Do you need to speak in tongues?

Ask yourself these questions. Do you need two hands to play a guitar? How about two hands to play basketball, or knit a sweater, or operate a computer? Do you need two eyes to drive a car? Do you need two feet to ride a bicycle or run a marathon?

In reality, you could do any of these things despite the impediments mentioned. But it would be a whole lot harder to do any of them.

So, carrying on this theme, can you be a Christian without speaking in tongues?

Yes, you can. Absolutely! But it will be a whole lot harder because God has provided this gift, and every other gift, to help us in our walk with Christ.

Part of the problem in understanding this need is that many people don’t know what the gift of tongues is really for. Many people still believe that it was a gift given to the early church purely for the purpose of spreading the gospel to the known world. And yet, across the Roman Empire at the time, there were two common languages in use. Latin was spoken by academics and rulers, and Greek was the common language used for commerce and communication with the public in general.

Speaking in tongues was never meant to be used to communicate to other men but to God, as the scripture says.

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 14:2)

So, what do we need tongues for?

We need tongues for the Holy Spirit to communicate and pray to God. The Holy Spirit prays to God on our behalf in tongues for our benefit.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

Speaking in tongues is also a weapon for spiritual warfare, and we are encouraged to “pray in the Spirit at all times” (Ephesians 6:18). When we are weak or under spiritual attack, praying in tongues helps us to overcome whatever is causing us problems so that we can gain control.

“…if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14)

This list just scratches the surface of the power of tongues. They can lift you up when you are depressed, remove anger, help you stand against addictions, overcome fleshly weaknesses, bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, and much more. Tongues are a powerful gift from God that He gives to help everyone when they receive the Holy Spirit.

Call to Action

To gain the benefits of the gift of tongues, seek God to receive the Holy Spirit and this gift. Then, in every situation, use the gift. Every time you pray, speak in tongues. Every time you have any of the problems and issues of this life, speak in tongues. When you do, the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will be yours.