Question

Answer

In context, Paul is addressing the abuse of the gift of tongues, primarily the false gift of tongues, which is nothing but babble--not a "known language" as was the original and only true gift of tongues.  But what he is saying in verse 19, is that five intelligible words in the language of the people is better than 10,000 words of babble (obvious), or even 10,000 words in a known tongue that the people don't know (i.e., if I had the true gift of tongues, say the ability to speak fluent Russian without ever having learned it, but tried to exercise that gift in a local church in New Jersey, then it would not help the people who only understand English.

Today's "Tongue Movement," in the Charismatic/Pentecostal churches, is nothing but false doctrine inspired by Satan and the demons.  Jesus said that the only unforgivable sin is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, which in context, was to attribute to Satan that which is of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32).  What the Charismatics/Pentecostals are doing is "almost" the same thing, in that they are attributing to the Holy Spirit that which is of Satan--this is a very serious sin, and one that the Charismatics/Pentecostals need to repent of. This is "not" the unpardonable sin, however, it is claiming that the Holy Spirit is responsible for that which is the work of Satan and the demons.  It is a very serious thing to blame the Holy Spirit for such foolishness as "holy laughter," "Slaying in the Spirit," "speaking in gibberish," and the latest foolishness called, "Vomiting in the Spirit." As Christians we need to confront our Charismatic/Pentecostal brothers and sisters in this sin, just as we would for any other unrepented sin (Matthew 18, Galatians 6:1).

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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