Much is made over the spiritual gift of "tongues" today - especially in charismatic churches where it is a prerequisite to "being saved." Hardly anyone stops to think that arguing about the merit of "tongues" is unproductive and has nothing to do with salvation, but also that it is the only spiritual gift that can be faked - which many do as they stand there and "babble" unintelligbly in their respective congregations. Spiritual tongues are listed last on the gifts list for a reason, because as Rav Shaul himself says, he would rather speak five words of sense than ten thousand words in a tongue:

1 Corinthians 14: 18. I thank Elohim that I speak with tongues more than all of you. 19. But in the assembly, I would rather speak five words with my (spiritual) understanding, that I might instruct others, than a myriad of words in a tongue.

The questions we must face are the following: [1] What does the Bible mean when it says one of the spiritual gifts is tongues? [2] Does this gift have a time limit, in other words, has its use ceased to exist? [3] Do demons speak in tongues, too? If so, how can Christians tell what is from God and what is from the devil? [4] What did God intend tongues to accomplish?

QUESTION 1: What exactly is the spiritual gift of "tongues"?

Isaiah 8:19-20: ¹⁹ And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? ²⁰ To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (NKJ)

• whisper in Hebrew = tsaphaph: coo, chatter, whisper, peep
  
• mutter in Hebrew = hagah: murmur, mourn, mutter, speak, utter

Isaiah 66:18 "For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. (NKJ)

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (NKJ)

• tongues in Greek and Hebrew = language
  
• utterance in Greek = to enunciate plainly, declare, say, speak forth, utterance

RESPONSE:

1: Tongues must be understood to be plainly enunciated language. Tongues is not spoken noises, sounds, or muttered syllables, which is demonic delusion. See Isaiah 8:19-20.

2: On Pentecost, YHWH filled the disciples with the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit), which was evidenced when visible fire was seen over the heads of the crowd of believers, a sound of a wind storm was literally heard, and the disciples spoke out loud in various known human languages about the great things of God.

Acts 2: 6. And when that sound occurred, all the people gathered and were rioting because they were hearing each man among them who were speaking in their own language. 7. Now they were astonished, all of them, and wondered while they were saying one-to-another, "Can't grasp it!" These, all of them who are speaking, are Galileans. 8. "How do we hear, we each man the tongue in which we were born?" 9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who dwell in Beth-Nahrin, and Cappadocians, and those from the areas of Pontus, and of Asia. 10. And those from the areas of Phrygia, and of Pamphylia, and of Egypt, and of the areas of Libya that are near to Cryene, and those who have come from Rome - Jews and proselytes. 11. And those from Crete, and Arabians. "Behold we are hearing from them that they are proclaiming the wonders of Elohim in our language!" 12. And they were astonished, and all of them were amazed while saying one-to-another, "What's happening?" (AENT)

3: Aramaic word construction makes it plain the disciples continued with the ability to speak these languages without previous knowledge or study of them. This was a spiritual gift from God, not human learning.

4: 1 Corinthians shows that when the Ruach manifests itself, we truly have the ability to, for instance, understand the language; we don't just utter words we cannot comprehend.

1 Corinthians 12: 7. And to each man, there is given a manifestation of the Spirit, that it may help him. 8. To one, by the Spirit, there is given a word of wisdom; and to another, by the same Spirit, there is given a word of knowledge: 9. To another, by the same Spirit, faith: to another, by the same Spirit, gifts of healing: 10. And to another, miracles: and to another, prophecy: and to another, the discerning of spirits: and to another, (diverse) kinds of tongues: and to another, the interpretation of tongues. (AENT)

• manifestation in Greek = exhibition, expression

1 Corinthians 12: 1. And concerning spiritual matters, my Brothers, I would have you know, 2. That you have been pagans; and have been, without distinction, led away after idols in which there is no speech. 3. I therefore explain to you, that there is no man that speaks by the Spirit of Elohim, who says that Y'shua is accursed: neither can a man say that Y'shua is Master YHWH, except by the Ruach haKodesh.[1] (Aramaic English New Testament (AENT)

Footnote: [1] Simple and beautiful, yet perhaps the most powerful statement of belief in all of Rav Shaul's letters. A declaration of such magnitude as this most certainly demands original Hebrew and Aramaic to comprehend the fullness of such a bold statement and revelation.

