While browsing in a Christian bookstore, I strolled into the section with charismatic literature, and picked up a booklet by Kenneth Hagin entitled 7 Vital steps to Receiving the Holy Spirit. Chapter two of this booklet is entitled “10 Reasons why every believer should speak in tongues.” From Mr. Hagins ten reasons why one should speak in tongues, I want us to see ten reasons why no believer must speak in tongues. I pray that you will discover the weakness and lack of proper Scriptural understanding Mr. Hagin has in defending why every believer should speak in tongues. His opinion has no true scriptural basis, and for all of you who hold on to your tongue speaking experience, please take careful heed to the Word of God. As I read this pamphlet, I must say that Mr. Hagin makes a point, drifts from the point he is trying to make, and then makes an unrelated point. He rambles and quotes verses without explaining the context and the meaning. I will do my best to represent what he says and then refute his faulty reasoning with the Bible. The charismatic issue has spread untold confusion to the modern day church. An experience of speaking in tongues in some circles of the charismatic orbit has almost become synonymous to salvation and going to heaven. The false teachers of the Faith Movement, men like Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Kenneth Copeland and others have furthered these false teachings.
1. Tongues is not the Initial Sign The first reason Hagin says every believer ought to speak with tongues is it the "INITIAL SIGN." Hagin says, "The Word of God teaches that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance." This is a total denial of all the Bible teaches on the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Tongues speaking in the Book of Acts occurs three times. In Acts 2 on Pentecost, in Acts 10 at the house of Cornelius, and in Acts 19 in Ephesus. Each of these occurrences Jews were present and the Gospel was being introduced to a new group of people. Tongues’ speaking never was done by every believer as a sign that one was filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 16:14, Lydia was saved, and she did not speak in tongues. In Acts 16:34 the Philippian jailer was saved along with his house, and they did not speak in tongues. In Acts 17:34 Dionysius and Damaris believed in Athens, and they did not speak in tongues. Acts 18:8 Crispus the ruler of the synagogue was saved, and he did not speak in tongues. There was no evidence of tongue speaking in Antioch, Acts 11 where they were called Christians first. To say because God gave the gift of tongues to the early church (to authenticate His Gospel to the Jewish nation and to warn of a coming judgment) and that he must do this all the time is to put God in a bottle. That is to say, because God led Israel during Moses’ day with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, must he lead you today with these visible manifestations? NO! He opened up the Red Sea for Moses and the Jordan River for Joshua, must he open up the East River or the Hudson River on your way to work for you to believe that He is still the powerful God of heaven and earth? I looked up the phrase "filled with the Holy Ghost." It appears eight times in Scripture, and only once does it occur in conjunction with speaking in tongues. Acts 4:8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said...Acts 4:31: They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.Acts 13:9: Then Saul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said... Again, Mr. Hagin quotes Mr. Howard Carter, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God of Great Britain for 19 years, "that we must not forget that speaking with other tongues is not only the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling; it is the continual experience for the rest of one's life." That is utterly ridiculous! It is like saying just because Samson was filled with the Holy Spirit and slew a lion, that the initial evidence and the continual experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit is for us to slay lions! What is the initial sign of the Holy Spirit's indwelling? A believer has conviction of sin, a boldness to speak the Word of God (Acts 1:8; 4:31), and manifests the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). Speaking in tongues was a sign gift to the nation of Israel of coming judgment. It was not an initial sign, it was a sign to Israel as a nation, 1 Corinthians 14:21,22: In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord, wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe." To say that speaking in tongues is the initial sign is false. You do not need to speak in tongues to display the initial sign!
