Speaking in tongues
Deutsch
English There are topics where we sometimes have the wrong theology. Unfortunately, our theology also shapes our experiences and vice versa.
I would like to look at a topic with you today where I have the feeling that if we don't hear sound teaching about it, it doesn't strengthen us as a church or in our personal relationship with God, but rather hinders us. Today I will be talking about the topic of speaking in tongues/praying in tongues.
There are many different perspectives on this topic. I'm not saying that my point of view is the only true and complete one. Although I have my theology and my experience, I always want to be ready to learn and understand more about it and to change my perspective if necessary.
Some here may not be familiar with speaking in tongues or have no desire to do so. Others practice speaking in tongues very intensively. So there is a wide range between the individual groups. And I think there are others who would fit right in between. Getting everyone with me will be a big challenge for me today.
Praying in tongues is probably one of the most controversial spiritual gifts and there are many reasons for this: wrong doctrine, wrong practice/abuse, but also certainly the attitude of some who have received the gift of praying in tongues. There are some who consider themselves more spiritual than other Christians because they use the gift of praying in tongues.
Disputes arise in the church or false teaching arises when someone considers themselves spiritually superior simply because of a gift/ability. This can also be the case with other gifts, such as prophecy or healing, that they are viewed and felt to be more spiritual. No gift/ability makes a person more spiritual.
Therefore, it is important to have sound teaching on this subject to clear up misunderstandings. And there are quite a few of these misunderstandings.
There are people who say speaking in tongues is another human language that other people understand, because that's what we read in Acts at Pentecost. Others say it can only be used in the church if someone can interpret it, because Paul commands it that way in his letter to the Corinthians. Then claim that everyone should pray in tongues. Others say: Not true at all. It says so in the Bible.
Depending on how you focus on which Bible passage, you will have a different opinion on speaking in tongues and this will lead to misunderstandings, false conclusions or false theologies. Before we clear up these misunderstandings, let's briefly understand what speaking in tongues actually is:
Tongues is one of the many supernatural gifts God gives. It appears for the first time in the New Testament - more precisely at Pentecost (Acts 2). The people were filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately began to pray in foreign languages. People from outside heard them speaking in their native language. Others who heard the exact same thing said, “They sound like drunks who have had too much wine.” Even at the very first occurrence, there were different perceptions of what people were hearing.
But in order to better understand the following Bible texts about speaking in tongues, it is helpful to know that the Bible speaks of different types of speaking in tongues. This explains why people perceived these languages so differently.
In 1 Cor.12, 10 + 28 it says: To one is given by the Spirit a word of wisdom... to another the ability to speak in different tongues. The Greek even says: into other types of speaking in tongues.
There are a total of 3 different types:
A human language
A language that other people understand and that can be translated. As an example, let's take the event of Pentecost, where people suddenly spoke in other foreign languages without having learned it. This speaking in tongues does not need to be interpreted, but rather translated.
Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 1 Corinthians 14:22+23 (ESV)
Well what now? So is it for unbelievers or not? Yes, this type is for unbelievers. But there is another type:
Tongues as a language that needs interpretation
This is also called heavenly language or angelic language
Unbelievers cannot interpret tongues, they can only translate. You need the Holy Spirit to interpret it. That's another gift.
If I could speak in the languages of the world or with the tongues of angels... 1 Corinthians 13:1 This language should not be used alone but depends on the gift of interpretation.
One will speak in another language while another explains what was said. 1 Cor.14:26 This does not mean that it is translated word for word, it can be, but most of the time it is interpreted.
This type of speaking in tongues is often directed at the entire congregation. Paul definitely does not forbid speaking in tongues in worship. Quite the opposite. He even recommends it.
If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:27+28 (ESV)
Speaking in tongues as a personal prayer language
Now another species is being discussed again. The first two types are also called the public types. The last type is personal prayer language.
These different species have completely different objectives.
The first kind for unbelievers to know God, the second kind for edifying the church and the third kind for oneself.
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (ESV)
The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4 (ESV)
Can everyone pray in tongues? A question that is often asked and hotly debated is: Can everyone pray in tongues? Should everyone pray in tongues? Paul gives a partial answer in 1 Cor. 12:7 ff: “Each of us is given a spiritual gift for the benefit of the whole community.” And then Paul lists some gifts. Please note the context: this is about the gifts that build the church. We read this throughout chapter 12. Then Paul asks the questions: “Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No… Does God give everyone the gift of speaking in other languages? No."
I understand Paul to be talking about the gifts that are given for the edification of the church. So the 2 public types we talked about. Not everyone can edify the church through this gift or these types of tongues. Nevertheless, many say that praying in tongues is for everyone. Why? Because they mean personal tongue prayer.
In the book of Acts we often read that people are filled with the Holy Spirit/baptized and then pray in tongues. In this context, the Greek word “doreo” is always used, which means something like: donation, gift. When speaking of tongues in connection with the other spiritual gifts, the word “charisma” is always mentioned – which means talent, gift, ability. Both are free and should be seen as a gift.