1 Corinthians 12: 11. But all these works that one Spirit; and He distributes to everyone according to His will (AENT)

If anyone insists they have the gift of tongues but cannot verify that it is a spoken human language, then it is not the Acts 2, Ruach filled language gift. It is either a mental invention or a satanic deception.

QUESTION 2: Is tongues a gift that is no longer being given by God?

Some suggest 1 Corinthians 13:8 demands that tongues stopped when the New Testament revelation of God was written, basing their thoughts on these words: Love will never cease. But prophesying will end; and tongues will be stopped; and knowledge will disappear. 9. For we know but partially; and we prophesy but partially. 10. But when completeness [1] will come, then that which is partial will disappear.

Footnote: [1] The word here, gemirota, can also mean "perfection." It is, in fact, the same word used by Jewish sages to name a portion of the Talmud, namely the Gemara.

RESPONSE:

When we are in heaven, we will not need God's special gifts, such as the gift of tongues; tongues will not be necessary to glorify YHWH and reach the lost. This is final complete perfection, or completion.

YHWH only appeared in a burning bush once, spoke to a man through a donkey once and parted the Red Sea once. Because God glorifies Himself by giving someone the ability to speak a foreign language does not mean that everyone can or is supposed to. The key is God's word: "11. But all these works that one Spirit; and He distributes to everyone according to His will." (1 Corinthians 12:11) Check out verse 30: "Have all of them the gifts of healing? Do they all speak with tongues? Or do they all interpret?" The answer is a resounding NO!

QUESTION 3: Do demons speak in tongues too? If so, how can we tell the difference between demon trickery and Holy Spirit giftedness?

Leviticus 17:7 "They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations."' (NKJ)

1 Corinthians 10: 19. What then do I say? That an idol is anything? Or, that an idol's sacrifice is anything? No. 20. But that what the Gentiles ">[1] sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to Elohim. And I would not that you should be associates of demons. 21. You cannot drink the cup of our Master (Y'shua) and the cup of demons; and you cannot be partakers at the table of our Master, and at the table of demons. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: [1] Actually "Pagans." By calling these people khanpa rather than aimmeh, Rav Shaul is making a clear distinction between the Gentiles who are learning Torah under his leadership from their fellow residents who are still steeped in anti-Torah lies and polytheism.

Luke 4: 33. And in the assembly there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, 34. And said, "Leave me alone! What have we to do with each other Y'shua the Nasraya? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, you are the Set Apart one of Elohim." 35. And Y'shua rebuked him and said, Shut your mouth and come out from him! And the demon threw him down in the midst and departed from him, though he did not harm him at all, 36. And a great amazement seized every man, and they were speaking with one another and saying, "What indeed is this message that with authority and power he commands to unclean spirits and they depart?" (AENT)

1: In Israel demons spoke out of people in the human language they understood; therefore they speak in tongues (languages). They have possessed people for thousands of years and therefore know many languages. In the pagan priests and mediums the demons mystified the crowds with muttering and unclear noises, making it sound like some kind of a secret language which would then be "translated" by false prophets and priests....

2: One way believers are protected from deception is the through the Word of God. If the translation of the message through a qualified language expert is against YHWH or Yeshua it obviously is not from God: "No one speaking by the Spirit of YHWH calls Yeshua accursed."

Isaiah 8: 19 And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (NKJ)

Modern Example: Bill [not real name] a resident of Michigan, was a student in a college in the late 1960's and traveled home on the weekends to attend church with his family. One Sunday afternoon he drove past a "Pentecostal" church and had never been in a service of that type before. Curious, he pulled in and slipped in the back and observed. To his surprise a woman jumped up and began to speak in "tongues" with the whole congregation enjoying God's presence and manifestation. The problem was Bill recognized the "tongues" as French. He was an advanced French student and understood the woman cursing and blaspheming Christ. It scared him and he slipped out the back door and left without a word to anyone there.

