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I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5, NLT).
The New Testament teaches that there is a gift of speaking in tongues.
Of the 21 spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, the gift of tongues was the most controversial gift in the first century and even today. Some insist every follower should speak in tongues, while others teach that the gift of tongues was only for the first century.
My definition of the gift of tongues is – speaking in a language that you don’t know, a language given to you by God for your peace and the edification of others.
The gift can easily be abused, as the tongues spoken in an assembly might not be understood by those in attendance. And if several people start speaking in tongues, the situation gets confusing.
As the Apostle Paul writes …
If unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy (1 Corinthians 14:22).
When I first became a Christian, those who prayed with me to accept Jesus also insisted that they pray for me to speak in tongues. They prayed, and I sensed the Spirit of God and began speaking in tongues – four words, to be exact.
Within three months of my conversion and speaking in tongues, I led 100 teenagers to know Jesus. I’ve often wondered what would have happened if I had been given 12 words.
I still pray those four words regularly.
The Apostle Paul does not (nor does any other New Testament writer) discourage speaking in tongues today. Paul does give instructions on the appropriate way to use the gift in a church service.
As Paul says …
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you (1 Corinthians 14:18).
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people (1 Corinthians 14:33).
About 30 years ago, I was leading a worship service, and a lady stood up and spoke in tongues. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room. Then a young man gave an interpretation. The room settled a bit, but still, many looked around with confusion.
Then a young woman said, “I’m just back as a missionary from Central America. The language spoken was a rare dialect of Spanish from the country where I served. And the interpretation given was an exact translation.”
I knew both the young lady who spoke in tongues and the young man who interpreted – and neither spoke Spanish – or a rare dialect of Spanish.
Tongues appropriately administered in our prayer lives and through prophecy in our assemblies releases a supernatural power of wonder with ensuing peace.
As Paul concludes his instruction on speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthian 14:25 …
As they [we] listen, their [our] secret thoughts will be exposed, and they [we] will fall to their [our] knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you [us]. (OGV)
The gift of tongues eliminates fear.
When I’ve been in an assembly of believers and tongues were expressed as a prayer language by worship leaders – the impact was powerful.
As I was writing this Interruption, I was listening to a playlist of randomly selected worship music. A song started playing entitled “I Will Not Fear,” and the worship leader started her song by singing in tongues.
Wow!
If you are experiencing fear or anxiety, click the link below, and allow God’s Spirit to bring peace.
I Will Not Fear (Elohim Shomri) Extended – by Yeka Onka | Jesus Co. & WorshipMob
