Devotional Life

Speaking in tongues

4 min read, approximately

“What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

I thank God for prayer and intercession groups, and for people who, even before a church service begins, unite in the Spirit and seek to release blessings over the congregation. How beautiful it is when 2 or more believers pray that every argument within each person may be torn down, so that they can accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and be washed, healed, forgiven, renewed, and set free. How good it is when a believer also joins in speaking in tongues and another interprets. But if there is no interpreter, the speaker must realize that no one will understand:

“For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)

…Furthermore,

“He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4)

…But what does that mean? For example:

“…if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak with revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching? Even lifeless things that produce sounds, such as the flute or lyre, must make distinct notes; otherwise, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? Likewise, unless you speak clearly understandable words with your tongue, how will anyone understand what you say? You will be speaking into the air. There are surely many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning. But if I do not know the meaning of the words, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner to me.” (1 Corinthians 14:6-11)

So, is speaking in tongues wrong? Not at all, because it builds you up! Yet it would be good if

“…the one who speaks in an unknown tongue prays for the ability to interpret it. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding remains unfruitful. What then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with understanding. For if you give a blessing only with the spirit, how will someone who is simply listening say Amen to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you have said? You may indeed give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-17)

Sad, isn’t it? So what should we do? 1.

“I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (1 Corinthians 14:18-19)

(2)

“If any man speaketh in a tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most three, and [that] in turn; and let one interpret:” (1 Corinthians 14:27)

(3)

“If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. But let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:37-40)

May God continue to bless you
and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook