WHAT DOES SPEAKING IN TONGUE MEAN?

The above question has become germane in view of the misconception about the subject matter. It goes without saying that speaking in tongue has been bastardised by modern-day Christians, particularly in Nigeria. Speaking in tongue is an evidence of being baptised in the Holy Ghost. It is the heavenly language. Trust Nigerians.

There is nothing they cannot fake or falsify. It is, therefore, not surprising that some clowns and fraudsters, masquerading as ministers of God, have elected to fabricate their version of speaking in tongue.

How are they fabricating it today? They now teach members of their churches how to speak in tongue. But what does the Bible say on this? That speaking in tongue is done as the Spirit of God gives us utterance. What this means is that those who are genuinely baptised in the Holy Ghost, speak the language unconsciously.However, many Christians today speak in tongue consciously.

For instance, in one of these churches where perming of hair by pastors is a tradition and a hallmark of their calling, members are told to always speak in tongue whenever they are in difficult situations. This is a monumental and egregious blunder, which is at variance with the Bible. That is why we now see every Tom, Dick and Harry, speaking in the tongue of the devil in the name of speaking the heavenly language. Little wonder then that there is no power in what they say. They claim they are baptised in the Holy Ghost, yet they are afraid of an ordinary cockroach. They are baptised in the Holy Ghost but they cannot preach a good salvation message. In fact, most of them don't even have any message other than asking members to sow the seed of faith so that they can prosper in business.

For the benefit of those who hanker after genuine baptism in the Holy Ghost, which is the third Christian experience after salvation and sanctification, you have to desire and pray earnestly for it. And once you are baptised, the evidence is speaking in an unknown tongue. The essence of the Lord, bestowing this experience on us is to enable us to do exploit for Him, particularly in soul winning. A Christian who is baptised in the Holy Ghost is a terror to the kingdom of the devil and a battle axe of the Lord.

According to 1Corinthians 14, ministers who are genuinely baptised in the Holy Ghost are not supposed to cause confusion in the church of God in the name of ministering in tongue. They make a show of the experience, which they acquired through learning, by speaking in tongue in all their ministrations. They do this in a bid to deceive unsuspecting worshippers that they are heavily anointed. These gullible worshippers part with their hard-earned money in form of offering at regular intervals during such ministrations.

For these ministers, Apostle Paul has this counsel: '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. Even as so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore, let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.'

'For if I pray in an unknown tongue; my spirit prayeth; but my understanding is unfruitful. 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. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God' (Verses11-14, 19, 27 and 28).