Tongues in the Bible
Although Jesus mentions in the gospel of Mark that the disciples would cast out demons and speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17), note that Mark uses the future tense to describe these events. The first occurrence of tongues is actually recorded in Acts 2:1-4. In Acts, it explains that when someone received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they also spoke with tongues or prophesied. For example, regarding the day of Pentecost, Luke writes in Acts 2:4 that “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Additionally, in Acts 10:44-48, we see that all the believers received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and manifested the gift of tongues to glorify and magnify God. Similarly, the Apostle Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him (Acts 9:17). As a result, Paul later thanked God he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthian believers who also seem to have spoken in tongues as well. Thus, Paul outlines the need for instruction on the proper use of this gift in his letter to the Corinthian church (I Corinthians 14:18).
Although some of the texts mention that people spoke in tongues when they became filled with the Spirit, this does not mean that if a person doesn’t speak in tongues that they are not filled or baptized in the Spirit. These two activities are not one and the same. This is a misconception; some people receive tongues right away, while for others, it takes time.
What are Tongues?
What exactly is this phenomenon of speaking in tongues that the New Testament mentions? Tongues are the Holy Spirit praying, speaking, or singing through you. “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,” (I Corinthians 14:14-15.) In other words, praying in tongues or praying in the Spirit is your spirit bypassing the limitations of your mind, enabling you to minister beyond your natural understanding. As I Corinthians 14:2 states, “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”
Tongues can sometimes be the speaking of a recognizable human language you’ve never learned—an earthly language. This, of course, is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit. We find an example of this in Acts 2:6-11, “And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.”
However, tongues can also manifest as an angelic language (I Cor. 13:1). Regardless of the type of tongues, tongues can be used both privately and publicly. Private tongues, or a personal prayer language, can be used in personal prayer times, small group prayers, worship sessions, or intercessory prayer. If a public word is to be given in tongues, it is initiated by God for the benefit of the community, and it needs to be interpreted. Paul speaks of orderly worship in church and of the need to have interpretations for public tongues (I Cor. 14:27). He mentions in the same chapter that those who speak in tongues should also desire to interpret tongues, “Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret” (I Cor. 14:13). For the use of tongues in public worship, be sure to submit to leadership and follow the protocol of the church if you believe you have a public word in tongues.
Purposes of Tongues
Praying in the Spirit exists for many purposes. First, it is a matter of obedience. God urges us to pray in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18). It also builds us up spiritually and has the power to edify; it strengthens our inner man. 1 Corinthians 14:4 explains, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” It can also be used as a form of giving thanks and praise to God. At Pentecost, Paul mentions that the believers gave thanks in their own language.
In addition, oftentimes in complex situations, we do not always know what to pray or how to pray in alignment with God. Thus, praying in the Spirit also allows the Holy Spirit to intercede for us in alignment with the Father’s heart (Romans 8:26-27). It increases the effectiveness of our prayers and releases his purposes on Earth. The Holy Spirit partners with us to bind and loosen the things of Heaven into the Earth. He wants to use our voices. It truly is a key that unlocks other gifts.
Still another purpose of praying in tongues is the revelation we receive (Ephesians 1:18). Many times after praying in tongues, I will receive an answer to prayer via revelation through someone else whom the Spirit spoke to or through the Spirit speaking directly to me.
Lastly, and often overlooked, speaking in tongues weaponizes us; it is a secret weapon of spiritual warfare. It allows your prayers to fly with accuracy like arrows. After the armor of God list mentioned in Ephesians 6, verses 17-18 say to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit…” Because it falls at the end of the armor list, that last part is often glossed over. Yet it is truly essential. Use this weapon. Do it more. As a spiritual discipline set aside time to pray in the Spirit and see what happens. Because your mind does not need to be engaged, you can do it while you’re mowing or washing the dishes. Remember that speaking in tongues is an exercise of your will. You choose to allow the Holy Spirit this freedom of expression through you.
The Motive of Tongues and All Gifts
Before we speak in tongues or exercise any of the gifts, we want to make sure that our motive for operating in the gifts is rightly aligned. We operate in the gifts to reflect the heart of the Father. Even Jesus reflected the Father as he spoke and moved in miracles and power, so we follow his example. John 5:19 explains, “Therefore, Jesus answered and was saying to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.’”
Like Jesus, all that we do must flow from a place of love for God, a desire to glorify Him, and a love for people. Notice the Apostle Paul’s placement of the “love chapter”—his emphasis on the way of love in 1 Corinthians 13. It is sandwiched between the discussion on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and a continuation of that discussion, specifically regarding prophecy and tongues in chapter 14. Paul writes in I Corinthians 13:1-2, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” All must flow from love. Although Paul exhorts us to desire all of the gifts, operating in the gifts should never be motivated out of self-exaltation or desire for power. That motivation treads in the direction of the demonic.
Beginning to Use the Gift of Tongues
If you’ve not spoken in tongues yet and have a desire to, I would encourage you to follow these simple activation steps. First, you must be saved, because the Holy Spirit will not fill an unbeliever. If you are unsure what this means, please reach out to one of the pastors or someone on the prayer team, so they can help you with that. Secondly, being baptized in the Spirit is a prerequisite for speaking in tongues. However, they are not the same thing. Speaking in tongues can come after you are baptized in the Spirit. Some can receive tongues right away, and for others it is a process. Since the Holy Spirit is imparted directly from God through laying on of hands (Hebrews 6:1-2, Acts 19:5-6, Acts 8:14-17), I would encourage you to ask someone to pray with you to receive the baptism of the Spirit. Like any other gift from God, we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit by asking God for it and believing that we receive this gift from him. Once you’ve done that, you can simply pray, asking God to fill you with his Spirit and to give you your prayer language.
Ask for God’s help to release your prayer language. Then, take a step of faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to fill your mouth; open your mouth, and speak. It’s important to understand that your own will plays a vital role in speaking in tongues. God will not force anyone to receive His Spirit or to speak in tongues. He is not going to do it for you. Step out in faith. Yes, the Holy Spirit will form the words as you speak them, but it is still up to you to do the speaking. By a simple act of your will, you must open your mouth and let the sound come out. If it doesn’t come right away, do not be discouraged or doubt. Press in. For some, it is a process. Keep asking for it in prayer, and keep initiating it through your will. He is a good Father, and He delights in giving His children good and perfect gifts from above—all of the gifts from above.
If you're interested in listening to Pastor Brian Flewelling & Ministry Leader Kara Sensenig have a conversation on the gift of speaking in tongues check out this podcast -- What's So Scary About Speaking in Tongues!
Tags: message, holy spirit, tongues, prophecy, encouragement, order, interpretation of tongues, praying in the spirit
