Do you speak in tongues pastor? Do we need to speak in tongues? Is there something behind it or power? Why is it that it is so big deal to others in a bad perspective? Some say it’s of the devil, it’s corrupted, etc.
Yes, I do speak in tongues. I received the gift of tongues when I was in high school. I got baptized in the Holy Spirit and then after a few weeks I started speaking in tongues in my room. It was funny because I could not understand what was coming out of my mouth but at the same time you felt strengthened after praying in tongues.
I think the question is not do you need to speak in tongues. It is not a need. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to speak in tongues. Some people force the gift to come. It won’t. It is God’s gift.
The Scripture tells us that speaking in tongues edifies the believer who is praying in tongues. So I think that is the main purpose of speaking in tongues.
It is a big deal to some because we are uneasy with things we cannot explain. To say speaking in tongues is demonic is going against what the Scripture teaches. Doesn’t mean we don’t understand that we shy away from it. Rather have an open mind and search the Scripture. If you are convinced that it is God’s gift then ask for Jesus to baptize you in the Spirit or attend a church that practices baptism in the Holy Spirit and are open to speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14 1(A) Pursue love, and(B) earnestly desire the(C) spiritual gifts, especially that you may(D) prophesy. 2For(E) one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but(F)even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6Now, brothers,[a] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some(G) revelation or knowledge or prophecy or(H) teaching? 7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8And(I) if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be(J) speaking into the air. 10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be(K) a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also;(L) I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will(M) sing with my mind also. 16Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider[b] say(N) “Amen” to(O) your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.