The Gift of Tongues

Devotional Tongues – Praying & Singing in the Spirit

A. Introduction

The gift of tongues was first manifested at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). Scripture says that tongues continue to this day and will, like prophecy and knowledge, ultimately cease when the ‘perfect’, Jesus, comes (1 Cor. 13: 8, 10). Meanwhile, love never ends!
Tongues is the language of men and angels and the conversation of the Holy Spirit; it is a ‘lover’s’ language (1 Cor. 13:1). The Spirit loves to speak to us in our own common language and He loves to communicate to us in a heavenly language; both that we can speak back to Him in prayer and worship.
With tongues, the human mind is transcended by the operation of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 14:14).

B. Types of Tongues

Known Languages

At Pentecost, all persons present heard about the mighty works of God in their own language from unlearned men who normally would not have spoken those languages (Acts 2:1-11; 4:13).

Devotional – Praying in the Spirit

The apostle Paul valued tongues, claiming he spoke in devotional tongues more than all believers who lived in Corinth (1 Cor.14:18).
Praying in the Spirit is for the profit of the person who speaks privately to God (1 Cor. 14:2-4, 14-15; Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 3:14-21; 6:18; John 4:24; Jude 20).
There appear to be no limitations to all believers to speak devotionally in tongues (Mark 16:17; 1 Cor. 14:5, 39). By no means do all who speak in tongues devotionally also speak in tongues for the edification of the church, i.e., tongues and the interpretation of tongues.

Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues

Speaking in tongues alongside the interpretation of tongues is a particular gift for ministry in which the speaker(s) communicate(s) to people; the gift given to a few for the profit of the building up of the corporate body (1 Cor. 12:7, 10; 1 Cor. 14:5, 26-27).
This gifting is limited to those God wills; ‘Do all speak with tongues?’ (1 Cor. 12:30).

The differentiation of the various categories of tongues is not so much in ‘the essence’ of them but in ‘the practice’, for the Holy Spirit is intricately involved in each and all (1 Cor. 12:11, 13).

References: Mike Bickle; J. Rodman Williams; Graham Cooke, Kenneth Boa, Southland Church

C. Benefits of Speaking in Devotional Tongues (1 Cor. 14)

Unveiling Mysteries

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 Cor. 14:2).
When we commune with the Spirit He gives information that helps us understand God’s will and heart for ourselves and others. The Spirit ministers to us in our weakness (Romans 8:26-28).
…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:17b-19).
The Holy Spirit is our glorious ‘search engine’ into the deep things of God’s heart. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God…Now we have received…the Spirit…that we might understand the things freely given us by God (1 Cor. 2:10-12).

Edifying Oneself

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself… (1 Cor. 14:4).
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26-27).
Building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).
Edifying oneself means being strengthened, encouraged and consoled. Praying in the Spirit results in our hearts becoming more fully aligned and established in Him.
A person who prays in the Spirit often directs the prayers toward challenging and impossible situations, having faith that things are possible in and through Christ alone; hence, enabling warfare and healing (Mark 9:23).

Blessing and Thanking God; Expanded Worship

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God…giving thanks well enough (1 Cor. 14:2; 15-17).
A present, outward expression of our inward, heaven based unity with Him.
It is a good practice to intentionally direct our attention to God when we pray or sing in the spirit. For example, perhaps our focus needs to be centered on the Father in God’s throne room in heaven (Rev. 4). At other times we might want to speak to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 2 Cor. 13:14). Let us pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 3:10; 5:17).

Praying in tongues is NOT a requirement or proof of salvation; rather, it is a benefit available to us through the work of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a free gift of God for those in a desirous relationship with Him.
Now I want you all to speak in tongues…Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:5, 39).
If you have never received your devotional prayer language, then you can ask for it now. Just ask the Lord to release this particular aspect of His grace to you. You may simply feel the presence of God lightly or just a gentle urge to speak out. Speak out the words that come to you and see what the Holy Spirit does.

E. Respect for Others in the Public ‘Living Room’

Fellowship occurs within the context of the grace of a family-minded God. We seek to edify others and to excel in love; even more so, when gathered (1 Cor. 14: 12, 28).
We show love and consideration for others by praying in tongues quietly to avoid distracting them. It honors the Lord when we show love and consideration for His people.
If the majority of the people, however, are praying aloud in the Spirit or singing in the Spirit together, then, by all means, join in.

F. Praying and Singing in the Spirit

Praying ‘with the Spirit’ and praying ‘in the Spirit’, includes praying in tongues. We can pray with our understanding (minds) and with our spirit. Both types of praying are powerfully beautiful.
I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with my mind also. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also (1 Cor. 14:15).
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).
..But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Eph. 5:18-19).