Speaking in Tongues Introduction

Welcome to an exciting introduction of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, with a special focus on the life-changing phenomenon of speaking in tongues. This journey promises to illuminate and inspire, inviting you to experience a deeper connection with God. Imagine stepping into a vibrant encounter with the Holy Spirit, where—over time--the mysterious becomes practical and the mundane is transformed by divine power. If this excites you, read on to discover how spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues, can enrich your life.

Spiritual gifts, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, are supernatural endowments from the Holy Spirit, given to an individual Christian who has been “filled” or “baptized” with the Holy Spirit. These include wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifs of healings, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Each gift serves a distinct purpose and has practical applications in our lives or in the lives of others. Each is a supernatural endowment, transcending the ordinary to connect us with the extraordinary.

Speaking in tongues is probably the most intriguing and misunderstood of all the spiritual gifts. It involves speaking in a language unknown to, and unlearned by the speaker.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Speak in Tongues?

Our son Andrew was about two when Jesus "poured out" the Holy Spirit on him. Andrew could barely talk at that age.

I tucked him in bed at night. The next morning, he announced, “Jesus came to me in the night and gave me tongues.” I wasn’t so sure.

“Ohhh. . . kay. .  . ,” I said hesitantly, trying to grasp the reality of what he was saying.

“Really?” I finally responded.

Andrew remained confident and claimed again that Jesus had come to him and gave him tongues.

“Alright, show me.” I offered. Without a moment of doubt, Andrew started out demonstrating his new tongue.

“Wow,” I thought, “Andrew can barely speak English, but now already he’s speaking in tongues. Jesus really did come to him in the night!”

This gift not only signals the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46) but also provides tangible benefits in daily living. It's a doorway to experiencing God's presence and generally is the pre-cursor to other spiritual gifts.

Speaking in tongues was given by Jesus from heaven on the day He began the church Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:33.

The fact that children can and do receive the gift of speaking in tongues dispels the notion that "you have to be mature to receive the gift." In fact, the Bible makes it clear that the baptism in the Spirit is for children (Acts 2:39) and "all mankind" (Acts 2:17) regardless of age or spiritual maturity. Praise God--we are all candidates to receive this wonderful gift!

Understanding 2 Kinds of Tongues Dispels Confusion

Speaking in tongues not only signals the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:46) but also provides tangible benefits in daily living. It's a doorway to experiencing God's presence and often is the pre-cursor to other spiritual gifts.

Speaking in tongues was given by Jesus from heaven on the day He began the church Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:33.

Did you know there are at least two different kinds of speaking in tongues? These two are easily identified in the following verses.

1Corinthians 14:2—This is tongues-speaking to God. No need for interpretation; God understands it already!

1 Corinthians 14:21—This is the second kind of speaking in tongues, speaking to men. Obviously, this kind needs to be interpreted.

The first, 1 Corinthians 14:2, is the kind of speaking in tongues that everyone “baptized” in the Spirit can receive. It is a private prayer language.

The second type of speaking in tongues Is sometimes called “the gift of tongues.” It is reserved for speaking to other humans in a public meeting. Not everyone receives this ministry (1 Corinthians 12:30). 

Because of this verse and confusion about it, some conclude that not everyone can speak in tongues. I dissent. I agree with Jesus and the Bible when He poured out His Holy Spirit and tongues. The Bible says, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues. . . (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44 and following).

Personally, I had to be prayed for a couple of times before I received. I did not receive the first time I asked. So if you are still hungry for more of God, do what Jesus said and keep asking, seeking, knocking (Luke 11:5-13). He will not disappoint you!

According to the Bible, speaking in tongues can be either the language spoken by angels or a human language (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Tell Me More. . . Is It Practical?

Many wonder about the practicality of these gifts. Speaking in tongues, for example, enhances personal prayer and worship. According to the Bible, one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, or in common parlance, builds himself up (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Praying in tongues is perfect prayer unencumbered by human mind or limitation. Wouldn’t everyone like to pray perfect prayers?

Imagine being able to express your deepest concerns and desires to God, unencumbered by the limitations of human language. This gift assists when words fail, opening a channel to God that brings comfort and insight, especially during life's challenging moments.

In other words, when we don’t know how to pray sometimes, pray in tongues.

But don’t always expect results to come immediately as you pray in tongues; the understanding may come quietly later on. For example, it may come when you are washing dishes or driving to work.

Speaking in tongues can foster a more profound spiritual hunger and thirst for God. As you use your tongue, you may desire more of His presence and guidance. It inspires a journey of exploration, encouraging you to delve deeper into scripture, nurturing a closer relationship with the triune God.

The empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit extends beyond spiritual insights. Most commonly, insights following speaking in tongues involve totally natural things. Often, I have found when I engage in speaking in tongues, (I do it every day), insights come concerning small or “unimportant” matters.
For examples, He has helped me with the plumbing and how to start the lawn mower.)

But I don’t dismiss those whispers. It’s so good to hear encouragement and confirmation from the Comforter.

Tongues speech is so practical—it’s tapping into a divine resource. This empowerment is helpful; it equips us with the courage to face daily challenges with a renewed vigor, knowing we’re not alone.

Another practical benefit of speaking in tongues is the ability to inspire creativity and innovation. By unlocking a divine connection, your mind opens up to new ideas and solutions, filtered through the wisdom of your own mind and the Holy Spirit. This gift becomes a wellspring of hope, influencing both personal and professional aspects of life in surprisingly beneficial ways.

You're likely asking, "Is it possible for me to “hear” the impressions of God and use spiritual gifts?" Absolutely. Speaking in tongues is accessible to all who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Actually, any and every Christian can hear the voice of Jesus (John 10:27), but those baptized in the Spirit and speaking in tongues major in this opportunity. It’s about inviting the Spirit into your life and allowing the use of this unlearned language to develop naturally. It's an adventure in faith—a personal journey where you'll discover the many ways the Holy Spirit whispers to you.

Embrace the mystery and joy that come with speaking in tongues. As you use this gift, you'll find it becomes a practical tool for “hearing” from God. Whether in times of triumph or trial, speaking in tongues brings divine guidance and comfort, acting as both anchor and beacon on our spiritual journey.

Consider the stories of countless individuals who have welcomed Jesus the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues into their lives. One is John G Lake (1870-1935), who was renowned for his amazing healing ministry. Lake and his team were reported to have over 250,000 confirmed healings in a ten-year span. He claimed, “Tongues are the making of my ministry.”

This spiritual gift reinforces faith, providing new dimensions of understanding and connectivity with God. It’s like the old credit card advertisement, “Don’t leave home without it!”

As you embark on this path, let the Holy Spirit inspire you to explore the depths of spiritual gifts. Speaking in tongues isn't reserved for the spiritually elite; it's an invitation for everyone eager to experience more of God. Allow this gift to become part of your daily practice, nurturing your ability to hear His voice clearly and confidently.

In conclusion, speaking in tongues is both a supernatural and practical gift, designed to bring us closer to God and enrich the lives of other people. It encourages spiritual hunger and keeps us filled with the Holy Spirit, infusing us with what we need most at any given time—either vigor or rest.

Along with all this good stuff, here’s a warning. You have to actually speak in tongues to get the benefits. I have known people who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, but failed to use it.

Again—It’s powerful, but you have to use it to receive the benefits!

May you be motivated to seek this blessed gift, experiencing its transformative power and the joy and empowerment it brings. Let it draw you into a deeper, more vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit.