Speaking in Unknown Tongues

[Posted July 6, 2006]

The word ‘unknown’ is nowhere to be found in the original language in 1 Corinthians 14. It does not appear in the original and is always in italics in the Bibles which have the italics to let the reader know that this word was not in the original.

I hope you come to see the truth of what Paul said when he told the Corinthians who were talking in real languages:

1Co 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding [plain English], that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.

E- sword puts italicized words in brackets. See that word ‘unknown?’ It is italicized because it was not in the original Greek.

What are referred to as ‘unknown tongues’ by zealous “babes in Christ” are but a very poor counterfeit of a real experience that was given to many on the day of Pentecost as needed as “a sign to unbelievers.” I have yet to witness a true “tongue” being spoken by someone with no training in that language. As many millions of times this is supposed to be taking place all around the globe, it should be an incredibly easy thing to video a person who has no training in say, Spanish, speaking fluent Spanish. Why has this never been done? Many a Pentecostal meeting is recorded for the entire world to see. Never once are they given the ability to “speak the wonderful works of God in their own tongue” as was experienced on the Day of Pentecost.

What it all boils down to is that this mainstream experience called ‘speaking in unknown tongues’ is, in reality, a doctrine of demons. It is a poor counterfeit of a real gift that once was widespread in God’s church but is no longer being witnessed as it was on the day of Pentecost, at Cornelius’ house and subsequently. Every time tongues are mentioned, you can rest assured that they fulfilled their purpose of being a sign to unbelievers. Unknown tongues are a sign to no one. They deceive and puff up the participants and give them a false sense of superiority over those who have not yet “received their gift.” ‘Unknown’ tongues will always retard the spiritual growth of its adherents. The reason for this is that if one cannot perceive a false spirit coming out of one’s own mouth, how can one hope to perceive a false doctrine coming out of the mouth of some false prophet? It cannot be done! Anyone believing in this most obvious false doctrine is vulnerable to many other false doctrines.