What is Speaking in Tongues?

The Bible has a lot to say about the human tongue, and most of it is not very flattering. James called the tongue an unruly evil and said no man can tame it. We're going to look at the human tongue a little while we discover what speaking in tongues is and what it's for. 

What is speaking in tongues?

As discussed in a previous post, speaking in tongues is the initial evidence that someone has received the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 3:1-8 that we must be born again of water and Spirit and in verse 8 that everyone born of the Spirit would hear the language of the Spirit. Mark 16:15-18 Jesus said that believers (those who have fully trusted in Jesus's words) will speak in tongues. The salvation accounts in Acts 2, 10-11, and 19 show speaking in tongues as the initial evidence that someone has received the Spirit. There is no other initial evidence given in any of the salvation accounts and since Jesus already said that EVERYONE born of the Spirit would hear the language and it's confirmed in all the salvation accounts, we can know that the moment we are filled with the Spirit we will speak in a new language. 

Can You Have the Holy Spirit without tongues?

I know what you're thinking, "the prophet Elijah didn't speak in tongues. Neither did David or Jesus or John the Baptist." You're right, they didn't. They also weren't filled with the Spirit though. 

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

In the Old Testament era, which included the time Jesus walked the earth, people were given the Spirit for a specific purpose; not filled with the Spirit as we have the opportunity to be today. Now, regarding Jesus, He didn't need to speak in tongues. Jesus already had perfect communication with the Father because He and the Father were one (John 10:30).

Let's look at Acts 8 real quick.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city....12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women....14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

This is a unique salvation account because, as you see, it doesn't mention tongues. That doesn't mean they didn't speak in tongues, it just means it isn't mentioned. But what is mentioned here is very important and at the end of the day we line it up with the multiple other salvation accounts and know that this one fell in line with those. But let's take a look at why this account is so important. The people in Samaria believed Philip and were baptized. The apostles in Jerusalem heard about this group that had been baptized and that they hadn't received the Spirit so they sent Peter and John specifically to pray for them to receive the Spirit. How'd they know they hadn't received yet? No one spoke in tongues as the Lord said everyone who received the Spirit would do. Peter and John prayed with them and they received and it was evident and so powerful that Simon the sorcerer wanted to buy that power. And while it doesn't say they spoke in tongues it does show that there was definite evidence to everyone around and that it was better than what the sorcerer had. Even he couldn't fake that one. And this account also shows that even though they accepted the word gladly and were baptized they didn't have the Spirit. We don't automatically receive the Spirit just because we've made a decision for Christ.

Acts 19 is another good one that shows that receiving the Holy Spirit is an event at a definite time with proof and that it doesn't happen just because we make a decision for Christ.

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

So Paul ran across these 12 learners who had been baptized but didn't know the truth about salvation. They didn't have the Holy Spirit and didn't even know about it. Paul preached the truth to them, baptized them again, and they received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. They didn't receive the Spirit just because they wanted to follow Christ and they didn't receive when they were baptized the first time. They didn't even receive when they were baptized a second time because Paul still had to lay hands on them and pray for them to receive. There was a distinct, definite, moment where they received the Spirit and they had the evidence of it that Jesus had already proclaimed.

Is it just to show you're saved? What's the point?

Why on earth would tongues be the sign of the Spirit? I mean, come on, it's a little weird right? Well did you know tongues actually has a valuable, powerful purpose? Take a look at what the Bible says about the tongue and maybe it will help make it clear why tongue is a brilliant sign we have received the Spirit and why it's needed.

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Job 20:12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue

Psalm 10:7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

Psalm 12:3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Psalms 15:15 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Those aren't even all of them. I left out a ton! The bottom line is it's hard to control our tongue. We can speak both kind things and hurtful things with the same tongue. And as James talked about horses needing bits in their mouths to control their whole body, what we have in our mouth controls our lives as well. So it makes logical sense that if the Lord wants us to have power (you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you) then the first thing he will do is give us a new tongue, one that can't be corrupted. Our natural tongues are wicked and the Lord's response to that is...

Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (Paul quotes that scripture in 1 Corinthians 14:21 when talking about speaking in tongues.)

