The gift of speaking in tongues is the easiest gift to manufacture or imitate. This is why the Pentecostal church pushes for people to speak in tongues. The church wishes for you to believe you are speaking in tongues so that you will believe that you have the Holy Spirit. This way, you will not seek after the greater gifts like prophecy. Greater gifts such as prophecy, cause you to become a teacher and no longer a student of man’s doctrines. This issue will be discussed in an upcoming post.
Regardless of the gift you have, according to the Bible, a spiritual gift is not proof that you have received the Holy Spirit. To determine whether or not you have the Holy Spirit, you must adhere to a certain set of beliefs which are the teachings of Jesus without compromising or manipulating them. In this post, I will provide sufficient evidence of this through the scriptures.
The gift of prophecy is the gift you should eagerly pursue, but this gift can put you in opposition with the established church and denomination (as it was with every prophet in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament with Jesus and the Apostles). The church also understands that if you haven’t developed any spiritual gifts as a result of their teachings, you may doubt the authenticity of their doctrinal teachings and find another church or change denominations. And so, the Pentecostal church pushes speaking in tongues as irrefutable proof of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul himself states that speaking in tongues is the least of all the gifts and that we should desire the greater gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:28 – And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:31 – Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
This is because the purpose of speaking in tongues does not usually benefit the people around, as it is more of a personal edification. Unless there is someone around who can interpret (which is rare precisely due to inauthentic tongues speakers), those around you who hear, cannot grasp what you are saying and you both become foreigners to each other. For these reasons, Paul encourages us to excel in gifts that build up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-19 – Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
The church will always encourage you to have the least of all the gifts also because it is easiest to manufacture. The truth is most people who think they speak in tongues actually do not because there should be an interpretation when someone speaks in tongues, either by the speaker or someone else. If there is no interpretation after someone speaks in tongues, the gift did not benefit anyone. It may be simply manufactured to impress people, make others think they have the Holy Spirit or even deceive themselves into believing that they have the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 – If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
This does not happen in the church today. Everyone seems to speak in tongues randomly without there being an interpretation of what is being said. This is mostly due to inauthentic speakers.
Even if you have the greater gifts, this is also not proof that you have the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? Other translations say: ‘and in your name, perform many miracles?’ 23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
The only proof that you share the same spirit as Jesus is if you accept and believe in his teachings without changing, manipulating or compromising them, apply them to your life and finally, teach others accurately, without compromise.
Luke 10:1, 9 & 17 – After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go…9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’…17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
At this point, the Holy Spirit had not yet come since Jesus had not been glorified (death and resurrection). However, these men were casting out demons and healing the sick.
Matthew 10:1-4, 7-8 – Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him…7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Even Judas Iscariot was among those doing signs and wonders. This does not mean Judas had the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not proof of the Holy Spirit.
John 6:64, 70 & 71 – Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him…70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
Judas never believed in Jesus and Jesus knew from the beginning that he would betray him. Nonetheless, Judas was still sent out and had these spiritual gifts, even though he did not have the Holy Spirit.
John 13:10-11 – Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.
Spiritual gifts, even the greater ones, are not proof of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 6:7 – Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Luke 9:1-2 & 6 – When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick…6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
This is not proof of the Holy Spirit since the Holy Spirit had not come yet.
John 7:39 NIV – By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
John 16:7 – But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Conviction Of The Holy Spirit
The proof of the Holy Spirit is when you are convicted for not following the ways and teachings of Jesus.
John 16:8 – And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey all of Jesus’ teachings.
Acts 5:32 – We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
How To Know If You Have The Holy Spirit
To know if you have the Holy Spirit, you must look at:
1 Corinthians 12:3 – Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Saying “Jesus be cursed” is not done with your lips. It is an action where you decide not to believe in Jesus’ teachings and choose to follow your own compromised interpretation of Jesus’ teachings that suits you.
Saying “Jesus is Lord” means to agree with Jesus’ teachings and his interpretation of God’s word, without manipulating or compromising them. It means to obey his teachings by living your life by his standards of right and wrong and not your own compromised version that suits you.
Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
We must discern whether we are in agreement with Jesus’ teachings.
1 Corinthians 2:14 – The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
We should examine ourselves to see if we are indeed of the faith.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Lamentations 3:40 – Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:28-32 – Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
We must test ourselves to see if we are indeed aligned with Jesus’ teachings such as:
Luke 14:33 – In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Other translations:
Luke 14:33 NLT – So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
Luke 14:33 NASB – So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.
Jesus instructs us to give up all of our possessions in order to be considered his disciple. This is what all of the disciples did. Anyone today who is a Christian, is a disciple of Jesus. This instruction is for every Christian believer.
Matthew 19:27 KJV – Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Luke 18:28 KJV – Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
The very basis of Jesus’ entire ministry was to teach us not to compromise the word of God by adding exceptions to His words. Jesus came to teach us to follow the word of God without exceptions and compromise. And wherever we fall short, we confess, repent and ask God for forgiveness. Simply put, we must never blur the lines about what Jesus has taught us to be right and wrong by lowering his standards.
