This is just a little ‘did you know’ informational post on the subject of speaking in tongues, shared as some food for thought.
One thing that often happens in Apostolic churches is “praying through.” This is stressed for when one sins (real or perceived), as well as for when one “backslides” and leaves one of these churches. Now, some will say this is not related to spiritual abuse, but I disagree. When you tell people that they are no longer saved or that God hasn’t accepted them back simply because you have not heard the person speak in tongues again, it causes harm to the person. It puts them in fear and they doubt their salvation. It causes some to have a distorted image of God.
This notion of “praying through” basically means that, since Apostolics/Oneness Pentecostals believe speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, many in this group also believe that if a person sins or backslides, they need to “pray through” afterward until they speak in tongues again. Until the tongues are heard, the person is usually perceived as not right with God, not accepted by God and/or still has sin or unrepented sin in their heart. Faith is tossed aside in exchange for some type of tangible proof that God still wants that person.
Sometimes these people are able to quickly speak in tongues again. It is a relief to the person as well as to their fellow members. Sometimes the person never speaks in tongues again. Other times it takes days, weeks, maybe even months before it happens. During this time, the person often fears for their soul, wondering why God hasn’t accepted them. Their fellow members may keep their distance or they may regularly fast and pray for them. In their mind, the individual is holding back, doesn’t want to stop sinning, or has some sin for which they have not yet repented. Leadership may even say fearful things like, “If the rapture took place today, brother x isn’t ready and would be left behind.”
In unhealthy churches, fear is a main motivating factor behind a majority of what is taught and done. Causing someone to believe they have not been accepted by God is as bad as it goes. For a Christian, if you believe God hasn’t accepted you, what hope do you have? Your life is fraught with dread and fear and you spend your time searching yourself to discover just what is so bad that this is happening. You repent of all sorts of things, as well as the things that may be in your heart that you don’t see. Finally one day you manage to speak in tongues again and you are relieved (for the moment). God does really love you! If this happens at home, you may still be seen in the same way by fellow members until they hear you for themselves in a church service.
Where did this notion of “praying through” until you speak in tongues come from? Are you tormented by a teaching that can be found nowhere in the Bible? Are you beside yourself, thinking that God has not accepted you, all because some minister or fellow Christians told you this? Has anyone read where Paul was told by Silas he needed to “pray through” after having his heated disagreement with Barnabas? Did Paul tell Peter he had to “pray through” when Peter wrongfully separated himself from Gentile believers?
Have you taken the time to search your Bible to see if you can find this teaching? Have you looked to see if you can find examples of the early believers doing this or being worried about it? If not, I encourage you to spend time doing so. You will be surprised at what you discover and the fear involved in this will no longer have a hold on you. You will also learn to walk in faith and not need signs like this to confirm your relationship with God.
Informational post on speaking in tongues #14: Almost Got the Spirit
Informational post on speaking in tongues #13: Praying Through
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
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