SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: Die spreek in tale
Translator: Robin Barker
Someone asked me for my opinion about speaking in tongues and I want to share with you what I wrote to that person.
I want to begin by saying that many people make a huge mistake when it comes to speaking in tongues, by confusing the tongues the disciples were given at Pentecost, and the tongues which is given by the Holy Spirit.
Let’s read and I am going to highlight what you must contemplate:
ACTS 2:2-6 2 suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them. 5 now there were staying in Jerusalem god-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 when they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.
These mainly fishermen, did not only become fluent in their own languages, but suddenly, in quite a few of the popular languages of those times, and were able to deliver very stimulating/informative/eloquent speeches.
Let us also read:
1 COR 14:2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
Because it is immensely important that people correctly understand this, I quote now from an earlier translation (KJV).
1 COR 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
I have said it many times before and will say it again.
I think that people put too much emphasis on speaking in tongues, which is but one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So much so, that there are a number of people who have been given many gifts from the Holy Spirit, but because the people around them they were incorrectly taught, they are of the opinion that those people with more than one gift have not received it from the Holy Spirit, because they do not speak in tongues.
I have also said this before and I say it again:
I know of Christians who are far better Christians than what I am. Because in my opinion they bear much, much better fruit than I do and other than me, have never spoken in tongues.
Now I am going to let my great hero Paul say something to you about speaking in tongues and each section which is highlighted, from deep within my heart I shout loudly “amen!”.
1 COR 14:1-6
Intelligibility in worship1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the spirit, especially prophecy.
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to god. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the spirit.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
You see –
1 COR 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.
An earlier translation (KJV) states it as follows.
1 COR 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
I attended a service once where so many people were talking in tongues without anyone actually translating, that a young lady, who as a visitor we brought along, became very afraid, that she became extremely scared and began to cry from terror. Without her even knowing, she protested, which is what Paul warned about, concerning the speaking of tongues.
1 COR 14:23-25 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship god, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
Jesus says – and in this lays the crux of the matter, if I have God’s Holy Spirit within me or not.
MATT 7:18-21 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and false disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘lord, lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven.
What do the fruit in the gifts of the Holy Spirit look like and what I should be carrying?
GAL 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, — gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
An older translation (KJV) states it as follows:
GALS 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,.
I close off by showing you what Jesus thinks of, if you pretend to be something that you are not, or then if you pretend to bear fruit when only leaves are showing.
MARK 11:12-14 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
A person can now ask the question, if it was justified that Jesus cursed that fig tree. It is clearly written.
MARK 11:13 … because it was not the season for figs.
I believe that was exactly why Jesus cursed the tree.
You see –
It was as if the tree was announcing:
“It is not time for figs but I am such a marvellous tree, that I already have figs.
If God has given you the gift of healing, live it to glorify Him.
If God has given you the gift of learning, live it to glorify Him.
So it should be with all the other gifts.
A peach tree should not try to be a plum tree.
Just think about what would happen if a grape vine tried to carry a watermelon.
There are also, based on my opinion, gifts from the Holy Spirit which can be copied by acting.
If I have God’s Holy Spirit within me, it will show itself and not necessarily through the speaking in tongues but certainly through the fruit I bear.
That is why it is not surprising, that God in His Word says to us:
MATT 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
An older translation (KJV) states it as follows.
MATT 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
I have also written other daily thoughts about speaking in tongues, which in my opinion expresses my thoughts more precisely.
I will send them to you in great love on request thereof.
Other daily thoughts on this subject which you might be interested in:
(Daar is gawes wat nuttiger is, as om in tale te praat) – There are gifts which are more useful, than speaking in tongues.
(Hy wat in ‘n taal spreek, stig homself) – He who speaks in tongues edifies himself.
(Maar al hierdie dinge werk een en dieselfde Gees) – But all these things are from the same Holy Spirit.
(Moenie rondgeslinger word deur allerhande en vreemde leringe nie) – Do not be confused by strange teachings.
Greetings,
Sakkie