What makes speaking in tongues so powerful though?

1 Corinthians 14:4a He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; - Speaking in tongues edifies us. It builds us up in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:14a For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, - Speaking in tongues = Praying in the Spirit

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. - Speaking in tongues (or praying in the Spirit, whichever you prefer) is a perfect, incorruptible language. It will always be a perfect prayer. Don't know what to ask for? Pray in tongues. Run out of words? Pray in tongues. When you pray in the Spirit the Spirit intercedes for you according to the will of God, and because the Spirit is always praying according to God's will we know that those prayers will always be answered with a yes. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - This verse, located in the armor of God passage, reminds us that using our prayer language is one of the ways we fight the enemy.

Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, - One of only two ways the Bible tells us we can build our faith is praying in tongues (the other way is hearing the word)

With all the purposes of praying in tongues, it's no wonder Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. Of course, he still prayed in his native tongue plenty too (1 Cor. 14:15) and we should as well but definitely make a priority of praying in tongues if you've received the Spirit, or praying for the Spirit if you haven't received yet. It's not just a sign we've received the Spirit, it's transformative.

What am I saying when I pray in tongues?

Beats me! Haha!

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

You will never know what you're saying when you pray in tongues and neither will anyone else. It's a spiritual language, not a natural one. If anyone tries to tell you that your prayer language means something specific they are full of it and probably just trying to feel super spiritual. Look at the word, "no man understandeth him". There is no translation for tongues like going from English to Spanish. 

New to speaking in tongues?

If you haven't been spirit-filled long or you are just starting to try to get in the habit of praying in tongues daily I want you to know it's okay if it feels awkward at first. Some people take a little while to get comfortable praying for minutes at a time.  It was like that for me after going so many years not knowing I was supposed to be using it daily. Some people even experience doubt after first receiving which can also be totally normal. Try to push past them. Remember Jesus said in Luke 11 that the Father gives GOOD gifts and He gives the Holy Spirit to anyone persistently asking Him. 

Also, know that you don't have to work yourself up first. If you've received the Spirit you can start and stop praying whenever you'd like. It's not going to suddenly take control of you. 1 Corinthians 14:32 reminds us that the Spirit within us is subject to us. God doesn't want any of his children to look like we're crazy. He gave us this power to use and He said the Spirit would abide with us forever (John 14:16). If you find yourself not able to just start speaking in tongues then it might be that you only got close to receiving before and you need to have some more prayer for the Spirit. I'm happy to pray with you if praying alone is difficult.

And finally, what is the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians?

Some people get tripped up on this book thinking that tongues is a gift only for some. Let's look closer.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant....4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will....28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Alright so Paul goes through chapter 12 talking about the diversity of gifts in the body of Christ and saying that not everyone is used in the same way. Then we get chapter 13, the love chapter. It's understandable that if you don't have a knowledge of the other verses about speaking in tongues, that you'd get confused in chapter 12, but let's remember that 1 Corinthians is one letter written to the Spirit-filled church and there's a larger context we need to consider.

14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying....12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church....19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. ...23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?...26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Are you noticing a pattern? The letter of 1 Corinthians was largely about making sure things in the church were running as they should. In chapter 12 he goes on about how all members have a job in the body and that one person's job won't look the same as another person's job. Then he goes into what love looks like before coming over in chapter 14 to talk about how the gifts are used in the church. He clears some things up like nor all speaking in tongues at the same time and having a specific time in the meetings for two, or at the most three, to speak in tongues one at a time each followed by an interpretation then two or at the most three prophecies each one at a time. Paul's point in 1 Corinthians can't mean that not everyone in the church can speak in tongues in general because in chapter 14 he says in verse 26 "every one of you has a tongue" and in verse 18 "I thank my God I speak in tongues more than you all". They could all speak in tongues but they were not all using it in the church meetings. In the church meetings, tongues is a gift to the church, but the gift to us was the Holy Spirit. That was the promise of the Father that Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for. Tongues is the language of the Spirit. We don't seek tongues, we seek the Spirit and when we receive the Spirit we speak in tongues.

Thoughts? Questions?