Many in the so-called charismatic movement in religion practice and teach "tongue speaking." Some of our religious friends believe that speaking in tongues is a "sign" that God has saved them. Sadly, many have failed to study their Bibles to learn what God's book teaches concerning "speaking in tongues."

God's word does talk about speaking in tongues. "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." {Acts 2:4} This occurred on the Day of Pentecost when the apostles spoke in tongues in fulfillment of a promise Christ had given them (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13; Acts 1:8). What were these tongues? "And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?" {Acts 2:6-8}

Please pay careful attention to the context of the passages. The tongues they heard were "understandable languages." Each person who was there, from some 17 different nations, heard God's word in his OWN language. The same thing occurred in Acts 10 when Peter preached to the household of Cornelius. "And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God..." {Acts 10:45,46} These men heard Gentiles speaking in another understandable language, probably Hebrew.

"For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." {1 Corinthians 12:8-10}

In Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth, he addressed the problem of an improper understanding regarding the use of spiritual gifts. Brethren were saying that one gift was more important than another. Paul corrected their misunderstanding, teaching them that all the gifts work together for the good of all. Notice that a person who had the gift of tongues needed another gift-"interpretation of tongues." Why?

Unless the "tongues" were understood, they did not profit the church. "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." {1 Corinthians 14:27,28} If the "tongue" can't be understood, it should not be spoken!

Today, so-called "tongue speakers" speak in gibberish and non-understandable sounds. This is not the gift of tongues taught and practiced in the Bible. Also, no one can interpret these "tongues," so why should they be spoken? Add to this the fact that "spiritual gifts" have ceased. Today, we have God's full revelation (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Conclusion-today, man cannot, and is not asked to by God, speak in tongues!