2. Tongues is not for the edification of yourself In Mr. Hagin's second point, he says that tongues "is a means of spiritual edification, or building up the believer spiritually." Hagin quotes 1 Corinthians 14:2 and 14. He makes two points in this section:
1. Tongues is for self-edification
2. Tongues is a way we communicate to God in a supernatural way First, every spiritual gift was given so that others could be edified. The one with the gift of giving gave to edify and build up another person in need. The one with the gift of exhortation practiced his gift to exhort others. A gift is something you give to someone else. People think they can go into a church service and speak in tongues to edify themselves! This is an abuse and misuse of the gift, and that is the whole point of Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 14:1-5. The overall context of 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 is the uselessness of uninterpreted tongues in a public church service. Private prayer is not part of Paul's discussion. In verse 2 Paul uses godly sarcasm to say, if a person is speaking in tongues and the tongues is not being interpreted, he is just speaking to God. In a public church service we are to edify others as well as speak to God. Verse three makes Paul's point clear, for the one who prophecies and is able to be understood speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies only himself, but he that prophecies edifieth the church. The point is, you are not supposed to speak in tongues to edify yourself. The purpose of tongues or any spiritual gift is to edify others. If tongues in the early church went without interpretation, Paul is saying "what shall I profit you." Yes, you might be self-edified, but the church will not be, therefore it is useless and senseless. He also quotes v.14. “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Mr. Hagin only emphasizes one phrase ignoring Paul's main point he makes so well. Mr. Hagin says when you pray in tongues "My spirit prayeth. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God..." Yes, but what does Paul really say? When you pray in tongues that are not interpreted, your spirit prays, but your understanding is unfruitful! So what does the next verse say, "I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also." In other words, when you pray in your own language, you also pray in the spirit and better yet, with your understanding! We do not need a "supernatural" means to talk to God, we need to thoughtfully tell God our requests. Mr. Hagin is not being honest with the Word of God. He makes it sound as if you must pray in tongues in order to pray with your spirit. This is false. When you pray to God in your own language, in the name of Jesus and beg access into His presence by the blood he shed, you pray with the spirit and with your understanding. This is superior to prayer without any understanding of what you are saying!
3. Tongues is not needed to remind you of the Spirit's presence Mr. Hagin says that tongues "reminds us of the Spirit's indwelling presence." He goes on to say, "if you take time to fellowship with Him, speaking in tongues and praying, you can be conscious of His indwelling presence, and you will not do or say things you will regret later." I need to be reading the Bible and praying with my spirit and understanding to be conscious of God's presence. There is no where in Scripture that says that the purpose of tongues was so that I would be reminded of God's presence. Again, tongues was a sign gift and gifts always brought edification to others. As a child of God, I am reminded by the Spirit's presence every moment of the day, for He is in me to never leave or forsake me.
4. Praying in tongues is not needed to pray in line with God's perfect will Mr Hagin is not using the Bible to prove his points, but his own faulty human reasoning. The mention of tongues is only mentioned in Mark, Acts, and 1 Corinthians. In Mark and Acts, tongues is not mentioned in conjunction with prayer. Paul does relate praying in tongues in the context of public church services. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Eph.6:18) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil.4:6) Whereas prayer is constantly emphasized in Scripture, prayers in tongues in our private devotions is NEVER MENTIONED. And a host of other verses, tongues is never mentioned in reference to my prayer life. One does not need to pray in tongues to pray in line with God’s will. One must pray in a way that they are led by the Holy Spirit in the requests they ask of God. The Bible says no where that we are to pray in tongues in our closet or private devotion. Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 14 has nothing to do with our private devotions, but only with the public assembly of the church. He is saying that when you pray in a church service, pray so everyone can understand, including yourself. Also, just because someone in the early church had the gift of tongues, it did not mean they could interpret these tongues. This argues against praying in tongues all by yourself, because you will not know what you are praying about, and then you will not know whether God answers your prayers! What about Romans 8:26? "But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Mr. Hagin does some tricky addition to our Bible when he quotes an alleged "Greek scholar" and says that it could read the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered in articulate speech." This could include "groanings" but also "other tongues." Now, let's be honest with the Bible, and read what is there rather than READ IN what is not there! False doctrine comes when we READ IN what is not there! Sound doctrine comes when we let the Bible speak for itself. First, tongues is no where described as groanings in our New Testament. Was Peter groaning at Pentecost or at Cornelius' house? NO! Second, according to Greek scholars I know, “groanings which cannot be uttered” means "unable to be spoken." You know what it is to groan. OHHHHHHHHHH! But the Holy Spirit’s groans are not able to be given any utterance. Third, tongues was a language that you had not studied but were given the gift to speak. Therefore, praying in tongues is praying in articulate speech that would have to be interpreted!
