I understand people’s discomfort with tongues. I lived in that land of misunderstanding myself for many years. To me, tongues was emotionalism, hype, becoming frenzied, certainly irrational. It was an experience for the weak-minded. It didn’t fit in my hyper-rational filter of “discernment”. I discounted its reality without really laboring in the Scriptures in an honest way. I simply accepted the “exegesis” of those who also came with a built-in bias against such things. The result was an anemic and powerless Christian life which left me in a vulnerable and defeated place. I knew that state wasn’t God’s Will or promise, so for me, the question of whether or not I “had to” speak in tongues was becoming a moot point. While it has never been THE issue in church life, it was becoming THE issue in my own personal life. There had to be some divine assistance more readily available which could cut through the fog of defeat and produce a genuine and lasting victory. I cannot speak for everyone who criticizes spiritual language, but for me, there was a laziness in apprehending what the Bible was actually teaching. It was a sense of desperation that provided the open door for my eyes to be opened. This is why the next critique is of particular interest to me.
CRITIQUE #4 – It is FALSE that all believers should speak in tongues.
The questions of “must I speak in tongues” -or- “may I speak in tongues” is central. There may be groups who preach tongue speaking as a requirement, although I can’t remember in 46 years of vocational ministry ever meeting such a minister. I am told they are out there. I am not required to defend an obligation to this practice. However, I am obligated to share that if a person desires this gift, it is available. No, you don’t have to “do” anything uncomfortable if you don’t want to. I will certainly not force you, nor manipulate you, nor do anything that violates your freedom. Having said that though, why would you reject potential assistance of divine empowerment that could turn the tide to victory?
Lot’s of people choose to live lower than what is available.
They choose to do this through the neglect of prayer, Bible reading, church attendance, and fellowship. We aren’t necessarily offended by the thought that a person’s lack of discipline in the means of grace contribute to their spiritual weakness. Is it really such a massive leap to suggest that one’s lack of desire for spiritual empowerment might lead to the same conclusion. This could be why Paul wrote, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophecy.”
I hear people say, “But love and prophecy are to be pursued as the ‘greater’ expressions.” I will not quibble with rank, except to say that no matter how the gifts and graces may be numbered, I want ALL that God has for me. For example, how do I access the realty of Romans 8:26-27,
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
A person is not obligated, nor forced to pray in this manner, but why would you forfeit it if you were facing a weak moment?
Paul actually wishes they all spoke in tongues in Corinth (I Corinthians 14:5). But what do we do with his remark in 12:30 with the question, “…Do all speak with tongues?”, as it is in a Greek construction which signifies the answer would be, “No”. Doesn’t that pretty much open the door for some to get out of this tongue talking mess? Well, again, yes and no. The GIFT of the public tongue or proof tongue (see last post) is distributed to individuals according to the Holy Spirit’s Will. So, in this regard, not everyone HAS to or will be empowered to give the public tongue. In other words, you may get out of it. However, the GRACE of praying in the Spirit is available for all who are desirous to receive (Acts 19:2-6).
This might be a good moment to slide in the concept that the Bible teaches, “YOU speak as the SPIRIT gives the utterance” (Acts 2:4). In other words, God isn’t commandeering your jaw, lips, and vocal cords and MAKING you do anything. He isn’t dragging people out of beds to go to church by commandeering their legs. He isn’t MAKING you share the Gospel with your neighbor. He isn’t FORCING you to raise your hands in worship. There is a cooperation with God. The Holy Spirit will bubble up words in your heart, but it is on you to start articulating those words. It’s not emotional. Emotions flow from the soul. This is intentional surrender as the Spirit flows from your spirit. Paul said this very thing in I Corinthians 14:15,
“What is the conclusion then? I WILL (make the choice) pray with the spirit, and I WILL (make the choice) also pray with the understanding. I WILL (make the choice) sing with the spirit, and I WILL (make the choice) also sing with the understanding.”
I could go on, but hopefully you are getting the idea. The Holy Spirit, Who resides in my spirit, is forming words which I am making the choice to speak. (Yep, your mind is going to wrestle with your spirit as you yield to the Holy Spirit.)
Do I think or believe that tongues is the pinnacle of spirituality? Of course not. The Church of Corinth was full of tongue talkers who Paul rebuked as carnal (I Corinthians 3:1-3). But one person’s carnality is not another person’s justification for spiritual lethargy and ambivalence.
So, Should ALL believers speak in tongues? I’ll stick with Paul who said he wishes for that, but at the end of the day…what do you desire?
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