Bible Question: A lady that led one bible study that I was in told me that everyone has the ability to speak in tongues, and that if we can't, we should pray to God to give us that gift. She also said that if we could not speak in tongues, it was a sign that we weren't filled with the Holy Spirit. I don't believe that everyone has this gift, and I don't believe that you have to do it to show that you are filled with the Spirit. What are some thoughts on this? |
Bible Answer: I know I am adding this note to an old post, but I'm adding it also for the benefit of anyone who may be brousing and have come across people who talk this way about tongues. 1Cr 14:39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. I think your friend needs to read her Bible more closely. I had one fellow tell me the same thing. About four months later he abandoned his wife and children. It made it a little hard to believe he was any more filled with the Holy Spirit than any other Christian. This is why it is so important that we study the Bible as individuals using the accepted references of scholars and not depend on others completely to teach us what it says. I love to listen to the popular Bible teachers on the radio, but certain things they say I feel compelled to disagree with, even though their teaching is enlightening on the whole. Unlike other gifts, it is difficult to measure how good someone really is with tongues. This is especially true if they are understanding tongues as the "language of angels". I feel that because of this it would be easy for someone to jump into it and bring a little shot of glory to themselves. By no means do I believe that everyone does it for this reason, but I do feel that the ones that claim that because of it they are "more filled" with the Holy Spirit than other saved Christians may fit into this catagory. |