Speaking In Tongues

This has been an on-going topic of argument for many Christians. Some denominations believe in doing it and many others do not.     Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement practice this manifestation on a regular basis.     Many other Christian denominations do not believe in 'speaking in tongues' and a few even claim that it is of the devil. So, who is right? What does the Word of God have to say about it?    All Verses are from the (KJV).     Let us look at 1 Corinthians 12 shall we? 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (KJV)     "speaking  by the Spirit" is in speaking in tongues  4) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5) And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6) And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9)To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11)But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.    Verse 10 tells you that we have been giving the manifestation of different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. So this is obviously not from the devil.     My problem with those who teach this in the Pentecostal church and in others is that they are not doing what God has instructed them to do. I am speaking of the church leader(s) who stand up in front of the congregation doing their sermon and then suddenly they break out in tongues! nothing wrong with that except God says to have it interpreted. You can not possibly  be edifying the church if you or someone else cannot tell the church what God has just given to you for the edification of the church! If you do cannot have the words interpreted, then keep your mouth closed! Save the speaking in tongues for your own private prayer later on. 1 Corinthians 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. 5) I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7) And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8) For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 9) So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. 11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. 12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13) Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15)What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16) Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest 17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 19) 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. 20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21) In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 27) If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28)) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 32) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 39) Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40)Let all things be done decently and in order.     I think that God pretty much covers the rules when it comes to speaking in tongues!    One other thing. Speaking in tongues when you are communicating with God one on one is also called perfect prayer. When you do not know how to pray for something or what to pray for, speaking in tongues will help you out. You may not understand what is being said but that is okay because you don't need to know. In these instances, it is God speaking with the spirit that is within you. They know what is going on and that is all that matters! You just have the faith and the belief!   Technorati tags: Speaking in tongues, Tongues