Is it wrong to speak in tongues?

Is it wrong to speak in tongues?
Of course, there is nothing wrong to speak in tongues. It is one of the spiritual gifts. Paul spoke it. I speak it. And many believers speak it too. However, many preachers today who have the gift fail to mention or give the correct warning to the believers. They would never ask, "What's wrong if we do not speak with the right spirit or motive?"
Many preachers would only want to highlight all the benefits of speaking in tongues, or only the positive picture about speaking in an unknown tongue, to give the false impression that there is no necessity to give the churches any warning about the abuse of tongues. Hence, many become very radical, liberal, and 'unethical' (unspiritual or immature) in the use of God's gifts, including the gift of grace, tongues, prophecy, word, faith, miracles, and healing.


What are the things which have been abused in our churches today and how are they abused?
We know that many things in our churches have been abused. We will naturally think of the Corinthian church which was well known for their abuse of tongues. Hence, we can start from the the abuse of tongues and show how other gifts of God can be abused too:

1. The Corinthians were ignorant about the gifts of God: 1Co 14:6-13 KJV  Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?  (7)  And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?  (8)  For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?  (9)  So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.  (10)  There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.  (11)  Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.  (12)  Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.  (13)  Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
2. The Corinthians were radical believers who did not do much reasoning with organised or systematic study of God's words or doctrine: 1Co 14:39-40 KJV  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.
3. The Corinthians could be so 'spiritual' about their own personal goal that they became highly insensitive to the needs of the others and the will of God:  1Co 14:16-20 KJV  Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?  (17)  For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.  (18)  I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:  (19)  Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.  (20)  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
4. The Corinthians had abused the gift of tongues and shown the wrong sign to the unbelievers - a sign of showmanship, hypocrisy, and religious fanatism : 1Co 14:22-23 KJV  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.  (23)  If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
5. The Corinthians were self-centred and eager to show off their spiritual superiority: 1Co 14:28-33 KJV  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  (29)  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  (30)  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  (31)  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  (32)  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  (33)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

If we can find these major problems in the Corinthian church who abused the gift of tongues, we can certainly find the same problems in some of our churches today. Who dare to say that only the Corinthian church could abuse the gift of God? Who dare to say that the believers could abuse only the gift of tongues? No, of course, if the Corinthians could abuse the gift of tongues, they could abuse any gift of God, including the gift of miracles, prophesy, word, faith, Holy Spirit, and grace too.
Hence, we can tell the radical or hyper grace preachers that they have preached contrary to the warning of Paul in 1 Cor 14 when they vehemently argued that no believer or no one can abuse the grace of God or the gift of God. They failed to give the correct warning and truth about the gift of tongues or the gifts of God.      


The problem of showmanship is still one of the prevalent problems in the abuse of God's gifts today
We must think of another Bible passage when we think of whether we should warn or not to warn the churches about the abuse of God's gifts:

• Act 8:9-24 KJV  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  (10)  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.  (11)  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.  (12)  But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (13)  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.  (14)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  (15)  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (16)  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  (17)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  (18)  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,  (19)  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  (20)  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  (23)  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. (Please see "God's warning against the gall of bitterness is still valid in our churches today" in my post here)

** Can we 'use' God?
Please think twice before you believe anyone who 'uses' God or who argues convincingly about his 'use' of God. I heard from a well known radical grace preacher who argued and said, "God wants us to 'use' Him. Do you remember the story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well where He told the disciples that he was no longer hungry after the woman had drawn from Him? Joh 4:32-34 KJV  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.  (33)  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?  (34)  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Hence, we can conclude that Jesus or God would be very pleased if we draw from Him or 'use' Him.. Amen.. Isn't this too good to be true? .. Haha, Hallelujah.."
I will tell him, Yes, this is indeed too good, but it cannot be true. Why? If we 'use' Jesus or God in any way we like and He is still very pleased with us, why wasn't Jesus very pleased with Judah Iscariot when Judas used Him or His ministry to prosper himself. Why wasn't Jesus very pleased when the Jews, who had heard or eaten from Him, wanted more blessing from Him and made Him their king?

• Mat 26:24-25 KJV  The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.  (25)  Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
• Joh 12:4-8 KJV  Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,  (5)  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  (6)  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.  (7)  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.  (8)  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. (Many radical grace preachers think that Jesus was rebuking all His disciples for doing good and caring for the poor. But Jesus did not say that it is wrong to do good or to care for the poor. Jesus was probably speaking to Judas Iscariot who always seemed to have the poor in mind but actually stole from the bag. Jesus might also say it to let the rest of the disciples know that they could always find time to care or do something for the poor but they might not have time for Him because He would be taken away from them soon).  
• Joh 6:14-15 KJV  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.  (15)  When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Of course, we know that God wants to bless us or prosper us, but He won't do it if we think that we can 'use' Him. Nobody likes to be used like a 'commodity' or a 'thing'. If God loved to be 'used', He would not give us any commandments against the worship of idols or worshipping Him like the way Gentiles worship, 'use', and manipulate their idols. Hence, we can say that God hates the people, especially false prophets, who 'use' Him, 'put words' into His mouth, or make His commandments of none effect:

• Mat 7:15-23 KJV  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. ..  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

