Speaking in tongues is Biblical!

1 Corinthians 14:

1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

Speaking in tongues, according to God’s Word is my heart speaking to God. It is a prayer language, a praise that is between me and the Lord. The chapter continues:

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

The purpose of any spiritual gift, whether it be word of knowledge/wisdom, healing, tongues, prophesy, teaching, tongues or everything else outlined in 1 Corinthians 12, is for edification. What is amazing about speaking in tongues is that it is primarily to build me up. It is a worship and prayer that I want to give to the Lord that my own language just cannot express. So, I speak in the Spirit (V. 1).

5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for[a] he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

We must see the clear distinction between prophecy and speaking in tongues. In the Old Testament, prophecy was the foretelling of God’s Word. On this side of the Cross, since the Lord now speaks through His Word and His Son, prophecy is the forthtelling of God’s Word. Not telling the future necessarily, but the teaching and proclaiming of God’s Word and God the Word, Jesus Christ. When someone prophesies, they speak to believers (V. 3-4).

Now, speaking in tongues is talking to God, like His Word says in verse 2, not to men. So, if one were to speak in tongues in an intimate gathering of believers by the urging of the Spirit, there must be interpretation. And the interpretation is simply a “translation” if you will of that prayer, which is another gift given by the Spirit. The interpretation of a tongue will not sound like “God wants to say to us.” It will be more of a praise and worship prayer directed to God. Remember, “one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God” (14:2, ESV).

Now, Paul plainly states that He desires that all speak in tongues. I can tell you that it is such a beautiful, sweet time of worship. It is beautiful in that it is truly between you and the Lord, and you just really want to tell the Lord that you love Him but words just can’t describe. So, He gives you an entirely different language. It is amazing. And that is why I believe that Paul desires that all speak in tongues.

However, God through Paul desires that more prophesy. Why? So the church can be built up. God’s Word goes forth. He gives more reasons why prophesying is more beneficial to the church:

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speakswill be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts,let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 

Exercise those gifts that will edify the church. And, as was said before, speaking in tongues edifies and encourages your soul. But in addition to and even more than desiring speaking in tongues, desire the gift of prophecy!

13Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Interpretation is key! If at any time the Lord stirs your heart so speak in tongues in a gathering of believers, it must be done in order and there MUST be someone to interpret the tongue. What is the point of speaking in tongues in proclamation in the midst your brothers and sisters if no one interprets? Paul says that he would rather speak five words of prophecy in a language known to the congregation than ten thousand words in a tongue (V. 19).

Fast forwards to verse 26!

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 

Verses 26-33 speaks of the order in which special revelation should come by. Why should there be an order? Because of verse 33, God is not the God of confusion.

Verse 32 is a wonderful verse as many tend to overlook it: “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” Basically saying that the Spirit will not make you do something inordinately. You have control over the gifts given you to employ them in your life and glorify the Lord and edify the body. 

Fast forward to verse 39!

39Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

In conclusion, I want to ask why many are “weirded out” by speaking in tongues. If we just READ THE WORD, we will see that it is something that the Word clearly speaks about. So, let us not forbid it.

In the small gatherings of our youth group, we have experienced the pouring out of the Spirit through tongues and interpretation of tongues. It was such an edifying and beautiful time of worship and prayer. It is in these small gatherings, the Lord has shown up and used His Servants as conduits of the work of His Spirit.

Let Him do what He wills.
If you desire gifts, ask for them.
Just know that the Lord administers the gifts as He wills.
Read 1 Corinthians 12-14 continuously and let the Lord teach you!

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.”