You may be thinking, There isn’t much in the Bible about tongues. How can this book I’m reading have a whole chapter on the topic? In fact there is a fair amount in the Bible about speaking in tongues—much more than, for example, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ found only in Matthew 1:23 and Luke 1:27 and 34, a doctrine that the church has held for centuries.
People occasionally make a number of errors when it comes to thinking about praying in tongues. Most important, these mistakes can easily hinder people from valuing the experience and, as a result, might keep them from wanting to speak in tongues.
Error 1: Tongues Are Only a Sign of Spirit Baptism
If you read the book of Acts, you will see a clear connection between speaking in tongues and being baptized in the Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). As a result, some Christians have concluded that tongues are the initial evidence of being baptized in the Spirit—that is, that tongues are a key indicator of a person having been baptized in the Spirit. Whether or not this conclusion is correct, the way some have emphasized this connection between tongues and Spirit baptism has actually (and ironically) caused some people to pray in tongues less. They reason that if tongues are only a sign of Spirit baptism, all a person has to do is speak in tongues once and he or she can stop, since tongues are presumably nothing more than proof of a previous experience. In this sense, tongues can become something like a diploma that tells you, “I once went to college, but now I’m done studying—and I don’t need to speak in tongues anymore.” Again, the problem with thinking that tongues is only a sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is that, first of all, there is no reason to expect that speaking in tongues could be an enduring spiritual practice for a believer, beyond that first instance. This would also mean praying in tongues has no meaning or value by itself, because the purpose of praying in tongues would then only be to point to something else, that is, Spirit baptism. In reality, there is much more to Spirit baptism than praying in tongues, and the gift of tongues is more than just a sign of Spirit baptism.
Error 2: Tongues Are Just for a Few People
People often mistakenly think speaking in tongues is only for a few people. It is easy to understand why someone might think this. For starters, in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Paul referred to speaking in tongues as a “gift.” If it is a gift, wouldn’t we think only the gifted would be able to speak in tongues? The answer might seem to be yes. And this conclusion might find further support in Paul’s questions at the end of 1 Corinthians 12, where he asked, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” (vv. 29–30). Paul’s implied answer to all these questions was, “No, not everyone is an apostle, not everyone teaches, does miracles . . . or speaks in tongues.” And this is true. The Spirit gives people different gifts. At the same time, if we read this passage closely, it becomes clear that when Paul implied that not everyone speaks in tongues, he did not have in mind the more general practice of praying in tongues. Rather, he was saying more specifically that not everyone has the gift of speaking in tongues for a church congregation, a gift that is followed by the gift of interpretation. This does not mean, however, that only a few people (the gifted) can pray in tongues.
Considering a few other gifts of the Spirit makes this apparent. Paul referred to “gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28). Like Paul, we can ask, “Do all have gifts of healing?” (v. 30). And the answer would be no. Yet, God can use any praying Christian to heal somebody. Similarly, we can ask, “Do all have the gift of helping others?” Again, the answer would be no. But I sure hope that when I am in a pinch, anyone has the ability to help me, even if they don’t think they are “gifted.” The same could be said about the gift of encouragement, the gift of giving, and other gifts (Romans 12:8). If only those with the gift of giving can give, pastors might as well quit passing the offering plate on Sunday morning. If some have the gift of prophecy, and yet “you can all prophesy in turn” (1 Corinthians 14:31), it becomes clear that, similarly, some can have the gift of tongues for a congregation, but anyone can potentially speak in tongues as they pray. This makes sense of Paul’s warning about times when “the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues” (v. 23). It also makes sense for Paul to have written, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues” (v. 5).
Errors 3 and 4: It’s Magical or It’s “Just Me”
A third error some people make regarding praying in tongues is thinking that because the Spirit is involved, tongues are a magical thing we have no control over. One person told me she wasn’t going to speak in tongues until God made her do it. She expected God to basically pry her mouth open and magically move her tongue and force sounds to come out of her mouth. People like this wait in silence, saying nothing, supposing that a miracle will eventually take place.
From a completely opposite perspective, when the friend I mentioned in the beginning of this chapter spoke in tongues for the first time, he wondered if it was “just him.” That is, he questioned if he was only making up senseless sounds. Likewise, some people who haven’t spoken in tongues think tongues are just gibberish.
Let’s try something. Say this really fast a few times: “He bought a Honda. She bought a Hyundai. Could have bought a Kia. Should have bought a Ford.” You probably sound like you are praying in tongues, but really all that you are doing is buying cars. Similarly, when I jump out from behind a corner and try to scare my young daughters by yelling, “Hucka-ba-lucka!” I am still not speaking in tongues. Once one engages in speaking in tongues enough, it becomes clear that not just any noises equate to tongues.
