A biblical and practical understanding of tongues
God is Spirit (John 4:24) and He communicates with us through our spirits. Our God is a good and faithful Heavenly Father who gives us good gifts, we just need to ask Him (Matthew 7:11). The Father gives us the gift of tongues because it is a gift that strengthens us spiritually, that edifies us (1 Corinthians 14:4). It is also for a personal communication between God and ourselves that no one understands but God Himself (1 Corinthians 14:2).
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 圣经和实际上对方言的理解 | 繁體中文 > 聖經和實際上對方言的理解)
1 Corinthians 14:4 ESV The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself…
In giving the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18) to all believers for all time, Jesus pointed out that whoever believes in Him will receive the gift of tongues. He did not say that we may speak in new tongues, He said we will. The gift of tongues is available to all who believe in all that Jesus taught. How, when and if we receive it will be determined by the Holy Spirit who distributes God’s spiritual gifts.
Mark 16:17 ESV And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
If we have ever rejected the ongoing gift of tongues or even stopped others from speaking in tongues, we need to recognise that this is against God’s Word. The Bible expressly says, “do not forbid speaking in tongues”.
1 Corinthians 14:39 ESV So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
We can pray in tongues during our private time with the Lord (Matthew 6:6), as we go about our day, and as we meditate on God’s Word.
Spoken or sung from the heart
When we choose to turn from our sins, follow Jesus, and be baptised for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), the Holy Spirit will come to dwell in our hearts (Galatians 4:6). Jesus has said that out of the abundance of the heart, a man’s mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). When our hearts are filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, a new spiritual language of tongues will naturally flow out of our mouths. It is a sign of a believer in Jesus Christ who is filled with the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17).
Unknown languages
Tongues is not something we can conjure up through our own minds. It will be in a language that we cannot humanly understand. In fact, some tongues are in the language of angels (1 Corinthians 13:1)! Praying in tongues is a way to release ourselves from our own human limitations and allow the Holy Spirit to glorify the Father through our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The Lord may also choose to give us more than one spiritual language, depending on the situation.
We can pray in our spirit in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:15) or sing spiritual songs in tongues (Ephesians 5:19).
Receiving the gift
Believers have received the gift of tongues during times of private worship, when praying with others who have the gift, right after their baptism, after being delivered of evil spirits, and so on. There is no one set formula. It simply requires an open heart who hungers after the Lord.
Begin as babes
Just as we mature in any spiritual gift, the gift of tongues is also one that develops over time. Our first experience with tongues may sound like babbling but this is only natural. Just as babies start to speak with only a few intelligible words, so it will be when we start to speak in tongues. Just continue until we speak in tongues fluently.
What can hinder the gift
This gift of tongues can be blocked or hindered by unbelief (Mark 16:17), wrong motives (James 4:3), witchcraft or unclean spiritual ties, as the following testimony shows.
Example 1: Hindrance to gift of tongues identified and removed
“I had been asking God for the gift of tongues for a few years. Then one day, I came across Mark 16:15-18 and realised Jesus had said that those who believe in Him will speak in new tongues! That included me! I prayed again and asked God if there were any sins preventing me from having this gift – any unbelief, idol worship or wrong motives.
I suddenly thought of the pendant around my neck. It was a gift I inherited from my grandmother and I loved it. I had worn it for 12 years. For some reason, I felt led to take it off. I had recently become aware that there were generational curses that plagued my maternal family. As I took off the necklace, I cut soul ties with it and my family’s generational sins. I then glanced at my phone. A friend had just sent me a message to say that the Holy Spirit had shown her that the pendant had been choking my voice.
I went on my knees and praised God. Then I waited. Beyond my comprehension and mind, my tongue and lips moved! I found myself speaking words I did not understand and knew I was not in control. It was beautiful. I was humbled that the Spirit of God would manifest Himself in me, and intercede for me when I pray.”
Important reminders
As with all things with regards to following our Lord Jesus, God looks at our hearts first. Let the words from our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 19:14).
It is worth mentioning that the gift of tongues is not a measurement of how spiritual, good, or holy somebody is. God does not show favouritism (Romans 2:11). The gift of tongues is for every believer. The Holy Spirit first and foremost distributes His spiritual gifts for the maturing of the body of believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), it is not about just ourselves. The following is a cautionary example.
Example 2: Gift corrupted by pride
There was a lady who often complained about the burden of serving others in the church, because she saw them as ungrateful. She positioned herself as someone who was superior to those she served, because she had the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of tongues. One time, she felt convicted to confess her pride to God. Yet instead of simply saying sorry from her heart in English, she prayed her “confession” in tongues. She had become so wrapped up in her spiritual gifts, that they had become a stumbling block to her being simply herself before God.
When exercised within a church context, the gift of tongues should be used in an ordinary orderly manner. The apostle Paul provided a good guideline for us in 1 Corinthians 14.
The written Word of God expressly says, “do not forbid to speak with tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39).
Example 3: Spiritual life quenched by restriction on gift of tongues
“I attended a church that forbade us from praying in tongues. When I obeyed the church (over God’s Word) I slowly felt very quenched in my spirit. There was a form of grief inside me, which I now recognise as the grief of the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, the Lord sent a friend to inform me that the Lord missed me speaking in tongues to Him. This set me free to worship Him again by praying in tongues. Praise God!“
Just as there are genuine tongues, there are also counterfeit tongues. In other words, there are people who pretend to be praying in tongues or people who have unclean spirits that pray demonic tongues inspired by evil spirits. Let us recall what Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (NKJV)
We can recognise a genuine tongue by its fruit. A genuine tongue from the Holy Spirit will bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Prayer for tongues
If you would like to receive the gift of tongues, simply approach our Heavenly Father and ask Him for the gift and ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is anything that may hinder your gift. Then wait for the Father to lead you forward. The gift may not come immediately but trust the Lord to respond when you seek the Lord with all your heart. He is faithful and a Giver of good gifts.
May this sharing be a blessing to you as you seek to love the Lord with all your heart and worship Him with the unique language in tongues that He has reserved just for you to commune with Him.