Tongue speaking, also known as glossolalia, is a controversial practice that has been debated among Christians for centuries. While some claim it is a spiritual gift, others argue it is not supported by Scripture. In this sermon, we will explore the biblical objections to tongue speaking.
Lack of Clear Biblical Support
- The Bible does not provide clear instructions or examples of tongue speaking as a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:3-8).
- The apostle Paul, who wrote extensively on spiritual gifts, never mentioned tongue speaking as a desirable or essential gift (1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:11-12).
Misinterpretation of Tongues in Acts and Corinthians
- The "tongues" in Acts 2:4-12 and 1 Corinthians 12-14 refer to known languages, not ecstatic utterances (Acts 2:6-12, 1 Corinthians 14:22-23).
Acts 2:6-12 - "When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?’"
In Acts 2:4-12, the disciples spoke in known languages, allowing them to communicate with people from various nations.
Explanation: In this passage, the disciples spoke in known languages, not ecstatic utterances. This contradicts the modern practice of tongue speaking.
1 Corinthians 14:22 - "Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers."
Explanation: This verse indicates that tongues are a sign for unbelievers, not believers. If tongue speaking were a legitimate spiritual gift, it would be for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.
- The purpose of tongues in these passages was for communication and evangelism, not personal edification or worship (Acts 2:11, 1 Corinthians 14:22-23).
Paul's Warning Against Unintelligible Speech
- Paul warned against speaking in a language that no one understands, calling it "talking into the air" (1 Corinthians 14:9, 23).
1 Corinthians 14:9 - "So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air."
Explanation: This verse emphasizes the importance of intelligible speech. If tongue speaking is a legitimate spiritual gift, why would Paul warn against speaking in a language that no one understands?
1 Corinthians 14:19 - "But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."
Explanation: Paul prioritizes clear communication over tongue speaking. If tongue speaking were essential, why would Paul prefer to speak intelligibly?
- He emphasized the importance of intelligible speech for edification and understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15-19, 26-28).
The Priority of Clear Communication
- The Bible prioritizes clear communication and understanding in worship and ministry (1 Corinthians 14:15-19, 26-28, Ephesians 4:15).
- Tongue speaking can hinder this clarity and create confusion, contrary to Paul's instructions (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).
Tongue speaking lacks clear biblical support, and its practice can be misinterpreted and misapplied. While the Bible encourages spiritual expression and worship, it prioritizes clear communication and understanding. As Christians, we should seek to edify and build each other up with intelligible speech, rather than engaging in practices that may create confusion or division.
1 Corinthians 12:29-30 - "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?"
Explanation: This verse lists various spiritual gifts, but tongue speaking is not essential or universal. If it were, Paul would not have asked rhetorical questions about its distribution.
Matthew 6:7 - "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words."
Explanation: Jesus warns against babbling in prayer, which is similar to the modern practice of tongue speaking. If tongue speaking were legitimate, why would Jesus discourage excessive verbalization?
Native Language vs. Ecstatic Utterances
- If tongue speaking is a native language, why do practitioners often switch between different languages or utter sounds that don't form a coherent language?
- This inconsistency suggests that tongue speaking is not a genuine language, but rather a spiritualized form of gibberish.
The Gift of Interpretation
- If tongue speaking is a legitimate spiritual gift, why is the gift of interpretation often absent or neglected?
- The Bible links the gift of interpretation with tongue speaking (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:13, 27-28), suggesting that both gifts should be practiced together. While 1 Corinthians 12-14 does mention the gift of tongues, it refers to known languages, not ecstatic utterances.
Tongue Speaking and Spiritual Maturity
- If tongue speaking is a sign of spiritual maturity or a deeper relationship with God, why do many believers who don't practice tongue speaking exhibit greater spiritual maturity and fruitfulness?
- This suggests that tongue speaking is not a reliable indicator of spiritual maturity or a deeper relationship with God.
Jesus Didn’t not speak in Tongues.
Jesus did not speak in tongues as a sign of the Holy Spirit. While Jesus did speak in Aramaic, which was a language not widely understood by those around Him (John 20:16, Matthew 27:46), this was not the same as the modern practice of tongue speaking.
In the New Testament, the gift of tongues referred to the ability to speak in known languages, not ecstatic utterances (Acts 2:4-12, 1 Corinthians 12-14). This gift was given to the early Christians to facilitate evangelism and communication with people from various nations.
Many churches practice tongue speaking today because of a misunderstanding of the biblical gift of tongues and the influence of the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements. These movements emphasize the manifestation of spiritual gifts, including tongue speaking, as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and a means of deepening one's relationship with God.
However, this practice is not supported by Scripture and can lead to confusion, division, and an emphasis on experiential spirituality over biblical truth. The Bible prioritizes clear communication and understanding in worship and ministry (1 Corinthians 14:15-19, 26-28, Ephesians 4:15), which tongue speaking can hinder.
Those who say Speaking in tongues is a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and a means of deepening one's relationship with God.
My Response would be while the Holy Spirit does work in believers' lives, speaking in tongues is not a biblically supported means of deepening one's relationship with God. Instead, the Bible emphasizes clear communication and understanding in worship and ministry.
If anyone say that speaking in tongues is a personal and private matter, and critics should not judge others' spiritual experiences.
My Response is while personal spiritual experiences are important, the Bible emphasizes the importance of corporate worship and ministry. If speaking in tongues creates confusion and hinders clear communication in these contexts, it should be carefully evaluated and potentially discouraged.
Emphasis on experience over Scripture: Promoting tongue speaking might prioritize personal experience over the authority of Scripture, leading to an unbalanced and potentially dangerous approach to spirituality.
Acts 2:4-12 - "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them... Each one heard their own language being spoken."
Explanation: In this passage, speaking in tongues involves speaking in known languages, not uttering sounds. The disciples spoke in languages they had not learned, allowing them to communicate with people from various nations.
Bible verses
- Deuteronomy 27:18 - "Cursed is the one who leads the blind astray."
- Matthew 15:14 - "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."
- 1 Corinthians 14:10-11 - "There are many languages in the world, and none is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me."
- 1 Corinthians 14:23-25 - "So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, they will be convinced by all that they are sinners and will be judged by all."
- 1 Corinthians 14:33-34 - "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak..."
- 2 Timothy 1:13-14 - "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
Tongue speaking can create confusion and division within the church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 14. If not practiced with care and discernment, it may lead to misunderstandings and conflicts.
An overemphasis on tongue speaking and other charismatic gifts can lead to excesses, such as emotionalism, sensationalism, and even spiritual abuse.
However, it's important to remember that the Bible does mention speaking in tongues (or languages) in Acts 2:4-12, 10:44-46, and 1 Corinthians 12-14. These passages describe speaking in tongues as a legitimate spiritual gift, but also emphasize the importance of order, understanding, and discernment in its practice. Some argue that tongue speaking is not explicitly supported in Scripture, and its modern practice may be an innovation or even a departure from biblical teaching.