One summer as I was counseling children at a church camp, the leaders of the camp taught about being filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. At the end of one evening message, they invited children to walk to the front of the muggy sanctuary to be prayed for. Two young boys scampered to the stage and then sat facing one another on the stairs. One looked at his friend and said, “Repeat after me,” and then he proceeded to teach his friend a few noises that resembled what he heard when others had spoken in tongues. As innocent as this was, it wasn’t speaking in tongues because it isn’t just any noises we make.
Synergy with the Spirit
When we genuinely pray in tongues, God is involved. As Paul said, those “who speak in a tongue . . . utter mysteries by the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:2). So it isn’t “just me.” But at the same time, tongues are not a magical thing I have no control over. Rather, the truth is somewhere in the middle. I am involved when I pray in tongues, and God is also involved. A synergy of sorts occurs. The Spirit is involved, yet Paul could say, “I speak in tongues” (v. 18) and “I will pray” in tongues (v. 15). In other words, we can decide to pray in tongues even though the Spirit enables us. Or perhaps I should say, because the Spirit enables us.
I have heard stories from some Christians who have had experiences when they felt like they had no choice but to speak in tongues. But, more often than not, when people pray in tongues they experience their spirit working together with the Spirit of God. Frank Macchia’s testimony of the first time he spoke in tongues illustrates this: “I felt a fountain well up within me. It grew stronger and stronger until it burst forth with great strength. I began to pray in tongues. It was not forced, neither from me nor from God. In fact, it seemed at the moment to be the most natural thing to do.”2 As with this example, most people who pray in tongues affirm that they still have good control over themselves while speaking in tongues. Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians to take turns and limit the amount of speaking in tongues in a church gathering also presupposes that people have some control over when they might speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:27–28, 32). The Spirit usually does not force one to speak in tongues. Rather, speaking in tongues occurs through a synergy as the Spirit enables people to pray in tongues.
Unfruitful?
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br /> In the midst of 1 Corinthians 14, Paul said something seemingly negative about tongues when he revealed that his “mind is unfruitful” when he prayed in tongues (v. 14). For many people in today’s scientifically and technologically advanced societies, doing something where our minds are considered unfruitful doesn’t sound positive. Nevertheless, just because a person’s mind is unfruitful as they pray in tongues doesn’t mean praying in tongues as a whole is an unproductive exercise. We human beings are more than just minds. When a person prays in tongues, they can say, “My spirit prays” (v. 14). Even though Paul’s mind was unfruitful as he prayed in tongues, he didn’t limit prayer to a language he knew. Instead, Paul reasoned, “So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding” (v. 15).
As someone prays in tongues, they may not understand what they are praying about, and their mind may be unfruitful, but this does not mean it is meaningless or irrational prayer. Rather, praying in tongues is a supra-rational experience—that is, an experience that goes beyond our understanding and rationality. Many other experiences in life might be described as being above rationality. A person can communicate sorrow or pain through weeping in a way words cannot express. One might convey joy through dancing or jumping up and down. Through a painting or sculpture, an artist can express thoughts and emotions that go beyond words. Likewise, sometimes people feel the need to express themselves to God by clapping, or kneeling, or raising their hands. At other times people respond to God’s presence with reverent silence. Some have also had an experience where they sense the presence of the Holy Spirit and start weeping. When asked, they can’t quite explain why they are crying, but they know God is doing a deep work in their heart. As in each of these supra-rational experiences, as people pray in tongues, the Spirit helps them express things to God that the mind alone is unable to put into words. Their minds may be unfruitful, but their prayers are not.
Praise, Thanksgiving, and Edification
Sometimes when people pray in tongues, they “are praising God in the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:16). Thus, when people spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost, the Bible says they were “declaring the wonders of God” (Acts 2:11). When people pray in tongues, it is also possible that they “are giving thanks” to God (1 Corinthians 14:17). I can certainly say that many times I have been in a worship service or praying on my own when exclaiming, “Praise you, God!” or, “Thank you, Jesus!” just doesn’t seem to be enough. At times like this I often choose to praise God in tongues.
Praying in tongues can also be edifying, for “anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves” (1 Corinthians 14:4). Paul continued by cautioning, “but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” I will remind you once again that Paul only wrote the last part of this verse because he was correcting the Corinthians. When someone speaks in tongues, “no one understands them” (v. 2), and because of this, if a person goes to church and prays in tongues all the time, it isn’t going to benefit others at the church. Similarly, if I wrote this book in tongues (if that were possible), it would not be helpful. I can certainly understand Paul’s concern. I would rather write “five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” (v. 19).