QUESTION 4: What did YHWH plan speaking in tongues for?

1 Corinthians 14: 21. In Torah it is written: With a foreign speech, and in another tongue, will I speak with this people; and even so also they will not hear and obey me, says Master YHWH. 22. Wherefore, tongues are established for a sign, not to the believers, but to them that do not believe. But prophecies are not for those who disbelieve, but for them that believe. (AENT)

1 Peter 4:10 10. And let each of you minister to his associates the gift which he have received from Elohim; as being good stewards of the manifold grace of Elohim. 11. Whoever will speak, let him speak as the Word of Elohim: and whoever will minister, as of the ability that Elohim have given him: so that in all you do, Elohim may be glorified through Y'shua the Mashiyach to whom belongs glory and honor forever and ever. Amen. (AENT)

RESPONSE:

1: Rav Sha'ul/Paul spends a lot of time explaining to the church at Corinth that the most important thing to God is self-sacrificing love to one another, not using selfish religious practices to build themselves up. He gives a long explanation of agape love [1 Corinthians 13], and then applies love to spiritual gifts [1 Corinthians 14]. In a local church of people with all the same language, a gift of tongues could only be used in a selfish manner. Once he got this point established, he made this clear statement: "Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; ..." This statement kills the theory that speaking in tongues is for personal use or spiritual edification of the church. Tongues is for one purpose: to minister to the lost unbelievers. This is exactly what YHWH used tongues for in Acts 2. Spiritual gifts are never designed for selfish use; "minister it to one another" is obviously to serve someone else.

2: In a local area with mostly the same language spoken, the only way tongues could be used to serve and minister to others would be through an interpreter. Without an interpreter love is not being expressed to anyone.

1 Corinthians 14:: 26. I therefore say (to you) my Brothers, that when you assemble, whoever of you has a psalm, let him speak; and whoever has a doctrine, and whoever has a revelation, and whoever has a tongue, and whoever has an interpretation. Let them all be for edification. 27. And if any speak in a tongue, let two speak or at most, three; and let them speak one by one; and let (some) one interpret. 28. And if there is none to interpret, let him that speaks in a tongue, be silent in the assembly; and let him speak to himself and to Elohim. (AENT)

Please don't this is a a license to speak in tongues in your closet instead of prayer! It is to stop worthless chatter and noise in a congregation. Besides, have you ever noticed that all the interpretations given in tongues-speaking circles are "secret messages from God," and not words to God? Paul says they are all words to God or men. "...if I pray in a tongue...sing with the spirit...bless with the spirit...."

1 Corinthians 14: 6. And now, my Brothers, if I should come among you and speak to you in tongues, what should I profit you; unless I should speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by doctrine? 7. For even inanimate things that emit sound, whether pipe or harp, if they make no distinction between one sound and another, how will it be known what is sung or what is harped? 8. And if the shofar [1] will give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? 9. So likewise if you utter many words in a tongue, and there is no interpretation given, how will it be known what you have said? You will have been as if you spoke into the air. 10. For behold, there are many kinds of tongues in the world; and there is not one of them without meaning. 11. But if I do not know the import of the sound, I will be a barbarian to him that speaks, and the speaker will be a barbarian to me. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: [1] By Israelite custom, a ram's horn (shofar) is blown to gather the people either for festivals or in times of crisis. Technically, however, the word used here is not the direct Aramaic cognate of shoperata, but a synonym, qarna. The interesting aspect to this usage here is that sometimes qarna appears to take on the meaning of a shofar - as it does here by context - and other times, it is a regular secular horn or bugle. Surely though, its usage in the next chapter - 15:52 to be precise - is meant also as "shofar" for we know the shofar is blown when the dead are raised. The reason why qarna is used here and there, however, may be the word's etymology, for its root can also mean "light," and also because it is associated in Aramaic as the "horn (qarna/keren) of salvation" of which raising the dead would certainly qualify.

