More than one person might be inclined to pose the question, “Well, all of this is well and good but what about my private prayer language? When I pray in my private prayer language, I am not violating Scripture since it's just me. After all, I am not doing it in the church. So what's the problem? What about a private prayer language?” This is an important question. This question, however, must be clarified with a question. “What is a private prayer language?” Some would argue that it is a form of speaking in tongues. Given the context of the Holy Spirit’s discussion of “If I pray in a tongue…” we understand that the employment of a private prayer language is speaking in tongues, the difference being that one is doing so alone. The concept of private prayer language comes from what the Spirit communicated through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. As is always the case with reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying a verse of Scripture, we must look at the verse in context.
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. 13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue (1Co 14:12-19).
As you consider this passage, ask yourself this question, “Just what is the point of the Spirit’s discussion? What has the Spirit moved Paul to write and why? What is the focus of this passage? A thoughtful read of this passage (indeed all of chapters 12-14) reveals that God wants our worship practices to focus around the good of others. We are to engage in other oriented worship practices. In verse 12, the unruly and self-oriented church at Corinth is exhorted and admonished to be more concerned with the edification (the building up) of others than the display of their gifts. Beginning in verse 13 the Spirit commands that the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he provide interpretation. This is not optional. Therefore, the Spirit, speaking through the pen of Paul indicates that one who speaks in a tongue should desire to know what he or she is saying. Why is this? His action, or manifestation of such a gift, should be for the good of others. Only this should be the speaker’s motive. Otherwise, the Spirit (and the Apostle) would not give such a command: “13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret (1Co 14:13).” Consider what God says, in His word, in verses 14-17. He says that if one speaks, prays, or sings in a tongue without knowing what he is saying, “What good does it do?”
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified (1Co 14:14-17).
Consider that this conversation hearkens back to all we have discussed thus far, as it prepares us to think biblically about what some would describe as “my private prayer language.” Perhaps I should mention here that my wife and I came out of a charismatic background as new believers.
During my early Christian life, I was a follower of Ken and Gloria Copeland. Moreover, when I began to seek Christ, the first church I visited was the Orlando Christian Center, in Orlando, Florida, where Benny Hinn was the senior pastor. My wife came to Christ at a third wave, full gospel, charismatic church in Atlanta, Georgia, pastored by a man named Chuck Strong. It was there she was “taught” to speak in tongues. Once, during a family crisis, where my brother was tottering on the verge of death from AIDS, my wife asked if she could go privately and pray in tongues. I granted my permission. Looking back, I have to ask myself, “What was I thinking?” Did I believe God was more pleased with prayer in a “private prayer language” than in English?
The language of private prayers is “tongues."What is the purpose of a private prayer language? I ask the same question as the Spirit asks through the Apostle Paul, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then (1Co 14:14-15)?
“What is the outcome then…” means “what good is it?” If tongues were for a sign to the unbeliever, then what is the outcome of one’s private prayer language? If one prays and does not understand then one’s mind is unfruitful---unedified. What is the outcome then? What good is it?
At the same time, if one prays in a tongue and understands (i.e. his mind is fruitful) why not pray in the mother tongue that God assigned you when He selected to town, county, state, and nation of your birth, along with your parents? What good is it to do otherwise? After all, tongues are for a sign to the unbeliever. That much is certain:
20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad (1Co 14:20-23)?
It is bad enough when churches, like Corinth, spoke in tongues in an ungodly way, without order and unbelievers thought them mad. However, God says it is just as bad to exercise our gifts in other ways He does not approve. Tongues are a sign for the unbeliever. Where does this fit in to the concept of a private prayer language? One is hard pressed to make such a case from Scripture.
Let us be careful not to attempt to read things into Scripture and impose our desires on the text. Trying to make the case for a private prayer language, when all things are to be done for the edification of the church and tongues are a sign for the unbeliever, from an isolated verse or two. This is a danger the cults face. Remember, as we earlier discussed, the Mormons baptize by proxy for dead people calling it “baptism for the dead” by pulling 1 Corinthians 15:29 out of context and reading their preference into the verse. Advocates of a private prayer language seem to be guilty of a similar practice. The same can be said of those who insist that some tongues are angelic language. These well intended people, brothers, and sisters take a passages like 1 Corinthians 13:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:14 and draw conclusions based upon insufficient data and while ignoring the context.