5. You do not need to pray in tongues to stimulate faith Mr. Hagin says, Praying in tongues stimulates faith. Here, Mr. Hagin quotes Jude 20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost...” He says, "This is conclusive proof. Praying in tongues helps and stimulates my faith." His argument is full of holes! Tongues is not mentioned in Jude! Again, this is a classic example of READING INTO THE BIBLE WHAT JUST IS NOT THERE. God was perfectly capable of directing His inspired writers to say "Praying in tongues in the Holy Ghost" if that is what He wanted them to say. They did not say it, so do not tell me they did! Praying in the Spirit is praying with a heart submitted and yielded to the Holy Spirit, praying with the attitude, “Not my will, but thine be done,” and then allowing God to put into your heart His desires and then making them your desires. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. The Word of God stimulates faith. Prayer does build up my faith, but prayer according to the will of God. In other words, I pray and ask specific requests of the Lord. When He answers those specific requests, then I know He has answered, and my faith is strengthened. 1 John 5:14, 15: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Praying over specific requests is hard work, and requires much spiritual discipline. To just babble and cackle in your prayers does not take any spiritual effort at all! God wants our whole body, soul, mind and spirit engaged in prayer. That is praying in the Spirit, when the whole of our life is surrendered to the Lord. God also forbids vain repetition (Matthew 6:7). For those of you who pray in tongues, let me ask you, do you just offer vain repetitions?
6. You do not need to pray in tongues to be free from worldly contaminations Mr. Hagin says, “Praying in tongues is a means of keeping free from worldly contaminations.” There is no where in the Bible where this is taught, so Mr. Hagin rips 1 Corinthians 14:28 out of its context to say what he wants. This verse is given as a rule for tongue speaking that if there is no one to interpret the tongue, be quiet! It has only to do with the public services of the church, nothing to do with my daily walk of purity before God. We have the Holy Spirit to keep us free from worldly contaminations, we have the Word of God, we have the Blood of Christ, and we have the local church, to name a few of God’s means of grace for us to overcome sin. 2 Peter 1:4 says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” We are to memorize the Bible, and this takes conscious effort and work. The thing that frightens me about the modern day charismatic movement is they want to put their minds into neutral and just babble their way through trials and temptations that come upon us! God wants us to exercise ourselves unto godliness. We are to gird up the loins of our mind and use our mind, not put it into neutral.
7. Praying in tongues does not enable us to pray for the unknown Mr. Hagin says, “Praying in tongues enables us to pray for the unknown.” He again quotes Romans 8:26 to try to prove this point. The fact is this: you do not need to pray in tongues to pray for the unknown, for every tomorrow is unknown! We can pray with our understanding, our mind, our spirit, for tomorrow. Be as specific as possible. Engage your mind and spirit, and ask God to guide, keep, prosper your path in words you can understand! To say that we must pray in tongues to pray for the unknown is ludicrous.
8. Praying in tongues is not needed to be spiritually refreshed Mr. Hagin says that praying in tongues gives spiritual refreshment. I have been refreshed many times in my life without speaking in tongues. I have been refreshed by praying with others, by attending church, by reading my Bible, by praying by myself, and I have never spoken in tongues. 9. Praying in tongues is not needed to give thanks perfectly Mr. Hagin says, "By praying in tongues, you give thanks perfectly. He quotes again from 1 Corinthians 14:15-17. If only Mr. Hagin knew what Paul was saying! Paul is simply saying in these verses, when you give thanks, do it in such a way that others can give thanks with you. Paul is correcting the abuses of uninterpreted tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. If you give thanks in a language that others do not understand, "The other is not edified."
10. Speaking in tongues is not needed to bring the tongue under subjection Mr. Hagin says, “Speaking in tongues brings the tongue under subjection.” He quotes James 3:8, But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Here, James is using the word tongue to describe our physical tongue and that we use our physical tongue to frame words which often hurt others. James does not say we are to speak in tongues to tame our tongue. He does say we are to yield ourselves to God. James does not mention speaking in other languages. Mr. Hagin is a key leader in the faith movement today and he has done much to popularize tongues speaking. He has done this with faulty exegesis that reads into the Scripture what is not there, and by not properly evaluating the overall context of the passage. He ignores the context of the main doctrinal passage of tongues speaking, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and he reads tongue speaking into many other passages where it is not even being discussed, Jude 20, Romans 8:26, James 3:8, and others.