God’s Gifts

Do Backsliders Lose Tongues?

Q: If you sin, after being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues, will you lose the Gift? Alexis

A: No, you will lose neither the Gift of the Holy Spirit, nor the Gift of tongues.

We know because, writing of His salvation call to the Israelites, the Holy Ghost concludes that God’s gifts, and His call, are without repentance; meaning they are irrevocable.

Isn’t that wonderful news?

Here’s the scripture in context, Ro. 11:25-32 KJV;

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The best of Kenneth Hagin’s teaching on tongues. Tongues: All You Need to Know: Scriptural answers to questions on this topic.

However, wilful sin has a devastating effect on a believer’s fellowship with Father.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Amos 3:3 KJV

Backsliders harden their hearts to God’s Spirit, habitually ignoring Him.

Therefore, He leaves them wallowing in their dung until they come to their senses.

During this state they are of little use in ministry of any kind.

So the Holy Spirit is hardly likely to select a backslider to speak a message in tongues in a meeting. 1 Co. 12:11.

As far as personal tongues go: Backsliders quickly cease all forms of prayer.

They don’t lose their tongues, they voluntarily stop using them.

Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound

Rom. 5:20b KJV

This question reminds me of a true testimony of God’s infinite grace to His children.

A Spirit-filled Christian fell into immorality and backslid, his anointing immediately dried up, and he returned to the world.

Satan told him that he’d lost his salvation, and was Hell-bound; the poor man believed the Devil’s word.

Years later, the backslider got into a street brawl. Whilst he was thumping his opponent, he experienced something he hadn’t felt for years, the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

The realization was profound enough to stop him in his tracks.

He began to consider the possibility that he was still saved after all, so he prayed for the first time in years.

Lord, if I’m still a Christian, please forgive me, and fill me with the Holy Spirit and tongues like I used to have.

Immediately, the Lord filled him again, and he began to speak in tongues.

What a lesson to us all.

Meditate on that backslider’s wasted years, bound by the Devil’s lies.

Contemplate the agony Father suffered watching His child walk in darkness, and that God was so merciful to bring him to his senses.

How vital it is for us to remain full of the Holy Ghost, so we can walk in the Spirit.

That is the only place of safety and security. The Spirit of God will put a wall of holy fire around you as you follow Christ. Fire that keeps the Evil one from you. Fire that vaporises temptations and flaming arrows as they come.

The flesh-man can accomplish nothing for God.

Be filled, stay filled, and let the Spirit glorify Christ through you.