Feature: Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in tongues is a form of communication to God. It is a prayer, and doing so speaks directly to
God alone, according to 1 Corinthians 14:2, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to
people but God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

1. Speaking in Tongues Is a Form of Building the Self

Aside from it being a form of prayer and praise, speaking in tongues is also a form of building oneself. It
enables a person to improve oneself morally and spiritually through God, as Paul explains, “The one
who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church” (1
Corinthians 14:4).

2. Speaking in Tongues Is a Form of Edification to Others

Speaking in tongues is not only building oneself but also building others. It is a way to edify and
encourage others to faith. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Now I want you all to speak in tongues,
but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,
unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up” (1 Corinthians 14:5), he emphasized
that the practice of speaking in tongues is a way to build the entirety of the Church.

3. Speaking in Tongues Is Done in Private

When is it best to speak in tongues? Paul writes that it is best practiced in private, as he says,

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14).

What Paul means by his words is that speaking in tongues in private is praising God through the Spirit.
It may not be understood as he emphasized “my mind is unfruitful” but he emphasized that the Spirit is
praising and worshiping, instead.

4. The Gift of Tongues Is from the Holy Spirit and Spoken

Only to God
Speaking in tongues is only spoken to God. Like other gifts, speaking in tongues is a gift from the Holy
Spirit. Not everyone is bestowed of this gift. Paul writes, ”Now to each one the manifestation of the
Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom… to
another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

5. Speaking in Tongues Is Not Used to Preach the Gospel

Speaking in tongues is not used to preach the gospel, according to the biblical perspective. All three
accounts of the act of speaking in tongues written in the Bible showed signs of supernatural
phenomena and were not made when Paul was delivering the gospel. These three accounts are as
follows: Acts 2:2-3, then in Acts 10:44-48, and lastly in Acts 19:1-7,