For a better understanding of these passages, we are forced to delve into aspects of the Koine Greek, the original language of the New Testament. Granted few people read or are functionally in Greek (and Hebrew) and for this reason little emphasis has been placed on them. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that the statements in 1 Corinthians 13 and 14, to which we refer are in the subjunctive mood. Why is this important? This is important because some would argue that Paul (or the Holy Spirit) rather than taking time to identify who and who did not have the gift of tongues at Corinth (since not all Christians receive this gift) chose instead to make a number of “if-statements.” Thus, the subjunctive is employed. An “if statement” not to be crass choose not to argue fact but possibility: “If pigs could fly they would have wings.” The subjunctive mood is the mood of possibility, that something might be possible. Thus, rather than debate the issue, all its potential permutations, and challenge individually every individual at Corinth who claimed the gift, Paul, rather, the Holy Spirit, choosing not to waste the space seems to say, in effect, “If….then it must be done this way…” effectively legislating and regulating the false practitioners into silence:
13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful… 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad…26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized (1Co 14:13-37).
Any one noting the “let’s” and the “must’s” becomes aware of the commands (imperative mood) and the “if’s” reveal the subjunctive mood. Rather than debate who is and who is not gifted, or whether there is a private prayer language, the Spirit gives commands strongly regulating tongues, with the strongest of warnings at the end: “37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized (1Co 14:37-38).” Thoughtfully consider Those who ignore the regulations and limitations God puts on speaking in tongues (or prophecy) in these chapters are not to be recognized as legitimately representing Him, or employing a gift in accordance with His will, a will expressed with such clarity here in His word.
So, what about a private prayer language, or an angelic language? Tongues are for a sign to unbelievers so that they can hear the word of God in their language and respond:
8 "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?
9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God. 14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words…36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls (Act 2:8-41).
I would suggest the value of a private prayer language is small, if not entirely inconsequential compared to the salvation of souls. The Holy Spirit puts it this way:
18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature (1Co 14:18-20).
As you reflect upon these things, ask and answer these questions before God, in your mind.
ONE: If the Holy Spirit says that tongues are for a sign to the unbeliever, then, biblically speaking, where does speaking in a private prayer language, or in an angelic language fit in to the equation? After all, if you seem to be babbling in an unintelligible way, will the hearer not think you are mad?
TWO: When people reveal, “I have a private prayer language,” are they giving glory to God, or someone else? If it is private, then why make it public?
THREE: Since God, the Holy Spirit, puts strict limitations on the display of tongue and warns that those who ignore these strictures are not to be taken seriously, what should we think of churches and pastors who allow several people, or groups of people, to speak in tongues all at the same time?
This last question brings us to a final consideration on tongues, “How tongues?” Biblically speaking, “What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues in God’s church?” In other words, “Does the Bible teach that there is a wrong way and a right way?”
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills (1Co 12:6-11).
In short the Spirit of God speaking through the Apostle Paul, tells us that God gives certain gifts to certain people to be used “as He wills.” Too many people seem to forget this and seek, as did the unruly church at Corinth, to employ the gifts as they will.
Has God given us instruction on the use of gifts? Yes, He has. At the risk of repeating myself, let’s revisit 1 Corinthians 14.
23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you. 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret (1Co 14:23-27).
If no one can interpret, or if two or three have already spoken, the one who desires to speak in tongues must remain silent. No one is to speak in tongues unless he can be certain that he, or someone else will interpret. Moreover, if God’s quota has been met, then all others with the gift must remain silent. How serious is God about these things? Consider what God has to say through Paul:
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized (1Co 14:37-38).
Those who are apt to disobey God’s commands are not to be taken seriously: “he is not recongnized.”
Some will bristle or resist what we have pointed out from Scripture. Many, unhappy with what the word of God has to say about their lives or practices seek, as does the cult of Mormonism seeking to justify proxy baptism for the dead, a verse, or part of a verse, they might employ to take issue with the crystal clear teaching of God’s word. This ought not to be. Finding obscure verses or phrases or less clear phrases in no way compromises the clarity of clearer passages. Humility, like love for God and His word, requires a believer to obey the clear passages without attempting to muddy up the waters, or seek escape clauses so that he or she may have occasion to disobey God.
PS: We will post again on or before 8/21/2009
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