I believe that as well, but I do not believe that was it’s only purpose.

That purpose is almost entirely ignored by Christians today.

I am very open to God doing a “new thing” (i.e. laughing or being slain in the spirit, etc.)

What I’m worried about is the church replacing faith in God with the seeking out of some highly mystical, borderline occultic experience that is hardly unique to Christianity. It speaks to a psychological insufficiency some people are unknowingly trying to fix through the realm of the carnal or tangible. If all people want is to feel meaningful and powerful in the world through the outworking of a mystical experience (transubstantiation, being slain in the Spirit, laughing in the Spirit, speaking in tongues, freaking out during exorcism, and so on) than what is stopping them from perusing paganism, the occult, or voodoo or something?

I believe the Spirit of God can have a profound emotional impact, but it is easy to mistake the Spirit of God for our subconscious or instinctive desires – which we sometimes make into idols.

Paul says, “He who speaks in a tongues edifies himself,” and, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues.” Paul also says, “does not speak to men but to God,” and “no one understands him.” That would expalin why it sounds like gibberish to us.

This is taken within the context of the absence of an interpreter. If one speaks in a language foreign to a congregation (e.g. Hebrew in the presence of Gentiles), he will be directing his prayer toward God, since no one else will understand what he is saying. That is why Paul tells the Corinthians not to speak in tongues unless someone can interpret.

The argument follows, “If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?” (1Co 14:7). This verse goes against those who speak nonsensically, like a cat walking across the keys of a piano, failing to produce a coherrent combination of notes to form an understandable song.

The solution is to speak intelligbly: “So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air” (1Co 14:9).

This is all within the context of human language: “There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me” (Co 14:10-11).

Paul then lays out the guidlines you agree many in the church ignore.

Anyway, that is how I interpret what Paul is saying.

Could anyone else comment on their view of speaking in tongues?