Was Paul endorsing the use of speaking in tongues in the church? In Corinth there were many who believed God used this spiritual gift often and it was becoming common to hear someone speak out in a different language, but no one understood the language, it was as if they were babbling.
The same phenomenon concurs in some churches today. The people who participate will tell you tongues is a language only God knows; they say it is a heavenly language, and will admit they themselves do not know what they are saying. The words they speak have also been linguistically challenged and have no connection to a know dialect.
This has left many people wondering if this is really happening or a disconnected way to feel spiritual. Most non-Christians think these who speak in tongues in their services are mad.
When the tongues of angels swept over the disciples on the day of Pentecost, the scriptures explain Peter and the others could speak and be understood by men who spoke different languages. Each heard the gospel message in their own language. This led to 3000 people giving their hearts to become followers of Jesus Christ.
The great difference from that day and what became a practice, based on that day, is the disciples spoke actual languages. There is no other place in scripture which addresses the use of speaking in tongues but the one we read today.
In our passage, the following words of Paul address those who speak in tongues, but do not know what they are saying.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 1 Corinthians 14:10-13 (NKJV)
Paul did not dispute the Corinthian claims to speak in a heavenly language. However, he does say there are many dialects which are significant. The use of words is to be understood and if there is no understanding what good is it?
Paul also encourages these to take responsibility for their self proclaimed spiritual gift and pray for interpretation; for the practice of speaking in tongues does not edify the church.
If you logically look at miracles of God and His communication to people, there is always common ground. God does miracles to increase a person's belief. He also has spoken to people to be heard and understood. When tongues did occur on the day of Pentecost, people understood the language and gave their hearts to Jesus. There were none who walked away without knowing what was being said.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17 (NKJV)
Paul spoke openly about their use of tongues and what he said is very relevant in churches today, who endorse speaking in tongues, as it was back when Paul addressed the Corinthians. When churches let go of speaking and praying in real words, those in the church listening are hearing nothing. If they heard nothing they are not edified nor can they say Amen and truly mean it. They can say the word Amen with vigor, but they do not know what they are saying it for.
When asked about this, the answer heard most is, "We agree in faith saying Amen." Yet faith was never to meant to be blind. Faith is overcoming doubt and endorsing a reasoned trust. Faith is not believing in what you do not understand.
If a person is capable of praying in the common language to God, why would they want to pray in an unknown language, especially if no one understands what they prayed? Is it not better to pray from the heart and pray in sincerity and be understood by all?
Praying, speaking, not being understood; frenzied, goose bumps, extraordinary, an unexplainable, service filled with wonder, people come and people go. They think themselves so blessed and for many this is the only service to God they do. This is very common amount churches which endorse the open speaking in tongues.
They fill their services with wonderment and push out the opportunities to challenge the hearts of others to service. There are people in the pews saying "Amen" but they do not understand what being a servant truly is.
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 1 Corinthians 14:18-20 (KJV)
Paul did not discourage speaking in tongues and admits to practicing it himself. You see Paul exposed himself to many different cultures and there were times he needed the word to preach to those he was around. Paul was truly a man who God did miracles through and Paul's ministry was effective.
Tongues do exits. If God needs to reach a person, a people, a society, God will and has unlocked the jaws of people to speak in a language they never spoke, that people might understand in their own language. It is a great miracle and one which occurs at the right moment when serving those people was needed.
If you remember Paul began is conversation saying, "When I was a child I spoke as a child, but when I became and adult I put away childish things." Paul's desire was to be effective, not create or encourage others to be ineffective.
The church has a mission to fulfill. Jesus gave to the church a great commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel baptizing them in the names of the Lord. We are to preach in real word and serve with real compassion.
Christianity is to become servants and think of others before yourself; thus we must agree with Paul that the practice of speaking in an unknown language does not accomplish the great commission.
In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 1 Corinthians 14:21-23 (NKJV)
People need to make their decision to follow Jesus or not follow Jesus. Thus they must hear the gospel in their own language and some will believe, but others will not. Paul adds, if they come into your service to hear something the cannot understand and know that no one else does either, will they not think you are crazy?
God has not called us to focus on one spiritual gift, but the many spiritual gifts that people might be saved. Prophesy, hospitality, faith, hope, love, teaching, healing, administrations, wisdom ,leadership, mercy, discernment, giving, and logical spiritual application of God's divine design into our lives. These we should be seeking and our services fill with; it is then people will find understanding and value to build the kingdom.