Paul says: I want you all to speak in other tongues, 1 Cor.14:5 and at the same time Paul asks that only 2-3 people pray in tongues, but in the next sentence he says: 1 Cor. 14:39 Prevent no one from speaking in tongues. But that's what you do when you only let 2-3 people have their say.
Paul's statements make sense precisely when we talk about different types of speaking in tongues. We have read that whoever speaks in tongues strengthens his faith or edifies himself. (1 Cor. 14:5)
The word build (Oikodomeo in Greek) in this context means: to build, build, repair a house. (Building sand on a house - parable) I ask myself, why should only some people have the opportunity to build themselves and others not?
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; Mark 16:17 (ESV)
Paul saw the gift as extremely valuable, which is why he used it so much himself.
But there are a variety of reasons why not all Christians pray in tongues. Very often it is due to false teaching. Also often because some people have the gift but don't use it. In the book of Acts we also read that people were not yet filled with the Holy Spirit and therefore did not speak in tongues.
There are various, individual reasons: you could write your own sermon about it. But the fact is that praying in tongues is not a sign of whether you belong to God or whether you are spiritual enough. I can't say Billy Graham didn't have the Holy Spirit because he didn't speak in tongues. Many great men and women spoke or do not speak in tongues.
And just like that, there are many people who speak in tongues but live a life that is anything but Christian. What is important for our discipleship is that the Spirit works in us and changes us so that it can express its fruit.
At the same time, God has given us something that has a specific purpose and purpose for us - as strange and crazy as this gift may seem. We should strive for it, says Paul. And we shouldn't stop anyone - including ourselves - from exercising this gift.
We have heard that this builds, strengthens, and repairs our faith. But what exactly does that mean? The opposite of belief is unbelief. As faith is strengthened, unbelief is diminished.
When I pray in tongues, at this moment I feel no fear, worry, doubt, perplexity, anxiety or any form of hopelessness.
I'm not saying those feelings went away after that, but in that moment they are gone. And I notice how my faith is building.
Praying in tongues gives us wisdom.
I notice that I'm suddenly gaining insights that I didn't have before. I have a problem, pray in tongues and then have an idea, a solution and we see God's will in a situation.
What I personally experience relatively often after I have prayed in tongues for a while is that healings or preservations occur. I sometimes feel that the Holy Spirit is urging me to pray, but I have no idea for what, why and I have no choice but to pray in tongues and then sometimes I hear the resolution that someone has been healed, delivered or preserved.
For me they are not coincidences. Because sometimes it even matches the time exactly. I have heard similar testimonies from many others.
I also have the feeling that speaking in tongues makes me more courageous, my fear of people becomes less, I dare to speak up about things or do things that I may have been afraid of before.
Another point is that I notice that I am becoming more confident in my identity, bolder, because most of the time you are speaking in tongues, you will be glorifying God Himself without even checking. We read this often in the Bible. Speaking in tongues is pure worship and when you worship God, you not only recognize God, but also who you are in Jesus.
My relationship with God definitely deepens through verbal prayer. Probably has something to do with strengthening my faith.
Through speaking in tongues, other spiritual gifts can be activated, such as the prophetic, we receive divine knowledge, for example we know how to pray for healing, we receive visions. We also read this side effect often in the book of Acts.
Speaking in tongues also destroys lies in my head, making speaking in tongues part of our armor.
The armor from Ephesians 6 describes different things that help us to be prepared. The Armor ends with Paul asking us to pray in the Spirit - that is, to pray in tongues - this is often used as a synonym: 1 Cor.14:14.
One thing that happens to me a lot when I pray is that my thoughts often wander. This has never happened to me when speaking in tongues. My mind/thoughts are like switched off. (even scientifically proven)
Yes, this gift is strange, but God does strange things quite often. There is so much power in praying in tongues that helps us to walk with Jesus. It is pure proof that God works without you doing anything seemingly meaningful. You rely on God alone.
Every language sounds different. If your language sounds different, then that's exactly right. Many people think that this prayer in tongues is a gift where you are controlled by others. No. Definitely not. You decide when to talk, when to use it. Our minds often hold back our mouths. I always say I am in control of my mouth and God is in control of my tongue.
Many people don't dare because they think they are doing something wrong or are imagining it. Or they wait for God to miraculously open their mouth. In fact, it's easier to pray in languages with people who already have it because then you don't feel quite so strange.
I would encourage everyone to use this language. I want to encourage everyone to reach out, rediscover them, use them even more. I have learned to love them again and not a day goes by when I don't pray in tongues for at least 30 minutes.
Prayer: God, I come to you now and confess my guilt and ask you to forgive me. Please set me free in Jesus name and come with your Holy Spirit and fill me now. Lord fill her/him.
Author: Melanie Kundt
Images: https://unsplash.com/
