And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4 KJV)
Speaking in tongues is probably the most talked about issue in the body of Christ, yet most misunderstood due to different views for differing branches of Christianity. Whereas the subject of “tongues” is the most simple as we read the bible, someone once said, the bible is so simple that it takes theology to confuse you. How true.
The truth about speaking in tongues is that the devil wants to eradicate it through ignorance or make it a subject of minor importance. Tongues is a Greek word “glossalalia”, it means a given language or speech (Laila) where we get the word “glossology” the study and classification of language and dialects.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17 KJV)
When Jesus predicted the gift of tongues, His emphasis was clear about it being a “new” language, a never before spoken or taught to them language or speech. Luke uses another word “other” to describe this language which means it was different from normal language. How sad to see more and more people speak in tongues every day from a mere theory of it, but no one at the upper room spoke in theory. For instance none of them attended a believer’s class before they spoke as we sometimes do today. This is why many speak in tongues just to avoid thinking about what they are saying, others are opposed to praying without their own understanding.
Like every other kingdom, the citizens of heaven are given a language for fellowship and communication between God and His people (1 Corinthians 14:2), the divine wisdom reserved for the believer in the realm of glossalalia transcends the logical, psychological prowess or witty inventions of mankind. Speaking in tongues is more than a sound of noise spoken for the sake of it, it is the only language qualified for intelligible conversation with the Father, because it’s the only language that came from above, the former is a mere unintelligible gibberish that cannot deliver the supernatural; the “Pentecost” experience.
Tongues speaking conveys a divinely given message to the world, it ought to give them a sign of the miraculous inherent in Christianity. One of the greatest reality of this experience is the privilege of building oneself into a spiritual edifice (1 Corinthians 14:4-5). Oh how powerfully built we become after praying in tongues, the whole world and all its trouble at our feet because of the descending glory of God into our spirit, our spirit rooted in divine realities.
Tongues is given for super human conversation for super human experience, the depths and glory of God is made real in our spirit. Suddenly, we are aware of heaven’s deposit and with such we deal with issues around us, gliding in the higher life in us as we proclaim the counsel of God. It’s time for a new approach to “tongues”, be a daily speaker of tongues for at least thirty minutes.
Rhema word: When we pray in an unknown speech, then we have prayed more intelligibly.
Confession: I yield myself to the Holy Spirit to speak through me like never before in the place of prayer, I give myself to speaking in tongues more from today in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further reading: Isaiah 28:11