The Proper Use Of The Gift Of Tongues

Today’s message is on the gift of tongues. This is not the ability to learn foreign languages easier than other people and then be able to interpret different events for people, but the tongue of angels. And this message is written for members of Christ’s church and not unbelievers. For only believes in Jesus can obtain such a gift as this from God. Now, my reason for writing this is because I of a specific movement I am seeing on YouTube. Where people feel that after a person is baptized, that person should be speaking in tongues. I have also watched ministry videos on YouTube where a person will start speaking in tongues randomly without any interpretation. Are these things of God? Of course not. And we will go through 1 Corinthians 14 to understand the truth. Paul said, ¹“except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.” (1 Corinthians 14:9) ¹“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:13,14) ¹“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” (1 Corinthians 14:27,28) Therefore, unless we understand what people are saying, their gift of tongues is meaningless to us. Without an interpretation, this person should be silent.

So we know that a person with the gift of tongues should always have an interpreter, or else they should speak like everyone else. Paul spoke on this as well and said, ¹“yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” (1 Corinthians 14:19) And did you know that the gift of tongues for Christians is meant for unbelievers, where prophesy is for believers? Paul taught this as well and said, ¹“In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.” (1 Corinthians 14:21,22) We also learn, ¹“how is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Corinthians 14:26) So we are to be edified by hearing the gift of tongues and then getting its interpretation along with it. People should not be confused or wonder what it all means. Lastly, ¹“brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:39,40) There is nothing wrong with the gift of tongues, and we should not tell people otherwise. This we know, for it does edify people when an interpreter is around, especially to unbelievers as a sign from God.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that every person who has the gift of tongues will always use this gift for edifying the saints and for bringing souls unto You. Surely, this gift is used to showcase Your signs from heaven, but it can do nothing good unless an interpreter is with them. I believe what the Bible says and that we should keep quiet or speak normally if people cannot hear and also understand us. Sure, this may not be the norm of evangelical Christianity today, but if people are keeping to their own beliefs that don’t agree with Your words, then they should be counseled to one on one. Even with the desire to lead our brothers and sisters into the saving knowledge of Your words in the Bible and not their own. It is my desire that people would read the entire Bible and never stop reading it. Then, would Your words be written in our hearts. We will be able to give a word of knowledge to people because we are carrying with us what has been spoken in scripture. And Lord, so often do people fill their minds up with the junk of this world, where Your teachings are now clouded and cannot take root in their hearts. Therefore, I pray that these same people will eventually find freedom from all their junk, which is very sinful in Your sight. That they will be willing to give it all to You and be forgiven. The same goes for people who feel they are ultra spiritual and can speak with the tongues of angels. Let them be humbled down a little as they read what this gift is for and when to use it according to 1 Corinthians 14. I am grateful to have read this chapter so many times in life. I love it, for Your Words are alive and active to those who read and cherish them. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1 Corinthians 14

¹1 Corinthians 14 (KJV)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.