Why you don't have to speak in tongues - Or do you?
My tongue speaks at every opportunity....and that in a non native language, but who can understand it? I certainly do. Even here at this forum, many have no idea what I'm saying; they might even think I'm blaspheming.....because their native language is preferable to them.
....and what is my/ their native language? is it not the language of self justification, of survival of the fittest and relegating those who poke in the eye to hell.
.....so, what is the language my tongue speaks when opportunity arises? It is the good news for the broken hearted and hope for the despairing. It is the message of the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:11
.....further; listen to Peter's explanation of what and how this fits together....Acts 2:22-36
It is too often assumed that speaking in tongues is about making physical sounds in an unlearned/ foreign language......and this may well be in certain circumstances, however what is missed is what was/ is spoken of/ about.
How many manifestations of the modern phenomena of 'speaking in tongues' shares the message of the resurrected Jesus, of hope for the hopeless and comfort for the downtrodden of sin?
From my experience in circles that practice 'speaking in tongues', gobbledygook and self engrandisment has been the order of the day.