The Blog

Gift of speaking in tongues is one of the most controversial topics in the church over its purpose or proper methodology.

Now a word about the gift of speaking in unknown tongues—since this is often associated with the fullness of the Spirit.

Now, we need to make this point very clear. God does not give this gift to everyone—because he sees that everyone does not need it. 1 Corinthians 12:30 explicitly states that “all do not speak in tongues”. So leave it to God to decide whether He wants you to have it or not.

We must all seek God first of all to give us the power of the Spirit to control our tongues in normal speech from sins like anger, lying, etc. James 3:2 says that one who does not sin in his speech is a perfect man.

But speaking in unknown tongues, however, has made no individual perfect.

What is the purpose of speaking in tongues? When we praise God, we find that the English language is limited. Our heart is full but what is in our heart has through to pass through the narrow pipe of the English language in our mind before it comes out of our mouth. But if the mind is bypassed, then the abundance in our heart can go straight from our heart to our mouth. We can then express whatever is filling our heart (abundance of gratitude or pressure caused by sorrow) to God, in syllables that we do not understand, but that God understands very well, for he listens to the heart.

Personal Reflection:
How can speaking in tongues strengthen us spiritually?