Speaking in tongues

You want to know whether speaking in tongues is allowed for Christians? I think the Bible says “yes”. Paul, the well known Christian leader of the New Testament says that he himself once used the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18).

There is an important second question and that is: How must the gifts of the Holy Spirit be used in the congregation? Please read 1 Corinthians, chapters 12, 13 and 14 very carefully. In those chapters Paul deals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and gives special attention to the gift of speaking in tongues. I want to stress the following main points on the subject:

1. Be thankful and humble for whatever gift has been given to you. It is a gift from God. You do not deserve it. Therefore you cannot be filled with pride because you possess it (1 Corinthians 12:7).

2. The whole congregation must share the benefit of the gift which you have received (1 Corinthians 12:7). Not only you must benefit from it, but it must strengthen and build the whole congregation (1 Corinthians 14:4; 1 Corinthians 4:12, 26).

3. You must not cause division and strife within the congregation by your gift or gifts (1 Corinthians 12:25).

4. Everybody does not receive the same gift. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to God’s children, as he wishes to do. (1 Corinthians 12:11). Therefore no one must regard himself, because of his gift, more important than another who has not received the same gift as he did (1 Corinthians 12:21).

5. The greatest gift of all is love (1 Corinthians 12:31 and 1 Corinthians 13).

6. Speaking in tongues is mostly used in prayer when we speak to God, and not so much when we speak to others like in a sermon (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14).

7. Speaking in tongues must always be accompanied by interpretation so that everybody who listens can understand what is said (1 Corinthians 14:13).

8. Speaking in tongues is intended for private use when I am in my prayer closet, and not so much for use in the congregation (1 Corinthians 14:18-19).

9. Speaking in tongues is, according to Paul, not the best way to reach an unbeliever with the Gospel of Jesus (1 Corinthians 14:23-24).

10. Speaking in tongues must never dominate the activities in any service or company of believers (1 Corinthians 14:27).

11. My speaking in tongues must never confuse the listeners (1 Corinthians 14:33).

May the Lord bless you and give you a gift with which you can help to build the Lord’s congregation.