1 Corinthians 14:39–40 states: “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” Despite this clear biblical directive, many Christian denominations either downplay or outright reject the practice of speaking in tongues. This opposition raises a profound question: Is Satan working through these denominations to stop believers from engaging in this spiritual gift?
The Biblical Mandate for Speaking in Tongues
The New Testament provides ample evidence of the importance of speaking in tongues as a spiritual practice. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (Acts 2:1–4). It’s important to note that the gift of tongues differs from the gift of interpretation. The former is a personal prayer language, while the latter is the ability to interpret tongues for the benefit of the church. This event signified the birth of the Christian church and the empowerment of believers through the Holy Spirit. Paul further elaborates on using tongues in his letters to the Corinthians, emphasizing that it is a gift for personal improvement and a means of communing with God (1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14–15).
Denominational Opposition: A Sinful Rebellion?
Many denominations, such as the Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, and many more, hold theological views that either dismiss or de-emphasize the practice of speaking in tongues. This stance is a rebellion against God’s explicit command through the Apostle Paul. By opposing the practice of speaking in tongues, these denominations may be aligning themselves with Satan, the author of chaos, rebellion, and confusion.
The Role of Satan
Satan’s primary objective is to sow discord and lead believers away from God’s truth. By influencing denominations to forbid or minimize the practice of speaking in tongues, he effectively creates a barrier between believers and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. This strategy of division and confusion is reminiscent of Satan’s tactics throughout biblical history, where he seeks to undermine God’s directives and lead people astray.
The Implications of Rebellion
When denominations oppose the explicit biblical instruction not to forbid speaking in tongues, they disobey a command and reject a means of accessing divine knowledge and wisdom. This rebellion has several significant implications:
- Spiritual Stagnation: By neglecting to speak in tongues, believers miss out on an essential means of personal edification and spiritual growth. This stagnation leads to a lukewarm faith, as condemned in Revelation 3:16.
- Division and Confusion: Denominational opposition to speaking in tongues creates division within the body of Christ. This division contradicts Jesus’ teaching that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:24). If Christ is truly the head of the church,. Any opposition to His directives can only be seen as allegiance to another head—Satan.
- Questioning Allegiance: By openly rebelling against Scripture, denominations must examine their allegiance. Are they following God and His Word, or are they succumbing to Satan’s influence? This critical question demands introspection and a return to biblical fidelity.
The Call for Repentance
A profound shift is necessary for denominations to align with God’s will. This shift involves several key steps:
- Theological Re-Evaluation: Denominations must re-examine their theological positions on the gifts of the Spirit. This re-evaluation should be grounded in a thorough study of Scripture, acknowledging the ongoing relevance of speaking in tongues.
- Education and Emphasis: Church leaders should educate their congregations about the biblical basis and benefits of speaking in tongues. This education should emphasize that tongues are a gift for every believer and a means of deepening one’s relationship with God.
- Encouragement of Practice: Churches should create an environment that encourages speaking in tongues, both in private devotion and, when appropriate, in corporate worship. This encouragement should reflect Paul’s instruction for order and decency (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Conclusion
The question of whether Satan is working through denominations to stop believers from speaking in tongues is a serious one.
The biblical mandate is clear: “Do not forbid speaking with tongues.” Yet, many denominations openly reject or minimize this practice, leading to spiritual stagnation, division, and confusion.
This rebellion against God’s directive suggests an alignment with Satan, the author of chaos and rebellion.
Denominations must repent and fully embrace all spiritual gifts to rectify this, including speaking in tongues.
By doing so, they can ensure that they are following Christ, the actual head of the church, and not succumbing to Satan’s deceptive influence.
Aligning with Scripture enables believers to experience God’s presence and power in their lives, fulfilling the call to “let all things be done decently and in order.” Embracing the gift of tongues also leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, a greater understanding of His Word, and a more vibrant and dynamic church community.
