Have tongues passed away?

( Continued from Joyce Meyer's book "Filled with the Spirit" )

...As for prophecy ( the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose ), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [ it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. - 1 Corinthians 13:8

Some people and even some churches teach that the gift of speaking in tongues has passed away. They base this argukent on Paul's first letter to the Corinthians in which he said that one day the spiritual gifts would no longer exist.

However, we know that prophecy and knowledge have not passed away. Those gifts are accepted today by almost all believers and are practiced in some form in almost all churches. Knowledge is sought for worldwide. It certainly has not passed away. Why then should we believe that the spiritual gift of tongues has passed away?

One reason some believers and some churches are opposed to speaking in tongues is that they have seen them abused or misused. But that is nothing new. The same thing was happening in Paul's day. That is why he wrote to the believers in Cointh, instructing them in what he considered the proper operation of the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues.

In 1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV, Paul instructed the Cointhians on how the spiritual gift of tongues should be exercised in the church service - decently and in order. But nowhere did he say that this gift had passed away or that it should not be recieved and exercised by all believers. In fact, in The Amplified Bible translation of verse 39 he said,...do not forbid or hinder speaking in [ unknown] tongues.

Yes, Paul found excess in the exercise of the gift of tongues, and he dealt withit. But he did not command or even suggest that tongues should be done away with to get rid of the excess.

Some people teach against things they don't understand or have not personally experienced. This is sad and robs many people of God's fullness for them.

Each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is important and each has a role to play in the life of the believer. These gifts are bestowed upon us for a reason and a purpose. Open your heart to the Lord in faith and trust, allowing Him not only to fill you with His Holy Spirit, but also to impart to you the particular gifts He wants you to have - including the gift of tongues.