Speaking in Tongues: Biblical Origins, Instructions, and Spiritual Benefits

God started His Church with a miracle of speaking in tongues. Several remarkable miracles occurred on the Day of Pentecost in A.D. 31, where there was a sound from heaven “as of a rushing mighty wind” and there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire. According to Acts 2:4, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The Biblical Meaning of Tongues

The Greek word for “tongues” is glossa. As it is used in Acts 2:4, glossa refers to “the supernatural gift of speaking in another language without its having been learnt.” Verse 8 demonstrates how miraculous this was: “And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?” This miracle simply meant that every member of the audience heard the apostles speaking in his or her own native language “the wonderful works of God,” regardless of what language the apostles spoke.

Apostolic Instructions in 1 Corinthians 14

Many years after this event took place in Jerusalem, some of the members in Corinth had been given the gift to speak in different tongues. However, instead of using the gift to benefit and serve others, they became proud of it. The apostle Paul then wrote 1 Corinthians 14 to address this problem. In verse 9, Paul reminded them: “Unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?”

Later, in verses 27 and 28, Paul gave this instruction: “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church.” Consequently, the language spoken in church has to be of value to the hearers, as an English-speaking audience would not benefit from someone speaking French unless there was an interpreter.

Spiritual Benefits and Disciplines

Praying in tongues is a spiritual discipline and muscle that needs regular exercise. This simple, yet profound, biblical practice has the power to unleash God’s might in and through your life. Just as working out affects the body, mood, and mindset; similarly, praying in the Spirit influences various aspects of our spiritual life. The gift of “speaking in tongues” is not the criterion that proves whether one has the Holy Spirit, but there are transformative outcomes of practicing this exercise toward godliness:

• Inner Strength: You can become stronger when you pray in tongues, as your spirit man is most likely in need of strengthening.
• Building the Spirit: Praying in tongues helps build you up; you are rebuilding and rewiring yourself through the Holy Spirit.
• Spiritual Refreshment: Those feeling overwhelmed can find refreshment by waiting on God.
• Releasing God's River: When you speak in tongues, God’s river begins to flow out of your spirit, through your soul, and into your life.
• Praying God's Will: The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us in line with God’s perfect will.
• Bridling the Tongue: When you speak in tongues, God will begin to give you greater self-control to tame your tongue when it’s necessary.

Transformative Outcomes of Praying in the Spirit

Being filled with the Spirit is not just something we wait on God to do; it’s actually something God is waiting for us to do so He can fill us. Exercise your spiritual muscles and unlock the treasures of the supernatural that are available to you through Christ.