1 Corinthians 14: 12. So also you, since you are searching for the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the assembly, you seek to excel. 13. And let him that speaks in a tongue, pray that he may interpret. 14. For if I should pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my (spiritual) understanding [1] is without fruits. 15. What then will I do? I will pray with my spirit, and will pray with my understanding; and I will sing with my spirit, and will sing with my understanding. 16. Otherwise, if you bless in the spirit, how will he that fill the place of one unlearned, say Amen on your giving thanks; for he does not know what you say? 17. You bless, indeed, very well; but your neighbor is not edified. 18. I thank Elohim that I speak with tongues more than all of you. 19. But in the assembly, I would rather speak five words with my (spiritual) understanding, that I might instruct others, than a myriad of words in a tongue. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: [1] Derived from da'at, this word represents a kind of heavenly understanding coming out through prayer as opposed to earthly knowledge.

3: There is no evidence or statement given in the Scriptures for the commonly practiced private prayer language theory. No secret angelic unknown language either! Chapter 14:10 makes it clear Paul is thinking of regular human languages. Paul stated he spoke in tongues more than all the believers in the Corinthian church. But, not in a gathering, and not in private because he is the one who said it was to be used for a sign to the lost. The only way he could have spoken "with tongues more than you all" as a sign to the lost would be while he traveled the world preaching in the tongues of the lost people that lived all over the Roman empire. Again this would be a sign to the unbelievers matching the historical experience of Pentecost.

4: In a local assembly such as the church of Corinth illustrates, when believers misuse a spiritual gift, it only brings division into the body and confusion to unsaved guests who speak the same language. "23. If therefore the whole assembly gathers, and they all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons, or those that disbelieve, will they not say: These people are crazy? [1] " [14:23]

FOOTNOTE: [1] In other words, "charismatic" manifestations are not to become such a focal point of identity in the fellowship that they become a stumbling block to those entering the Malchut Elohim.

CONCLUSION: YHWH does not need a spiritual gift exercised to Him. There is no need to speak in tongues to God; He knows all languages and looks at a man's heart and knows our thoughts. 1 Peter 4:10 says He gave spiritual gifts to minister to other people, not Him. There is no need to speak in tongues in a local church full of people of the same language, unless a language interpretation is required. Paul teaches this also. The only clearly Bible stated truth left is what Paul also says: "Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers....". When people can speak Spanish, when never trained, it is a sign of God's power to these people. This is what happened in Acts 2; please re-read it. The Bible answers itself, and Acts 2 proves it.

The following was borrowed from an appendix in the Aramaic English New Testament.

Most believers communicate with Shemayim (heaven) in one way or another, throughout the day. Whether through prayer or just simple silence, we are "testifying" with the thoughts and choices we make; and, whether we realize it or not, every choice affects our relationship with Mashiyach. What we choose to eat, wear, think and do is neither isolated nor irrelevant to the Malchut (Kingdom of) Elohim. Whom we choose as our friends and what we talk about and plan for is all done on the platform of our world view and relationship with YHWH. Each of us is very precious in YHWH's eyes and, just as a loving father or mother who is enthralled with a precious son or daughter, our Heavenly Parent provides counsel and wisdom to those of us who have "ears" to hear.

It is therefore very wise to question everything, to test all things and prove all things - and, most importantly, to hold fast to what is true and become a person of truth. Yet the prophets have warned us, "How do you say, We are wise, and the Torah of YHWH is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes works falsehood. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the Word of YHWH; and what wisdom is in them?" (Jeremiah 8:8, 9) Whatever we read in the Word of YHWH must also be confirmed in our neshama (spirit). We must be open to instruction into our spirits through the Ruach haKodesh and live in favor of the Word of YHWH, instead of allowing wishful or fearful thinking simply because we feel like a small minority in the grand scheme of things. YHWH's Ruach speaks to us as we meditate on His Word and, whether we realize it or not, we all respond - either positively or negatively - through our thoughts and the intents of our hearts.

Whenever we find the Word confusing and difficult to understand it is because our own spirits have not been trained to enter in. It is then that we must realize the need to apply our hearts, minds and souls to listen and hear and DO the Word of YHWH in order to understand. Y'shua taught, "He who desires to do His will can comprehend my teaching, if it is from Elohim, or if from my own will I speak." (John 7:17) When a person believes enough in themselves that YHWH created each one for greatness and purpose then the burden of change rests in choosing to "do His will" rather than being conformed to the modern world's values.

