In my previous posts, I talked about “Speaking in Unknown Tongues” and what were the “2 Types of Tongues.” Today, I’m going to talk about the second type of tongues: the tongues of men, which can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:1.
The tongues of men are usually what all the debate is about among Christians. Some say they are for today, while others say they are not for today because any language can be learned or interpreted. Some people believe they ceased when the original Apostles died. So who’s right? Well, let’s see.
The tongues of men, as explained in “Speaking in Unknown Tongues,” are known languages of the world. They are used to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. They are used as a sign for unbelievers to become believers.
Today, many people feel tongues are no longer needed because you can always find someone to interpret for you. For example, when ministers go to foreign lands to a people whom they cannot naturally speak to because they do not know the language they hire an interpreter to translate the message for them. This can be done anywhere in the world. This is why most people feel that tongues are not necessary for today.
However, what happens when God wants to speak to someone and he asks you to do it and you don’t know the language? Do you run to find an interpreter? What if you can’t find one? Do you forget what God asked you to do? Do you go to the person and hope he speaks your language? Or do you even worry about it at all? Well, let me tell you of a modern day example of a situation like this.
Modern Day Tongues
A woman was walking with her children one day and the Lord asked her to speak to a man in a store. She was an African-American woman and he was an Arabic man. She never studied any languages other than her own, English. She didn’t know whether this man spoke English or not. All she knew was that God told her to do something and that was what she was going to do.
When she opened her mouth to talk to him the Spirit of God began to speak through her. Now she was speaking his language. She didn’t understand what she spoke, but the man did. When she had finished the man began to cry. He asked her if she understood and when she said she didn’t he repeated in English what was spoken to him in Arabic. I’m sure he left out the really personal stuff. At least I would have. J
Obviously, God could have used her to speak to him in English since he spoke it too. But I believe God used this woman to speak in Arabic as a sign for this man to believe. He was probably like the men on the day of Pentecost, expressing his surprise, “How is it that I hear you speaking in my language? Are you not American?” I believe that if this woman had spoken in English to this man, he would have been able to come up with an excuse as to why he shouldn’t believe her.
As the example shows above God can use anyone anywhere. He doesn’t need an interpreter. He just needs us to be willing to do whatever he asks us to do. There are thousands of cases like this throughout the world in which God used an individual to speak to someone in their language. It’s because of this that many people come to the Father.
Speaking in Tongues is Worldwide
One thing I want to point out is that Americans don’t own the market on tongues. For example, maybe God had been trying to talk to someone in English, which is his native language, but he wouldn’t listen. So he boards a plane to Germany for a business trip. A German man, who doesn’t speak English, comes up to him and begins to speak perfect English to him about what God has been trying to tell him. Do you not think the American man will not take notice? My point is that speaking in tongues happens all over the world for believers of all nationality, not just in America.
Most people understand that speaking in different languages purpose is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If that is the case then nothing has really changed. The gospel is still being preached and is still bringing people into the Body of Christ of all languages. Therefore, tongues are still necessary for today.
When Paul said that tongues will cease he did not mean when he died or the last Apostle died. He did not even think it would end soon. Otherwise, in 1 Corinthians 14, he wouldn’t have wanted everyone to speak in tongues. Besides, tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit so it makes sense that if one gift is no longer useful, then neither are the other gifts. Paul did say that prophecy and knowledge would pass also, but those gifts are still being used today also.
Tongues are still needed today in spite of what people may think. What do you think? Are tongues still necessary for today or has it ceased completely? If it has ceased, do you think people are being used by the devil when speaking in tongues? Maybe you have a testimony similar to the lady above. If so, tell us about it.
Our next post will explore tongues in the church services. Until then be bless.
Prayer Time
Our Heavenly Father, who is in heaven,
Help us to walk in understanding of your word so that we may properly teach others to do so also.
In Yeshua the Messiah’s name, Amen.
Scripture Reference
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV)
“Love never ends; but prophecies will pass, tongues will cease, knowledge will pass. For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial; but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-9 CJB)
“I wish you would all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you would all prophesy. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless someone gives an interpretation, so that the congregation can be edified.” (1 Corinthians 14:5 CJB)
Further Reading
Speaking in Unknown Tongues
2 Types of Tongues
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