Bingers, are you ready for part 2?! This post may not answer all of your burning questions about tongues, but I can guarantee that you will be binging your bible more after this enticing read! May the Holy Spirit dispel erroneous conceptions of tongue speaking and fill you with greater depth of knowledge on the subject matter. May you grow in your gift while also bearing the fruit of love. In Jesus's name! Amen.
Let's start from the top, when tongues made its debut!
1. The First Accounts of Tonguesđ„
The Holy Spirit in us is evidence of the reality of our salvation because He is our seal (2 Corinthians 1:22) aka Christ's promise that he will come back for us. The Spirit also helps us fulfill our truest calling which in essence is to accomplish good works apportioned for each of us (Ephesians 2:10). Outside of the Holy Spirit, ALL of our works are in vain. This was why Jesus told the disciples to go to the upper room to wait for His Spirit to usher in the new covenant. He said: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earthâ(Act 1:8).
So you might be asking, if the Holy Spirit's goal in us is to make us witnesses, evangelists and great commissioners, what do tongues have to do with anything?
Well tongues were one of the first gifts of the Holy Spirit given to the pioneers of Christ's global church. Check this out:
Acts 2:3-4
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In fact, on numerous occasions when people gathered in anticipation of God's presence, folks received the Holy Spirit and spoke in either heavenly tongues or foreign earthly tongues (miraculously). Take a look for yourself:
Acts 10:46
For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared.
Acts 11:15
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
Acts 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
2. The Role of Tongues for a Believer
Paul knew we would have several questions about what is actually happening when we speak in tongues! Before you give up on me, let's read through ALL of 1 Corinthians 14 focusing on tongues specifically. We will circle back to the broader context later on.
Done reading? Now let's pull the text apart!
1 Corinthians 14:2
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:4:
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
In the following verses we learn three main truths about tongues:
Speaking in tongues edifies you spiritually.
Tongue speaking is controlled by your spirit, not your mind.
Speaking in heavenly tongues is a type of prayer.
Even unbelievers have researched what brain activity looks like while one is speaking in tongues. Researchers found that the frontal lobe does not light up as it should when a person speaks an earthly language, showing that an external force might in fact be in control. If anything, this finding serves as correlational data revealing that there is some supernatural activity at play! We, Believers, know that the data points to the reality that the spirit is praying, not the mind. Check out this video below to learn more when you're done reading this blog post of course. đ
3. The Ranking of Tongues Amongst the Gifts
As you were reading 1 Corinthians 14, you might have been distracted by Paul's persistent encouragement to the church to prophesy or interpret tongues. Thank you for being patient! We are now going to address what Paul was emphasizing throughout the text and why.
1 Corinthians 14:5-6; 10-12
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
Of the gifts, speaking in heavenly tongues is level one primarily because it is only good for you. All of the gifts are ultimately for the church body and not for ourselves. This was news to me! The gifts increase in their value based on their impact on others. Therefore, your goal is always to grow in your love for your church family by seeking after gifts that expand your reach. This is why Paul is stressing the value of either interpreting someoneâs tongues or allowing God to speak directly through you by way of prophecy. So yes, speaking in tongues is a good thing, but leveling up to prophecy or interpreting tongues is an act of love!
4. The Role of Tongues for the Church and the World
Everyone in the church has a role to play when using their gifts, especially during church service where order is supremely critical. We know that tongues is helpful for the individual believer, but when do tongues become a mode of witnessing to unbelievers? Let's take a look:
1 Corinthians 14:13-18; 22-25
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say âAmenâ to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, âGod is really among you!â
Have you ever been in church, and saw someone stand abruptly as the room became pin-drop silent for a towering voice of prophetic Truth to project from human lips! In my experience, the messages have usually been relevant, aligned to Scripture and comforting. Paul is saying that while the gifts are for the body's spiritual growth, they are also meant to lead unbelievers to salvation. The manifestation of gifts serve as a sign of Godâs presence in that room! This means that if we do not abide by the prescribed order for tongues and prophecy, unbelievers in our midst can lose out on the opportunity to experience God!! Salvation is at stake yâall!
Paul went on to say that if this order cannot be maintained, it is actually better to not publicly speak in tongues at all, but rather have someone with the gift of teaching and knowledge speak for the edification of the Believer and the salvation of the unbeliever. Does this mean you canât speak in tongues privately to yourself in your seat at church or even in your house? Not at all. We should never outright forbid the speaking of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39). But the goal is to not drive away unbelievers due to their lack of understanding. Does this principle apply to both types of tongues? Well, if you remember in Acts 2, the second type of tongues spoken was the gift of miraculously speaking an earthly language foreign to the speaker and that too was a sign to the unbelievers. In that case, speak aloud and speak away! The premise still stands because thereâs understanding.
Now is it really up to you whether or not you can speak in tongues, interpret tongues or prophesy? Yes and no. Yesâif you desire the gifts with the right heart posture, God may grant you your petition. But also no, because the gift you may be asking for may not be the appropriate gift for you. Diversity of giftings matter to God because of the interdependent nature of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Therefore, all members can't and won't have the same gift(s) (see 1 Corinthians 12:27-31).
5. The Gifts Require the Fruit
Okay you might be a bit disappointed because you know some avid tongue speakers or miracle workers or prophets or teachers who are highly gifted in the ways Paul describes, but their character does not seem to match up. Listen...I was right there with you. While having this same wondering, I was further confused by Matthew 7:21-23. đ đ đ So you mean to tell me that the Holy Spirit can come upon people, grant them gifts and not save em?? I see you vigorously nodding as my words resonate with your thoughts. Hold your horses, ma'am/sir! Whenever you're confused, reflect on the consistency of Scripture. Context is EVERYTHING! In that same chapter, a few verses up, Matthew talks about false prophets and before he describes these gifted rejects, he states:
Matthew 7:18-20
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Bingo!! It's the fruit of the Spirit that makes all the difference.
The gifts are important. No doubt. They serve as an edifying agent in the body BUT the gifts cannot function void of the fruit of the Spiritâspecifically love.
1 Corinthians 12:31b; 13:1-2
31 ...And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Paul makes clear that none of these gifts amount to anything if you do not love and use them in love. NONE OF THEM. Not apostleship, not teaching, not prophecy, not healing, not tongues. This was critical for Paul to highlight because if you remember from chapter 1, the church of Corinth had all of these gifts, yet they failed to love each other and love God. Their failure to love made them immature (1 Corinthians 3:1) and their failure to accept correction through bearing fruit required them to reflect on the reality of their salvationđ± (2 Corinthians 13:5).
How can the world see Jesus in a church that lacks love? Love is the glue of unity that gives the gifts relevance, for God Himself is love (1 John 4:7-8). Your maturity is not measured by your gift, but by your fruit. Galatians 5:22 starts with love because it is foundational. Love grants you the ability to reject naturally selfish motives that come with being heavily gifted and inclines you to serve the church instead (1 Corinthians 13:4-13).
Tongues is not weird and the giftings have not ceased. It is only when we bear the fruit of love that we are able to properly use these gifts as they've always been intended. One day at glorification, we will no longer be in need of the gifts, for we will perfected by loveâGod Himselfâjoined in holy matrimony with Jesus. At our new beginning, we will find ourselves wrapped up in union with the holy Godhead! Until then, let us utilize our gifts in love to edify members of the global church as we increasingly become one body that reflects Jesus Christ to the world. AMEN!
Yay, you did it! Thanks for binging along!! Until we binge again!âđż