We must not be like the Pharisees and scoff at Jesus’ teachings and make excuses.
Luke 16:13-14 – No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.
We must be willing to follow all of the Bible’s teachings, even if we don’t agree with them personally. Otherwise, we cannot claim to have the same spirit as Jesus, if we disagree with him.
Luke 6:30 – Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
For wives:
1 Corinthians 11:5-6 & 16 – But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head…16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 37-38 – Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church… 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.
1 Peter 3:1 – Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.
Ephesians 5:22 – Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Colossian 3:18 – Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
We cannot disagree with any of the teachings of Jesus and claim to have the Holy Spirit.
When we accept all that Jesus has said without manipulating and compromising his word, and apply it to our everyday lives, then we know that we have the Holy Spirit. If we accept all that Jesus taught, then we know we have the same spirit that Jesus had. Until then, tongues can be manufactured which the weak take as a sign that they have the Holy Spirit. This is dangerous because if you believe you already have the Holy Spirit, you will stop looking for it and so you will never receive it.
Matthew 7:7 – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
In order to receive the Holy Spirit, we must make seeking and asking for it, the first and only priority in our lives.
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…
Having the Holy Spirit is not as easy as just speaking in tongues. Jesus himself states how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God, which is receiving the Holy Spirit.
Mark 10:24 BLB – And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answering says to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom of God!
Speaking in tongues is not evidence that you have entered the kingdom of heaven, meaning you have received the Holy Spirit. I encourage everyone to keep pushing forward in your faith. Don’t settle for what the church tells you out of a motive not to offend, so that you will come back week after week. Many churches have compromised speaking the truth because they see a decrease in church attendance and tithing whenever they have tried. Through their own evil nature, people simply change churches to one that speaks an easy, uplifting message of what they want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Lamentations 2:14 – Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captives, but have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.
Prophets and Pastors are meant to uncover and expose our sin through their teachings so that we can repent by changing our sinful ways and be saved. Unfortunately, many people take offense to this kind of truthful message. And so, instead of repenting and changing, they take offense and persecute the teacher by changing churches or denominations. Soon after, church attendance and tithing profits begin to dwindle. As a result of greed, churches have stopped preaching the truth. Pastors, prophets and teachers have changed their teachings into sweet nothings that tickle people’s ears. Thus, no longer causing repentance or exposing iniquity (sin), making these preachers into useless motivational speakers, with no benefit to the listener at all.
We can identify false teachers by the gospel they teach.
Matthew 7:15-16 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Thorns in the bible, represent greed and a love for money.
Matthew 13:22 – He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Mark 4:18 & 19 – And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Luke 8:14 – And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
False teachers have greed laced within their Gospel message. This makes them a corrupt tree preaching a corrupt gospel.
Matthew 7:17-20 – Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Why by their fruits you shall know them.
False preachers do not preach the truth due to their love of money. They preach a gospel promoting greed.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 – But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
This is why Jesus says:
Continued Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
Those who do not understand that they must give up their money and possessions and preach this same message to others, are preaching iniquity and Jesus does not know them.
Luke 14:33 – So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
Luke 12:22-34 – Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
God will provide for us if we put him first and make seeking the Holy Spirit, the first priority in our lives more than money and possessions. We must have faith in God’s word that if we give up all for him, he will provide for us.
There is much more to receiving the Holy Spirit than speaking in tongues. The truth is that even most pastors do not have the Holy Spirit, even if signs and wonders follow them. Instead, they are corrupt ‘trees’ with corrupt fruit, meaning they are false teachers preaching a corrupt and false gospel, due to greed.
We must be careful at this point that we do not have loyalty to the preacher instead of to Jesus. It is more important to follow the words of Jesus and not the preacher when they differ.
It is important to know exactly how to tell whether you have the Holy Spirit, since without it, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
John 3:3 – Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.
Romans 8:9 – You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
Romans 8:14 – For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
In spite of the following scripture:
Mark 16:17-18 – And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
In Matthew, Jesus says:
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Jesus is telling us that believers will have gifts of the Spirit but so will those who have compromised, like Judas. My point is simply that spiritual gifts are not an accurate litmus test to know if you have the Holy Spirit. This is especially so with speaking in tongues since of all the gifts, speaking in tongues is the easiest to imitate, replicate and manufacture.
I encourage every follower of Jesus to keep pushing forward; do not settle for what the church assures you is proof of the Holy Spirit. Be alert and compare everything constantly to scripture and not their words. Be like the Bereans:
Acts 17:10-11 – As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Don’t believe everything that is being preached to you. Examine each teaching carefully with the scriptures.
2 Corinthians 11:4 – For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
Many churches today are preaching a different Gospel and a different Jesus than the one Paul preached.
Galatians 1:6-9 – I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
Paul is adamant in stating that even if an angel came to us and preached a different gospel than Paul’s, we should not accept it, let alone a pastor.
1 Timothy 1:3 – As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer.
We are meant to speak against those who teach a false doctrine and we are not meant to follow them.
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