Few other topics among Christian communities are more confusing and controversial, then the topic of tongues; spiritual tongues to be precise. There are countless different positions, doctrines and theologies regarding tongues – their existence, their purpose, and the forms which they take or don’t take. In-fact there are so many different positions, that most people don’t even know what they believe regarding tongues at all!
The scriptures however, do not leave us guessing about tongues – in-fact God wants us to know and understand the wonderful gift which He has given to us; and to receive it for all that it is worth.
That’s why, in this study today, we will cut through all of the man-made opinions, theologies and doctrines, and see the truth of tongues as the scriptures defines it. And by seeing this, you will see tongues for what it really is, and the marvelous gift of God, made possible in Christ Jesus, by His Spirit.
As we begin with part 1 of our study on spiritual tongues we are going to lay the foundation, and focus primarily today on the first type of tongues, which is the private personal prayer tongue. And some may wonder why this is even important. “Just let people believe whatever they want to believe. It’s no big deal.”
However the scriptures instruct us to “not be children in understanding” (1st Corinthians 14:20), even specifically about this topic of spiritual tongues. God wants His children to know, and to understand, and to receive these things. God would not give us a useless gift, or a gift of no value – one that can just be discarded without thought, or without loss… those are not the kind of gifts which our Father in Heaven gives to His children.
In-fact in Luke 11:13, it is mentioned that our Father in Heaven knows how to give good gifts (the Holy Spirit) to those that ask Him. And spiritual tongues is one of the gifts of the Spirit (1st Corinthians 12:1-11).
Now, generally speaking, believers will take one of three positions regarding tongues:
- That they don’t exist at all.
- That they existed in biblical times, but have since ceased.
- That they exist, but only in a certain way.
And every person has a reason to take one of these positions, but we are not interested in the traditional reasons of men; we are only interested in what the scriptures themselves say. So let’s begin by reading the most famous section of scripture regarding spiritual tongues, which is 1st Corinthians 14:1-4, to start with:
“Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.”
Now as I stated, this begins the most famous chapter in all of scripture that addresses the issue of tongues, but there is a key point here that many people miss when reading it… and that is, that 1st Corinthians chapter 14, actually defines three different types of tongues in the chapter.
This is such an important concept to understand because confusion starts to creep in if people see only one or at the most two types of tongues being discussed, and then try to squeeze the verses of the chapter in the box of only one or two tongues… that’s when things begin to get jumbled. So let’s take a look here beginning with the verses that we just read, and immediately we can begin to see a distinction between tongues being made by the writer Paul here:
In verse 1, he says Follow after love, and the Greek word for love there is ἀγάπη – the divine love of God. As believers, we should always be focused on the divine love of God for us, allowing it to surround us, wash over us, and flow through us to others. This is why knowing our spiritual identity is so very important, because everything (including spiritual gifts) are all rooted on and founded on the finished work of Christ, which placed us securely in the love of God.
Next we see that he says to desire spiritual gifts, and especially, to prophesy. This is interesting because some people do not desire spiritual gifts at all. Some just brush them off, either as non-existent, as fantasy, or they take a “whatever” kind of attitude, such as “oh well, if God wants me to have it, I’ll have it.” – yet as we read, we are told here to desire them. And the Greek word used for “desire here is ζηλόω, meaning to burn with zeal, to be heated, to boil with passion. When is the last time you have experienced that when thinking of any of the spiritual gifts, let alone tongues? Yet we are told right here that this is the kind of raw passion we should have about them.
And following this statement, right in verses 2 through 4, is when we begin to see the distinction made, between the different types of spiritual tongues – let’s examine what verses 2 through 4 say:
“For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church.”
Notice the distinction being clearly made here. The first is a private, personal spiritual tongue, while the second is a public prophetic spiritual tongue tongue.
For the private tongue , we can clearly see that the person is not speaking to men, but he is speaking to God! Men do not understand the language being used, but God does. It’s important to understand that this private, personal tongue is not mere gibberish, or babbling as some think it to be, but it is an “unknown tongue” as the scriptures define it. It is a language that only God knows, and through this gift, by the empowering of His Spirit, you are speaking to Him alone.
In contrast, the public prophetic tongue, is for others to hear. We see that the Spirit uses this specific tongue to speak edification, exhortation and comfort to those who hear it.
In verse 4 we see it made even more certain for us, that the person who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself – whereas the person who speaks in a prophetic tongue edifies the church; that is the assembly of believers.
So one tongue is private, speaking only to God, for personal edification.
While the other tongue is public, speaking to whoever will hear, and it is to edify the assembly.
In both of these cases, edification happens; and it is good, godly edification, building up and strengthening in Christ. And I believe that this point is an important one to address – because it is not wrong, bad or selfish to allow yourself to be edified in Christ. In-fact it is essential to be so, and it’s actually the purpose for the first type of spiritual tongue to be given as we read in the scripture.
God, your Father, wants you to be strengthened, and built-up in Him; in Christ and in the New Covenant of His Grace. This fact is confirmed for us in Jude 1:20:
“But you beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit”
This is the purpose of the private personal tongue, and it is the will of God that we fill ourselves up with His Spirit, and be built-up in Him as much as possible. It benefits us to do so. Consider Ephesians 5:18-20:
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always above all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Notice that we are actually encouraged to speak to ourselves in Psalms, Hymns, and yes even spiritual songs. (Those are not just songs with a spiritual theme or spiritual lyrics – but, actual songs of the Spirit)
We are told to Give thanks always. And according to 1st Corinthians 14:17, your private prayer tongue is considering giving thanks well between you and God. If it was just useless gibberish, the scripture would’ve said so, but it clearly says that you are giving thanks well, whenever you make use of your private prayer tongue – albeit, it is not meant for the public, as the prophetic tongue is.
We will explore this more in the up-coming parts of this study.
For now, today as we end this first part of our study on spiritual tongues, I encourage you to receive all of what God intends for you to have – and to not let the fear and confusion of men, stop you from the marvelous gift of Christ and the power of His Spirit.
Be blessed.