I hope that my last few posts will help to clear up some of the misconceptions that exist regarding the use of the gift of tongues. I have encountered quite a few people who have objections to the use of this gift whether it is used privately or corporately, even though tongues is obviously meant to be a part of the Christian experience as evidenced by many scriptures, and even though Paul clearly states in I Cor. 14:39, "Do not forbid to speak in tongues." God knew that it would be a difficult thing for some people to accept, so He inspired Paul to write that admonition for our benefit and instruction. In spite of our prejudices we need to approach the scriptures with an open mind and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and teach us whatever the Father is trying to tell us.
There are two main objections that I have heard regarding the use of tongues. One is that tongues is "of the devil," and the other is that tongues have "passed away," and are no longer necessary or relevant. I would like to address the first of these objections in this post, and I will tackle the second in my next one.
First of all, many people are afraid of tongues because they don't understand it. Some pastors have increased that fear by telling people that the gift of tongues is of the devil, although that is not at all what the scriptures teach. There is no scripture that teaches that tongues is of the devil. In fact, Luke 11:9-13 says just the opposite. "And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion will he? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" So, what happened in the book of Acts when people received the Holy Spirit? They spoke in tongues. The Lord knew that tongues would one day be maligned, and so Jesus assures us that if we ask for something good from the Father, we will not receive something evil. If we ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and receive the gift of tongues, we have not received a demonic thing (a serpent or scorpion), but something good and nourishing (a fish or an egg).
In the above passage snakes and scorpions obviously represent something evil or demonic. For more evidence of this see Luke 10:17-20 where Jesus refers to demons as serpents and scorpions. On the contrary, fish and eggs represent things that are nourishing and good for you. Jesus sums up by saying, “If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” This passage teaches two things. One is that if we have not yet received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of being able to pray in the Spirit we should be asking the Father to “baptize us with the Holy Spirit,” as Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:5. Secondly, this passage tells us that if we are asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then that is exactly what we will receive. We need not fear that we will receive something evil. The Father and the Son love us and desire that we grow in our relationship with them. The Holy Spirit is the One who is to be our Teacher, Guide, Advocate, Counselor, etc. If we neglect to cultivate this relationship with the Holy Spirit we have no one to blame but ourselves if we do not grow into the mature believers that God wants us to be. The Body of Christ is trying to function with both hands tied behind our backs if we neglect such a wonderful gift as the infilling of the Holy Spirit and all that this relationship offers.
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