This is just a little ‘did you know’ informational post on the subject of speaking in tongues, shared as some food for thought.
With the emphasis and push for speaking in tongues in Pentecostal churches, my personal experience is that rarely was it pointed out, if ever, something which Paul told those who spoke in tongues to do. Do you know what it is?
I Corinthians 14:13 shows that Paul instructed those who speak in tongues to pray that they would also be able to interpret those tongues.
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
Surprised? When was the last time you heard a Pentecostal preacher teach that if you speak in tongues you should pray to be able to interpret? It is interesting how little this is taught and emphasized. Paul wanted the entire group of believers to be edified when they gathered together.
Have you followed Paul’s admonition?
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #12: Stammering Lips
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #11: Prophesy
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #10: One of many gifts
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #9: Continued evidence
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #8: Acts 8
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #7: Acts 19:6
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #6: Speaking in tongues a second time
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #5: Acts 10:45-46
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #4: Known languages
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #3: 1 Corinthians 12:29-30
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #2: 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
- Informational post on speaking in tongues #1: Pray to interpret