Gift of Tongues

Someone sent me this question to my old email address which I haven't checked in a while. (If you have a question you were curious on my opinions on, the new email is TraditionalCatholicAmen@gmail.com)

It is an interesting question I've actually gotten a few times. Speaking in tongues. The person asking sent me a video (which I will not link because it is clear how "tongues" should be handled, and this person was not handling it the proper way.)

Basically this person claims they can "speak in tongues" when the Holy Spirit overcomes them. Then after going into a trance-like state, they start to spew out what sounds like gibberish. The "tongue speakers" will say they are speaking what the Holy Spirit tells them to, so it must not be a human language, it's the language of the angels or of God.

So what is tongues?

And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)

In this case, "Speak other tongues" is often interpreted as "Speak other languages"

And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? So how is it that each one of us hears them speaking in his own native language: "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." (Acts 2:6-11)

So on this case... some believe the "gift of tongues" allowed the Apostles to go out and preach God's word to all, and everyone who came to hear, heard in their own language. The gift of tongues was given so all could understand God's word.

Some believe the Holy Spirit descended upon everyone present and they were all hearing and understanding a language that is a connection to heaven and not of any particular earthly language which is how so many nations understood at the exact time. They were speaking in an unknown tongue, but through the Holy Spirit all present understood.

Some believe there are different types of tongues.

1. Conversational - Speaking in other languages without realizing, and those who speak that language understand.

2. Transference - Speaking in your own language, but others who do not speak your language can understand what you are saying. You transfer the gift of tongues onto the other person through the Holy Sprit.

3. The language of God - Those speaking in a language no one understands, not even the speaker, outside of knowing they're praising God. Some who meet with those who have the same gift can often interpret for each other.

So it is unclear which if any of these Acts is referring to. Were they speaking their own language and all who heard understood through the Holy Spirit, were they speaking different languages in the tongues of those present, or were they speaking a non-known language and the Holy Spirit opened the ears of all to understand? We're not 100% sure which. We merely know, they transcended the language barrier to bring God's word to those present.

Many Tongue speakers point to St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians for the ultimate answer.

Pursue love, but strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to human beings, but to God. For no one listens; he utters the mystery of the spirit. On the other hand, one who prophesies does speak to other human beings, for their building up encouragement, and solace. Whoever speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but whoever prophecies builds up the church. Now I should like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Now, brothers, if I should come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you if I do not speak to you by way of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or instruction? Likewise, if inanimate things that produce sound, such as a flute or harp, do not give out the tones distinctly, how will what is being played on the flute or harp be recognized? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? Similarly, if you, because of speaking in tongues, do not utter intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be talking to the air. It happens that there are many different languages in the world and none are meaningless; but if I do not know the meaning of a language, I shall be a foreigner to one who speaks it and one who speaks it a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you strive eagerly for spirits, seek to have an abundance of them for building up the church.

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind is unproductive. So what is to be done? I will pray with the spirit but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind. Otherwise, if you pronounce a blessing with the spirit, how will one who holds the place of the uninstructed say the "amen" to your thanksgiving? for you may be giving thanks very well, but the other is not built up. I give thanks to God that I speak in tongues more than any of you, but with the church I would rather speak five words with my mind so as to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:1-19)

Some believe this could mean one of two things. That tongues is "gibberish" to most, but understandable to those with the gift from the Holy Spirit. However, St. Paul believed it is better to prophesy than to speak in tongues because speaking in tongues is only to build yourself, but prophesy is for all and will build up all. It is more beneficial to Christ's church. As St Paul Said... if you are speaking something that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said, so who will know when to say "Amen" to praise our God? Some believe this is St. Paul saying build up the church, rather than yourself, and do not be overly concerned with tongues. Not that tongues are not special gifts, but gifts should be shared to build up the church. If someone doesn't understand, then you are not building them up.

If anyone speaks a tongue, let it be two or at most three (persons) and each in turn, and one should interpret. But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)

Paul states we should strive eagerly to prophesy, not to turn a scoffing eye to tongues, but everything must be done properly and in order. In other words, unless there is someone who can interpret what you speak in tongues so that all may praise God, someone who can TRULY understand and know what the message is... then "tongues" should be kept to yourself in private prayer to God.

We should strive to build up the church. To do that, all must be able to praise.

So tongues isn't something the church turns its back on... but people should keep videos of themselves speaking tongues off the internet. again, unless there is someone reputable to interpret, it should be kept private because speaking tongues that is unintelligible to others lifts YOU up, not the church. In other words, it's private prayer between you and God and no others.

Now, Tongues is often abused by all Christian religions. It's sometimes a game of "I'm holier than thou", or trying to look like you're special, a prophet, or what not, to lead people astray, take advantage of them. Televangelists use "fake tongues" frequently to up their ratings and donations. They con people into believing they too can speak tongues when they start to utter gibberish that sounds right in the excitement of the moment. That makes them feel special, and causes them to open their purses wider.

This, I believe is why St. Paul is basically telling us in a round about way to keep tongues private and just preach God's word.

Paul also stated there will be a time when tongues will cease.

Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing, if there are tongues, they will cease. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial shall pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)

The entry above is somewhat up to interpretation. Some believe Paul meant we would have the gift of tongues until the 2nd coming of Christ. Still, some see the final line "When I was a child I talked as a child, but when I became a man I put aside childish things" as to mean, he had a more perfect understanding of God's commands to love, have faith and hope, but of course, the greatest is to Love.

So it is possible the gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit is revoked when we finally reach that understanding.

Either way, the gift of tongues is not to be taken lightly, nor is it to be shared if there is no interpreter, and if there is an interpreter, you should pray for the Holy Spirit to help you discern between those who are mentally ill, charlatans, and who have the true gift. When in doubt, pray. And remember, if you feel you have the gift, speak to your priest in confession, do not post it online as that goes against what Paul stated in the bible. Nonsensical tongues is for private prayer.

God bless.

- I Say Amen -