This thread might seem to contradict my new thread "Babbling against Speaking in Tongues," but it is needed for critical balance. I was raised in the first Pentecostal church to be established in Canada after the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 that gave birth to international Pentecostalism. My lifelong experiences and observations have taught me that 90% of Pentecostal manifestations are "of the flesh." But the 10% that is authentic is so precious, so life-changing that it makes endurance of the false manifestations worthwhile to get to the real thing that can be absolutely electrifying. My other thread will demonstrate the biblical basis for tongues and this thread will focus on the reasons for skepticism. If you stick with this thread, though, I will guide you through the safe method for having a life-changing positive experience of glossolalia, just as I have.
(1) My first point is this: Any provision of grace or authentic experience of the Spirit is counterfeited by dark forces. Historically, xenoglossy has actually proved to be one sign of demonic possession for the Catholic exorcist. In modern times, the problem is our need for instant gratification and our unwillingness to endure the emotional roller coaster ride of a lengthy period of spiritual longing and intercession. So Pentecostal leaders typically urge seekers to "just speak it out and then the Spirit will take over." The problem with this prompting is that it is all too easy to erupt in uninspired gibberish. Manifestations that begin in the flesh usually stay in the flesh. As a boy, I discovered this by direct experience and it was one factor that created a severe faith crisis. Yes, my false tongues gave me a powerful high, but the automatic second-guessing I experienced afterwards could be tormenting and made me doubt all forms of inner witness of the Holy
Spirit. Only later at age 16 did I discover that when the real thing is experienced, it is self-authenticating and beyond doubt and, in my case, was by far my most awesome life-changing experience ever. In fact, if I had no had this glossolalic experience on that fateful Tuesday night, I doubt I'd even be a Christian today because I was so wracked by doubts about biblical errors and contradictions and about phony spiritual manifestations.
(1) My first point is this: Any provision of grace or authentic experience of the Spirit is counterfeited by dark forces. Historically, xenoglossy has actually proved to be one sign of demonic possession for the Catholic exorcist. In modern times, the problem is our need for instant gratification and our unwillingness to endure the emotional roller coaster ride of a lengthy period of spiritual longing and intercession. So Pentecostal leaders typically urge seekers to "just speak it out and then the Spirit will take over." The problem with this prompting is that it is all too easy to erupt in uninspired gibberish. Manifestations that begin in the flesh usually stay in the flesh. As a boy, I discovered this by direct experience and it was one factor that created a severe faith crisis. Yes, my false tongues gave me a powerful high, but the automatic second-guessing I experienced afterwards could be tormenting and made me doubt all forms of inner witness of the Holy
Spirit. Only later at age 16 did I discover that when the real thing is experienced, it is self-authenticating and beyond doubt and, in my case, was by far my most awesome life-changing experience ever. In fact, if I had no had this glossolalic experience on that fateful Tuesday night, I doubt I'd even be a Christian today because I was so wracked by doubts about biblical errors and contradictions and about phony spiritual manifestations.
