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This is a good question, Briney.
Speaking in tounges was once used in the early days of the church.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This was during a time where many people didn't study other people's languages. Greek and Hebrew was thought to be all that was needed for the converted Jew.
However Paul speaks out against speaking in tounges.
1Co 14:22 So that tongues are not a sign to those believing, but to those not believing. But prophecy is not to those not believing, but to those believing.
1Co 14:23 Then if the whole assembly comes together, and all speak in tongues, and uninstructed ones or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you rave?
In fact only the only people today that speak in tounges are more on the fringe of the charismatic church. A "church" that is founded more on money than on anything of God.
After the early days of the church, no one spoke in tongues. Until the 60's and 70's charismatic churches began to spring up.
1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Paul says that people of the later church will not speak in tounges.
1Co 14:27 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.
Here Paul is saying that speaking in tongues really helps no one because many people will not understand what that person is saying.
There are many many many Scripture passages talking about how good speaking in tonges WAS. Sometimes it was a gift, or fruit, of the Spirit. But in later passages Paul says that the later church will not prophesizes or speak in tongues. Therefore the people that do it today are a) deceiving themselves and b) not following Scripture.
"I have heard people I love and respect speaking in tongues during deep prayer and meditation."
Briney, I'd like to point you to one example of someone who we loved and respected who did something wrong. Pastor John Booko and his use of the Koran and passage 9:11 to say that "an eagle would decend" on Iraq. Just people people do it does not make it right. The charismatic church, I view them as false prophets, work on people's emotions rather than on the faith and love to God. A guy in a $10,000 suit in a crystal church touches a lame man's forehead and that man drops, more likely from seeing other people do it rather than from any true healing. You must be careful of people like this. Three passages remind me of these people:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
This one more for the flashiness and showing off rather than the "Well at least I don't..." view.
And
Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Here is more of the God does not want you to show other people your devotion of Him to get "puffed up". But rather do it because of your love for Him.
Finally,
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
These people are, for the most part, about the money. Prayer rags (as bob can atest to), donations, the buying of expensive churches and cars. These people who say "Lord Lord" are they really serving him? Jesus said, "Not everyone who calls upon me Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of Heaven."
Finally I just want to make one more statement about speaking in tounges. If you listen to the new age tongue speak, is it a real language? That's what speaking in tongues did back in Corinth. The "tongues" people speak today seem like toddler talk. It always reminds me of baby talk. Goo goo gah gah ooji boojie. I just spoke in a tongue...give me money.
People might do this and sincerly believe they are speaking in tongues but a) that doesn't mean it's true, people can deceive themselves and b) tongue speak doesn't need to be used anymore.
X
(Think he got it correct....anything I missed or misrepresented or made unclear I would implore you to say so)
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