** Why do we think that the showmanship preachers are also the lukewarm believers? 
I will ask the radical grace preachers, Do you know that Simon had the same problem when it comes to the gift of God? He wanted to abuse the gift of the Holy Spirit by using it as part of his showmanship too. He thought that there was nothing wrong with his showmanship in the name of Christ or God, as he used to attract (bewitch or entertain) many people with sorceries in his former practice, probably thinking that he was not wrong to do it again. He thought that he could 'use' God or involve God as the 'most honoured partner' in his 'divine entertainment' of miracles, signs, and wonders. However, Peter discerned that it was still a wicked plan. He gave him a serious rebuke and commanded him to repent. I believe that Peter would give the similar rebuke if he could find any preachers today (whether they be the law preachers or grace preachers) who have switched to Christianity only because of their pagan, occult, or lustful desire for more power (whether they use it to attract people to themselves or to God). Hence, a true God's preacher will not freely use the gift or power of God just to attract. He may discreetly use the gift of God to honour God. However, he will always focus on the words and teaching of God to bring true repentance and real changes to the people's hearts and minds. He must preach sound doctrine according to the words and commandments of God. Whilst a false prophet will always do the opposite to promote his evasive doctrine, effortless success, flamboyant lifestyle, mental confusion, and 'hot-n-cold' analogy of law and grace (if I have time, I will talk more about his 'hot-n-cold' strategy which capitalises on the confusion of law-n-grace to promote his lawlessness). He will frequently take the gift or the name of God in vain just to show that he is more 'anointed' than others. Hence, it is not difficult for us to discern whether he is a false prophet:

1. if we do a historical check on his occult background, weird experiences or visions, rebellious crashes with his former churches, and unorthodox (or controversial) doctrines against the teaching of the mainstream churches. One of the most controversial, but popular, doctrines he would like to use against the mainstream churches is his confusing and 'ding dong bell' doctrine of repentance. He knew that, if he could just create many fake churches (fictitious websites or hateful blogs) which promote hateful criticisms, hypocritical repentance, legalistic laws, and repetitive or mindless confession of sins, and falsely accuse all the mainstream churches of preaching too much repentance and legalistic rules, he would become a very popular rising 'star' who no longer need to preach any repentance or commandments of God. His strategy might work for a while until he breathes his last (breath), but it shows us that he is forever a schemer, an opportunist, a false prophet, or a 'lukewarm' preacher whom the Lord will spue out from His mouth (he is a 'ding-dong-bell' preacher who is not certain about keeping the commandments of God): Rev 3:15-18 KJV  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  (18)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Gen 3:7 KJV  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons ... (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
2. if we find that he always argues that no one can judge him. He may still argue, "No, I am a true believer, and a believer is forever saved no matter how he sins .."  We will tell him, Please use your 'anointed' brain to think, If a prophet or a preacher cannot guarantee if he can be saved after he rebelled or preached false doctrine, how can we guarantee a believer that he is forever saved or forgiven if he sins any kind of sins ??? Do you remember Saul and prophet Balaam who rebelled and disobeyed God. They might have believed and received the gift of God as God's anointed ones initially. However, subsequently they fell and sinned .. : 1Sa 10:1-24 KJV Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? .. (6)And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man ... (11) .. then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? .. ... (many chapters later) ..  (19:24) And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets? Balaam was another prophet who abused the gifts of God (Num 22): Jud 1:11 KJV  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. However, we notice that God did not judge them immediately or remove the gifts from them. Hence, it does not mean that a believer is saved forever because he is still using the gifts of God, prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles .. (see Mat 7:14-23)  
3. if we find that he is always contented to be an 'animal', a 'frog', a 'donkey', or a 'snake' just because he thinks that he was like that donkey who could carry Jesus on his back on the Palm Sunday, that he can boast about God's anointing on him, and that he can share the glory with God. It shows clearly to us that his motive of becoming a preacher is not to preach; but to promote, show, act, entertain, amuse, and impress the people (with lying signs and wonders) that he is one of the most 'anointed' comedians, performers, speakers, teachers, preachers, christs, or gods; but to us, his true nature is none of these; but a liar of the words of God: Mat 24:23-26 KJV  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  (24)  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  (25)  Behold, I have told you before. (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
   
4. if we see a great use of showmanship in the way he presents the gospel with the gifts of God, be it the use of tongues, healing, prophecy, laying of hands, handkerchiefs, anointing oil, or hyper grace. 
5. if we always hear him preaching about 'using' God, 'hearing' God, 'manifestation' of God, or the 'anointed' of God .. I will tell him who keep arguing of how they can 'use' God in an 'acceptable manner' or a 'legitimate way', No, you should not even think of 'using' God, no matter how legitimate it is. I don't care how noble is your intention, it is a wicked idea to use any words which give the false idea that God is 'used' like a 'commodity'.. but you are served like 'Gods' ... 2Th 2:2-10 KJV  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  (4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  (5)  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?  (6)  And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  (7)  For the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  (8)  And then shall that Wicked (the lawless one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  (9)  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  (10)  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 
6. if we always hear them twisting and preaching their 'ding dong bell' doctrines..
7. if we find that he is a 'hybrid twister' of law and grace which belongs neither to the law of God or the grace of God, or if he uses the preaching of grace to make a mockery of the law of God and accuses God's people as the Pharisees and then switches back to the law of God to deceitfully hide the works of his lawlessness or iniquity. He could a clear example of the lukewarm believers who would be rejected by the Lord in the last days: Mat 7:22-23 KJV  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
    Rev 3:15-17 KJV  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  (16)  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
   

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