TDS52 said:
I think if everyone would do an intensive study on the church of Corinth, they would find it to be one of the most spiritually immature churches to which Paul wrote. There was always confusion among them. The tongues were languages..the miracle was not in the ability to speak, but that everyone, being from different nationalities, heard the message given in their own language and understood...the unknown was made known. Why is it that the gift of tongues is sought more than any other gift? Personally, I and many others have more difficulty with the tongue we have, so why seek another? Study James' account on the tongue...no one goes there, why? (James 1: 26-27; James 3:1-18). Also , if researched in detail you will find that the modern day tongues movement was begun by a woman, if the women are to "...keep silence in the churches:for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they learn any thing let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church." (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). These verses follow some of the verses given in previous posts about the unknown tongue and interpretation. If the women were silent, the tongues would cease. There are so many good gifts given to believers that benefit them and others more than the gift of tongues, it would be better to pray for them and pray that the Lord would help us bridle/get control of our own.
You have made some good points, but don't confuse the carnal tongue with the spirtual tongues.
1Corinthians 13:11*
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
We should desire all the Spiritual Gifts according to 1Cor. 14:1 . What do you think it indicates when we don't?
1Corinthians14:1-5
1*Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2*For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3*But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4*He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5*I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Do you consider your faith to be important?
Jude 20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.
How about when our understanding is limited in a situation?
Romans 8:26&27
26*Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
You made reference to James 3:1-18
James 3:7&8*
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8*but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
I find it kind of amazing that when one seeks a deeper walk and receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that in many cases the first thing to take place is God controls what man cannot.
The spiritual Gifts of the Holy Spirit are just that. They are not natural talents. They are given to the Body of Christ to accomplish the will and purpose of God our Father. The root of ignoring, discrediting or claiming that the spitritual Gifts have ceased, comes from man trying to accomplish the will and purpose of God on his own, which is impossible.