While noting Paul’s desire that the Corinthians edify one another in church, we must be careful not to miss where he affirmed some value in tongues, for “anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves” (1 Corinthians 14:4). But what does it mean to edify? I don’t remember the last time I arrived home from work and said to my wife, “Hi, honey. What a great day. I was really edified today.” The Greek word translated edify (oikodomē) means “to promote growth or to build up [like building or repairing a house].” So when you need to be built up or repaired—some people call this inner healing—that can be a time to pray in tongues. Romans 8:6 reminds us that “the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” This can come about as you edify yourself by praying in tongues.
Another Form of Prayer
Overall, praying in tongues is another form of prayer; Christians can “pray in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:15). And just as you can pray about anything in a language you know, you might pray about anything in tongues. Sometimes you might have desires and prayers you just can’t express with words. Praying in tongues can help you express those feelings to God. Or you could be praying for yourself or for another person and not know how to pray, but the Spirit might help you by enabling you to pray in tongues. One advantage of doing this is that as the Spirit prays through you, your prayers won’t be selfish or out of order because “the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27).
Praying in tongues can also serve as a means of building your relationship with God. It is no secret that, in general, prayer is foundational to intimacy with God. This is why “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Like other forms of prayer, when I pray in tongues, I am doing more than just giving requests to God—I am having communion with God. Therefore, praying in tongues is important not only because of the things I am saying, but also because of what God is doing through me and in relationship with me.3 Whenever I pray in tongues, my spirit is engaged with or immersed in God’s Spirit. To use Paul’s words, my “spirit prays” (1 Corinthians 14:14), but I also “utter mysteries by the Spirit” (v. 2). In this type of praying, you can grow in your relationship with God.
Encouragement
If you are someone who has already spoken in tongues, I hope I have encouraged you to make praying in tongues a regular part of your relationship with God. When I was a teenager, I prayed in tongues fairly regularly, but over time I started to get a little cynical regarding the practice. My cynicism was not really a result of the gift of tongues itself, but of certain people who spoke in tongues. I had come across a number of people who prayed in tongues but who didn’t seem to exhibit much of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). Others seemed insincere as they prayed in tongues. I remember one evening when I watched someone in a prayer meeting wander back and forth through the room, praying in tongues. As he walked he was gazing around at other people like he was out for a stroll through the neighborhood. I figured he wasn’t actually praying to God—he was just making some noise, like “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). As a result of experiences like this, although I didn’t completely quit praying in tongues, the practice began to lose importance for me.
A number of experiences, though, renewed my perspective on praying in tongues. For example, I remember when I was working in a church and my office was next to another pastor’s office. Every once in a while, the other pastor would crank up the music in his office and worship God. And, quite often, he would pray in tongues. While this was sometimes a little distracting, on more than one occasion I could so feel the presence of God that I had to stop what I was doing on my computer and, unbeknownst to the other pastor, I would join him in worshipping and praising God in tongues. The fact that the other pastor sat alone in his office helped me overcome my cynicism. He was not putting on a show for the church congregation. He was not praying in tongues so people could see him acting spiritual in the prayer room. He was just being authentic in his relationship with God. Moments like this have encouraged me to realize that even if some people seem to be “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” when they speak in tongues, I can still find great value in the practice.
How to Speak in Tongues
My desire for everyone who reads this chapter is the same as Paul’s: “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:5). Nevertheless, I know some people will read this who have not yet spoken in tongues. You might think, I’m not spiritual enough. Or, I’m too weak. I could never speak in tongues. I’ve got good news for you! If you feel this way, you are actually an excellent candidate to pray in tongues so you, too, can be edified, or built up, through the experience. It is encouraging to remember that the New Testament
described both mature Christians (like Paul) and immature Christians (like the Corinthians) who spoke in tongues. Perfection is not a requirement.
You may be wondering, then, How do I speak in tongues? I wish there were an easy answer to this. Despite what some books and pastors might say, I do not see a formula in Scripture that explains how to speak in tongues. Sometimes someone might lay hands and pray for a person before the person starts praying in tongues (Acts 19:6), but not always (Acts 10:44–46). Sometimes it happens in a prayer meeting (Acts 2:1–4), and other times it doesn’t. It can happen in different places, in different ways.
Nevertheless, I do see at least two principles in the Bible that might help you receive the ability to pray in tongues. First, the Bible teaches us to “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:1). In most cases, God is not going to give you a gift that you do not truly want. This includes speaking in tongues. I know someone who sat on his hands while he was in a church service because he was sure that if he raised his hands in worship to God, he was going to start speaking in tongues.
A second principle for gaining the ability to pray in tongues is to ask God to give you the ability. Jesus said,
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