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As a former tongue speaker I was so surprise to read up all the bible verses referring to the subject of tongues;  the history of the use of tongues in different religious denominations, false religions, pagan religions and even demonic rituals. I continue to be so amazed how easily the enemy devour us for our lack of knowledge and unwillingness to seek the truth.  I been around Christian circles for over 7 years visited many churches I am yet to see one person speak in a different tongue understood by other or yet to meet a tongue interpreter but I have witness many people speaking in tongues including myself at one point. Who do we glorify when we speak in a tongue that nobody understands?   The bible is very clearly in his teachings as to the purpose and guideline of the public use of the gift of tongues:

Deliver a Message (New Tongues are necessary for a disciple to deliver the message of the gospel)   See below:

 Mark 16:17, And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Jesus stating speaking in tongues will happen.
Acts 2:4,  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  This  event describes an occurrence of speaking in tongues in Jerusalem at Pentecost, though with various interpretations. Specifically, "every man heard them speak in his own language" and wondered "how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"

Glorify God & Edify the Church

Acts 10:46, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. When the household of Cornelius in Caesarea spoke in tongues, and those present compared it to the speaking in tongues that occurred at Pentecost that means they spoke in other languages that were understood by the people listening in their own native language.
Acts 19:5-6, When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. When a group of approximately a dozen men spoke in tongues in Ephesus as they received the Holy Spirit while the apostle Paul laid his hands upon them. It is implied that people understood because the scripture states “and prophesied” someone had to understand it was a prophecy spoken by the group.

Paul in his first letter to the church in Corinth clarifies for them and us about different spiritual gifts, as stated our focus on this study is the public use of the gift of tongues :

Paul’s Description of Spiritual Gifts and his comments:

1 Cor 12:10,  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 

1 Cor 13:1  though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

 
1 Cor 14: 1-5  Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for[a] he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Paul Rules about speaking in Tongues. Tongues Must Be Interpreted

1 Cor 14 :6-18 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 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. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 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. 16 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?17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 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,”[b]

says the Lord.

22 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. 23 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? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 And thus[c] the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

 Order in Church Meetings

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged 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 the churches of the saints.

As you can see Paul was very clear in the 14 chapter of his letter to the Corinth church how, where, why & when Tongues shall be use. Base on biblical teachings we can all agree that tongues now day are not use according to the scriptures, deceiving and confusing the believer and nonbelievers in the Christian circles.  The recent wave of speaking in tongues dates back to the 20th century; January 01, 1901 to a gentleman name Charles Partham the same individual that was part of the “Azusa Street Revival”. This revival has been consider the birth of the global Pentecostal movement. I can go on more about the subject but bottom line the message is simple Chris said “Follow me” the more I seek the truth the more I seem to uncover all this practices of man to create our own ways. Today I ask you are you seeking the truth? Do you even know who you are  following?

 

Speaking in Tongues