Speaking in Tongues
1. Not all Christians speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit has not given it to them. For...
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. and there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. Bu the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues, But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
I Corinthians 12:5-112. It is obvious that not everyone in the early Church spoke in tongues, for the apostle Paul said, "Do all speak with tongues?" (I Corinthians 12:30) Yet that same apostle Paul said, "I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all;" (I Corinthians 14:180 And he also said, "I wish you all spoke with tongues;" (I Corinthians 14:5) Why did he say that?
3. I remember the first time I spoke in tongues. The experience of it was like heaven come down on earth! I was in the presence of God! It is hard to describe even now. But there I was, a senior in Bible school, experiencing the fiery love of God for the first time. Notice that I said "love" not "power." Of course there was power, but the thing that struck me most was love. God loved me! God loved me! Now, after so many years, it makes sense. God is love. Anyone coming into His presence would feel loved. I had met love by surprise! I was no longer alone in the universe! Up until that time I had not known that God could be so personal, or that He could use me for anything.
4. Paul said, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself." (I Corinthians 14:4) And that is true. But what does "edify" mean? The book of Jude has the answer...
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God: Jude 1:20-21
To "edify" means to build up. He who speaks in tongues builds himself up in the love of God. That's why Paul said, "I wish you all spoke with tongues."
5. Spirit led speaking in tongues is talking to God. I don't know how it works. I just know that it works. "Talking to God" can take the form of intercession, praise, worship, thanksgiving, prayer, or simply communing with God as a friend. When I am in the Spirit, talking to God, I am in the secret place of the Most High.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses, For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (italics mine)
6. The apostle Paul quoted an interesting verse from the Old Testament concerning speaking in tongues.
With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me. I Corinthians 14:21
Paul was quoting from Isaiah.
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, "This is the rest, and this is the refreshing with which You may cause the weary to rest." And "This is the refreshing."; yet they would not hear: Isaiah 28:11-12
How can you rest if you are not winning? What if someone does not come home from work? Or what if a child is deathly sick? Our spiritual warfare gets pretty intense sometimes. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Yet there is this... God has seated us in heavenly places in Christ - far above all principalities and powers. (Ephesians 1:21 and 2:6) How can we experience that reality? One way we can do it is by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us utterance. We can defeat those principalities and powers by praying in the Spirit, for He makes intercession for us according to the will of God, who desires all men to be saved. Now I do not know how it works. I just know that it works.
note: If you don't speak in tongues, you can still pray in the Spirit, as the Spirit leads, in English, or whatever language you speak. Just ask the Holy Spirit of God to take over, and lead you as you pray.
7. I have very rarely heard false tongues, but there are false tongues, just like there are false teachers and false prophets. Nevertheless, know this: Before there can be a counterfeit, there has to be a reality! The devil mimics God in order to spread confusion, lies, deceit, and division in the Body of Christ. But when we are aware of the devil's devices, and we can defeat them. Paul said tongues are for the purpose of edification. If there are tongues that do not edify, they are not from God. It's as simple as that.
note: What if someone's speaking in tongues does not edify? What then? What should you do? Talk to the elders, or the pastor and let them know. They can decide what to do.
note: Read I Corinthians 14 for instructions on the proper use of speaking in tongues in church.