Much confusion occurs when trying to study Scripture through the intellect, when in fact, we needed to listen and apply YHWH's Word which is written upon our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The door to the heart is love and by demonstrating love to YHWH we establish a bond with the Father. When Y'shua said "If you love me, keep my Commandments" (John 14:15), he was speaking in the Spirit of YHWH; therefore, the most powerful way to open up the lines of communication between us and "heaven" is to begin to keep the Commandments.

Perhaps you or someone you know is asking YHWH to reveal His Perfect will for their lives. At this point we can tell them something they will rarely, if ever, hear from the pulpits or magazines: When we choose to be obedient, Torah observant believers in Messiah, YHWH will hear our prayers. If not, then our words will fall on deaf ears: "The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight: You hate all workers of iniquity." (Psalm 5:5)

There is no need to be frustrated if one cannot "hear from heaven." When or if you believe you have heard from heaven, it is far better to ask YHWH about what you thought you heard, instead of solicting the opinions of others. Many actually do hear from YHWH but shut out His voice when their Rabbi or Pastor, family members or friends speak against YHWH's Word.

Divine communication opens to us when we repent of breaking YHWH's Torah and return to Him and enter into His Kingdom. It is only after we finally decide to open our hearts to Torah (not religion) and order our lives according to His Word that we are able to enter into a dialogue with Heaven and can begin to understand the deep and everlasting love He has for all His Creation. There can only be one singular supreme all-knowing authority Who has an absolute interest in perfect justice, and that Authority is YHWH. The reason that mankind was created with free choice, was to allow each one of us to individually sanctify the Name of YHWH and to replenish the spiritual beings who turned away from YHWH to join the rebellion against Heaven. The Word of YHWH (Torah) is the book of Life that draws the spirit of man to the Spirit of Mashiyach. Truth harmonizes all things and satisfies the most difficult of questions about our connection to YHWH.

YHWH knows each one of us far better than we know ourselves. As we approach Mashiyach we can easily recognize both our failings and our unlimited potential in Him. YHWH has "breathed" a unique spirit into each of us; this is YHWH's gift and will to impart Himself into His Creation. The Word of YHWH (Torah) is the book of Life that draws the spirit of man into the Spirit of Mashiyach. Truth harmonizes all things and satisfies the most difficult of questions about our connection to YHWH.

Humankind has approximately 6,000 years of cumulative intelligible experience recorded in Scripture and through archeological and historical records. Our generation can look back to the cause and effect of human choice and how the decisions of our ancestors helped shape us and our world into who and what we are today; but each soul in every generation has the power of choice regardless of what our forefathers have chosen. If we put away all religious ideas about YHWH and simply do what He requires, we will most certainly each discover manifold profound experiences in the Divine: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what YHWH requires of you, to do justly and to love mercy, and to humble yourself to walk with your Elohim" (Micah 6:8). The fact of the matter is, if we humble ourselves and seek YHWH and as we progress towards Him, many other people will seek to humble us even further. They will scorn, mock and ridicule us for our Faith causing us to either continue choosing "the narrow door and straight road" that leads to life, or to decide to follow the multitudes to destruction....

Divine communication is not some "super spiritual" experience as postured by some, but about being humble and obedient: "For the worship that is pure and set apart before Elohim the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction; and: that one keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27). The world is the carnal world of religion and entertainment, the lust of the flesh, pride of life, paganism, materialism, relativism and humanism - those things which have no part in eternity. We make ourselves available to YHWH by completely rejecting the fallen world, Babylon the Great, which promotes the Mystery of Iniquity.

Can you hear from Heaven? Yes you can; the choice is yours! YHWH demonstrated the most extravagant love possible by sending Mashiyach Y'shua so that Heaven would open to all who seek Divine Communication through His Spirit. This is the Kingdom Offer that Mashiyach holds out all who accepts his offer and repents and turns to Him and is obedient to His Commandments.