quick read through 1 Corinthians chapters, 12-14 makes this very clear.
Never let anyone make you feel like less of a Christian because you do not or choose not to speak in tongues.
May the grace of our Lord be with you. I feel your confusion--walk in the freedom you have in Christ. Remember Colossians chapter 2. Don't let any one judge your walk with the Lord.
God Bless.