(By David Ravenhill) Of the nine gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians, few would question the fact that the gift of tongues is by far the most controversial. If the gifts were likened to a family, tongues would be that member of the family nobody wants to acknowledge or be associated with. This is the one member we are embarrassed to be related to and even more reluctant to talk about. What is it about this gift that is so obnoxious to so many believers? For years, certain denominations have warned their people about going anywhere near those who speak in tongues lest they become demonized or demented themselves.
Since every good and perfect gift comes from God, including the gift of tongues, then we need to ask ourselves what is really going on? Some denominations hold to a cessationist belief, which basically teaches that the gifts have all been withdrawn in this dispensation and therefore are no longer relevant. Behind this teaching is the devil, who fosters this lie in order to strengthen his own agenda. What better way to undermine God’s purpose than to do away with the very means of equipping God’s people with spiritual strength and insight? READ MORE
