Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeHardy07
...If the evidence of God's endwelling comes from speaking in tongues, then I have it. I was "prayed through" at eleven. I'm 20 now and I have rarely spoken in tongues since, probably once more. I know for sure I have not in the past five years or so. I have prayed earnestly, not for tongues, just in prayer, and the tongues did not come. I will not fake them. Something has kept me this far in my walk. It sure has not been tongues. Each day I grow in the Lord through prayer and study. I thank God it is His Spirit that has kept me, regardless of how much I speak in an unknown tongue. ... Just look at my fruits compared to all those whose salvation depends on consistant tongues. Most of those who seak that super Holy Ghost experience are babes and they need a sign from God that he is really with them. The need proof that He is real, so they get a super charge to carry them to the nexy week. I need no sign, yet. By faith I walk and by faith I believe He is with me. ...
Thank you, Sam. I believe I am not one who speaks in tongues.
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OK, for the record -- I believe that gifts like tongues, healing, prophecy, etc are still available for us today. I speak with tongues just about every day as I pray and worship the Lord. I have never publicly spoken or "given a message" in tongues and I have never interpreted a message in tongues. I do not believe we have to speak with tongues on a continuing basis to prove that God's Spirit is in us. I believe the way anyone can tell if we are genuine Christians is by our fruit which includes love of our brothers and sisters in God's family. I believe we walk by faith not by sight (or feelings). Here is a poem I read years ago that has been attributed to Martin Luther that expresses my opinion on the reality of the Scriptures.
God’s Unchanging Word
By Martin Luther
Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving.
My warrant is the Word of God,
Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemned,
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart,
Whose Word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging Word,
Till soul and body sever,
For though all things shall pass away,
His Word shall stand forever.
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