Under the InfluenceSample

Day 7: What Is Speaking in Tongues?:

Welcome to day 7! On the final day of the Under the Influence Plan, we’re talking about speaking in tongues.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of baptism with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. It remains a subject of needless contention and dispute, even as Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, which practice gifts of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, have grown to around seven hundred million people worldwide and continue to grow. Some Christians don’t consider it necessary; others feel uneasy or afraid of this gift. Still, others have had bad experiences with people or situations where speaking in tongues was practiced or sought.

Paul said there are two aspects of this gift: speaking in tongues in a person’s personal prayer life and speaking in tongues with an interpretation in a church setting for the benefit of everyone. Confusion can arise when we don’t identify which type of tongues Paul refers to throughout 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14. People’s ignorance and neglect of this fact have led to incalculable misunderstandings about how the gift of tongues functions in church settings and our lives. We must understand the difference between the two exercises of the gift of tongues so we can operate in the power of each.

In 1 Corinthians 12:1-6, Paul makes the point that all gifts and activities flow from the Holy Spirit; they will never conflict with one another and cause disorder or confusion.

Some Christians today do not distinguish between the personal and the corporate (group) function of tongues, so they associate speaking in tongues with public disorder and reject it entirely. This is unbiblical and not the will of God for any church. It springs from bias and unnecessary confusion about this gift.

Let me assure you that this gift of tongues is meant for every believer. While not all will give public messages in tongues, I believe all can and should seek a personal prayer language that God offers us as part of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls it speaking in tongues, praying in tongues, praying in the spirit, singing in the spirit, and many other descriptions. All refer to the same gift—this personal language God gives us.

I hope that you've been empowered over the past seven days with a deeper understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and how He operates in our lives. But your learning doesn’t have to stop here! For more on the Holy Spirit, check out my full Under the Influence book by going to LINK.