I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. In the law, it is written:
“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”
says the Lord.
Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. (1 Co 14:18–25).
Welcome to another episode of the Berean Post Podcast. Just a quick heads up: I’m not part of any religion, denomination, or church, and I’m not here to change your mind or convince you to leave your church. I encourage you to listen to spiritual leaders who know, love, and support you.
I’m here simply reading through the book of 1 Corinthians, trying to understand what Paul was saying to his original audience and how they would have understood his message in their time. I’m always open to any questions, concerns, or insights you’ve picked up over the years.
My early days in a charismatic church exposed me to a place where speaking in tongues was a big part of worship. It was common during group praise and personal spiritual moments.
Tongues have always been, and still are, a hot topic in some circles. Some churches see tongues as a clear sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence and a crucial part of a believer’s spiritual life, making it a key part of their worship. But others are more skeptical, questioning whether tongues are still relevant today or even have a solid biblical foundation, especially when they don’t make sense or aren’t explained.
The debate revolves around two main ideas. Some believe tongues are the miraculous ability to speak in real human languages, helping spread the gospel across language barriers, as described in Acts 2. Others think tongues are a private, spiritual language used in prayer and worship, meant for personal growth and deep communication with God, as described in 1 Corinthians 14. In our last episode, we touched on the gift of tongues. Today, we’re going deeper into this often controversial topic, which has caused disagreements in many Christian communities and even led to church splits.
When we look at key Bible passages, especially Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14, we see strong evidence that tongues are mainly a spiritual language. The story of Pentecost might suggest that the real miracle was in the hearing—where the Holy Spirit helped each person understand the message in their own language—rather than the apostles speaking different languages. This fits with the idea that tongues are a special way the Holy Spirit helps us connect more deeply with God. So, how should tongues be used according to these passages?
Public Use of Tongues in the Bible
The Bible gives us several examples of the public use of tongues. In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues, which people from different places could understand in their own languages. This event is often seen as a powerful example of tongues being used to spread the gospel.
Another example is in Acts 10, where Peter preached to Cornelius and his household. The Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues, which amazed the Jewish believers because it showed that the Spirit was also given to the Gentiles.
In Acts 19, Paul meets disciples in Ephesus who receive the Holy Spirit. They begin speaking in tongues and prophesying, a public display of their acceptance into the community of believers.
Finally, in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul gives specific instructions on how tongues should be used in a public setting. He emphasizes that if tongues are spoken in church, they should be interpreted so everyone can understand and benefit from the message. Paul values tongues but insists that understanding and helping others should come first in public worship.
Private Use of Tongues
The Bible also talks about the private use of tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul explains that when someone speaks in tongues, they speak to God, not to other people, because no one else can understand them—they speak mysteries by the Spirit. This verse is often seen as a reference to using tongues privately in prayer.
Another example is in 1 Corinthians 14:4, where Paul says that those who speak in tongues build themselves up. This suggests that tongues can be used privately for spiritual growth and personal strength.
In 1 Corinthians 14:14-15, Paul talks about his practice of praying in tongues, where his spirit prays even though his mind may not fully understand the words. He shows that there is a balance between spiritual expression and understanding.
Romans 8:26 speaks about the Spirit helping believers in their weaknesses by praying with groans that words cannot express. While tongues are not specifically mentioned, this verse is often interpreted as including spiritual prayer, possibly involving tongues, where the Holy Spirit communicates on behalf of the believer.
Finally, in Jude 1:20, believers are encouraged to build themselves up in their most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. While tongues aren’t directly mentioned, "praying in the Spirit" is commonly understood to include the private use of tongues for personal growth and spiritual strength.
Reconciling Public and Private Use
Paul brings these two views together by showing that both public and private uses of tongues are important and valuable but should be used in the right context. Publicly, tongues should be used to help the entire congregation, meaning they must be interpreted so everyone can understand and benefit. Privately, tongues are a powerful tool for personal prayer and spiritual growth, allowing believers to connect deeply with God.
And speaking of tongues, years ago, I saw something that could only be described as a "tongue-off" between two well-known TV evangelists. Imagine this: these guys took turns shouting in tongues at each other right into the microphone in front of thousands of people. It was like a spiritual rap battle but without the rhythm or the sense. Shockingly, not one person in the crowd thought to pause and suggest they take a break. While "singing in the spirit" might be open to different views, turning tongues into a shouting match isn't in the Bible. But hey, at least they were passionate!
Well, that’s it for today, friends. We’re getting close to wrapping up this book, so thanks for sticking with me through it all. Next up, we’ll be diving into one of the gospels, and I’m excited to explore the life of Jesus and his disciples with you. If there’s a specific gospel, you’d like us to go through, drop me a note. Until next time – Peace to your home!
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