Biblical Tongues, a Real Language not Babbling

1 Corinthians 14:1-5 "14 Pursue love, yet earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification."

I find it interesting that in these last days more emphasis is placed on tongues than on speaking the prophetic words of the Bible. I would rather speak clearly to those who can understand the language so that they would grow in holiness after knowing the truths of the Bible. God calls "tongues" the least of the gifts, and I believe in our day they tend to glorify self more than God. Notice those who do it regularly have to speak of it all the time. Also tongues are not the gibberish that we hear not, nonsensical babbling pretending to be tongues.

If someone is led by the Holy Spirit to speak in a tongue in their closet then perhaps they ought not to be talking about it to others. And, we know for sure God demands an interpreter in the gathering so that others can say amen. Notice too that no one has a new revelation from God because all we need is what is already in the Bible.

It is best to speak the language of the people while expounding on the prophetic words of the Bible. There are no new revelations from God, the Bible has it all already.

I once heard a man say he had a word from the Lord for the people in a gathering. He told the people "God loves you", it was downright silly, he held a Bible in his hands there was no need to speak in another language the people didn't understand and have an interpreter for what God already told us in His Word the Bible.

Perhaps people want to appear more spiritual through a tongue experience, a sort of "look at me, no one else can do what I did" mentality. Just speak the words of the Bible, because we know no one will have a word from God that is not covered in the Bible. Also, remember the Holy Spirit speaks in all believers, no one needs another person to be a mediator between them and God, Jesus Christ is that for all of us and He will tell each one the specifics of his walk, which house to buy, who to go visit and other things that the Bible is not specific about.

1 Timothy 2:5
"5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

All of Christ's principles in the Bible cover things that help us discern the specifics of everything.

Growing Rather Than Regressing

Amen, through my contact with many people I see this problem of family angst growing rapidly in our day of apostasy. Even people who say they are Christians there is continual rebellion against God's Word.

Sister Trudi shared the problem of family hatred and what to do about it. Basically, the answer was to remain close to Christ and leave those who do not want to follow Him in the distance while praying for them.

All of us are seeing the rejection and misery unbelievers are causing. The comfort comes from knowing we are not obligated to remain friends with family merely because they are family. We can walk away and pray for them as we are led by the Holy Spirit, leaving all results with Him.

We are not responsible to nag or convince others, we are responsible to speak the truth and walk away if they do not listen.

Matthew 10:14 "And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet."

This is how we keep ourselves from being influenced by those in rebellion. The more we spend time with someone the greater chance we will begin to act the way they act.

Proverbs 13:19-21 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. 21 Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.…"

Our prosperity is not necessarily worldly wealth, our prosperity is spiritual growth and emotional maturity. Unsaved people lack both of these character qualities but a believer ought to walk in them daily while becoming wiser.