Is Speaking in Tongues Biblical

Is the gift of tongues for the church today? Paul has a lot to say about it, but there’s one thing in particular that must be brought to the front of our minds. We can desire the gifts of the Spirit in an unholy way.

Tongues Can Become an Idol

Why would Paul have said this? He is speaking of the gifts of the Spirit, and suddenly he shifts to talking about dumb idols. It’s easy to think he’s referring to the false gods of the time—but he says “these,” referencing the gifts of the Spirit! Is Paul calling the gifts of the Spirit idols?

Paul is actually comparing the gifts of the Spirit to idols! He knew people would make idols out of these gifts as they do other things. It’s possible for us to trust in the gifts of the Spirit above the Scriptures—or even more than God Himself. When that happens, the gifts become our idols.

As Simon shows us, the gifts of the Spirit can be desired in an unholy way. People can desire the gifts more than God Himself. While Simon desired the gifts, his heart wasn’t right with God—yet he sought the gifts rather than God.

Samson is another example of someone who considered the gifts of God to be separate from God Himself.

When we make the gifts more important than the Spirit of God, we begin to think they belong to us. In our minds, we become the source and controller of the gift—not God.

This may sound absurd to you, but I assure you there are many people who have made the gift of tongues into an idol. Some have gone so far as to say you are not even saved unless you speak in tongues. Saying that takes Jesus away from being all-sufficient and sets this gift up as being equal to Him.

The Holy Spirit Will Not Contradict the Bible

Idols have a nasty habit of leading you away from God. One of the first things people do when they are led astray is remove the authority of the Scriptures from their lives. It is then replaced by another spirit claiming that we should trust it instead.

I have heard people speaking in “tongues” and interpreting those “tongues” as saying we should trust the Spirit over the Scriptures because the Scriptures are subject to Him. Suddenly, the authority of Scripture is challenged by the spirit of the idol (not the Holy Spirit).

Paul is not just talking about calling Jesus Lord or not. He is telling us that the Holy Ghost will not speak against the Word of God. He will not contradict or disobey the Scriptures. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Scriptures were His own creation. He will not contradict Himself.

So any spirit giving someone a “gift” that contradicts or diminishes the authority of the Scriptures is not the Holy Spirit.

In fact, there are other religions that also use “the gift of tongues.” Demons can also cause people to speak in unknown languages. So the Scriptures become even more important than the gifts. They are more important than any feeling you may have. They must be our authority.

The Purpose of the Gift of Tongues

When we let the gift of tongues become an idol, we no longer use it for the purpose it was intended for. That purpose is evangelism.

The gift of tongues is a sign for unbelievers, not for believers. So, as I have stated before, they are not evidence to us of the Holy Ghost—they are evidence to unbelievers of the Holy Ghost.

The entire purpose of this gift is evangelism. In Acts, each time they spoke in tongues there were unbelievers present who spoke the languages being used. Each time we see this gift used, it produced actual words that the hearers understood. Tongues were always understood as the languages of onlookers.

When interpretation was needed, it was not because no one knew what was being said—it was because, while unbelievers understood the words, it had to be relayed to the believers present who did not. At no time do we see this gift used without it being a sign to unbelievers.

Self-Edification

You may be asking yourself why 1 Corinthians 14 speaks of tongues as a personal prayer language if its only purpose is a sign to unbelievers. The answer is that it doesn’t actually say that!

Self-edification in this case is not a good thing. It is not the proper use of tongues according to 1 Corinthians 14:21–22.

There are many people who believe they are more spiritual or powerful because they can “speak in tongues.” So they “pray in tongues” and “edify” themselves. It gives them strong emotions and makes them feel more spiritual.

But this type of “prayer language” is not of the Holy Ghost. It does not follow the Scriptures because it was never intended for self-edification.

Paul tells us that even praying in tongues should be accompanied by someone who understands what is said. Otherwise, it is unfruitful. Yes, praying in an unknown tongue is unfruitful. Who wants an unfruitful prayer life?

Of course, some point to the following verse:

Since Paul says, “let him speak to himself, and to God,” it is assumed he is encouraging the use of tongues during personal prayer. But there are some things you need to be aware of.

First, the instruction is to remain silent in the church. Praying out loud in church when not part of a corporate prayer is not encouraged. There are many reasons for this, and sadly, most churches today have fallen away from orderly service.

For example, prayer is a time spent between you and God. If you are in church trying to commune with Him, it can be difficult if the person next to you is loudly praying their personal prayers. This is a distraction in the church.

But Paul is also making a point about the use of tongues specifically. He is telling people to “keep it to themselves.” This isn’t an encouragement to pray in tongues—it’s a command to be silent. He is talking about self-restraint, not having a time of private devotion.

The gift of tongues, as well as other gifts, is given to “profit withal.” That word withal means “with the rest; together with; likewise; at the same time.” In other words, the gift of tongues is given to benefit others, not yourself.

Still, there is one more verse we need to address on this subject:

Paul actually tells us not to forbid speaking in tongues soon after telling people to be silent. This may seem like a contradiction, but it is not.Paul is telling us the gift of tongues should be used for the right reasons, and not for the wrong reasons. When there are unbelievers around, this gift can be used to speak in their language. It becomes a tool for evangelism that should not be forbidden.

But when it serves no purpose, it is not the gift of the Holy Spirit. Instead, it is the effort of an individual to pray more powerfully or to receive greater feelings. It is self-edification, which is not encouraged by Paul here.

Throughout the chapter, Paul contrasts the proper use of this gift with the improper use of it. He tells us prophecy is greater. He tells us edification of the church is better. He tells us to remain silent when no one else will understand. He even tells us our own prayers are unfruitful if we pray without understanding.

After all of this, he gives us one more contrast:

Paul is still comparing the proper and improper use of the gifts. Those using them properly will acknowledge that these things are the commandments of God. But those using them improperly are ignorant, and they will remain that way.

This is also why he said, “let him speak to himself, and to God,” earlier. It wasn’t an encouragement—it was allowing the person to remain ignorant.

Is Speaking in Tongues Still for Today

After seeing the proper use of tongues, we have to ask ourselves: is this gift still for us today? The answer is certainly yes!

Much of what we see in churches today is not the Holy Ghost. It is the improper use and misunderstanding of the gift of tongues. But there remains a proper use for it that is still relevant in our day.

This gift has not been done away with, though some point to the following verse to say it has:

The assumption is that the Bible is “that which is perfect.” Therefore, it is also assumed that the gifts have been done away with since we now have it. But there are several reasons the Bible is not what is meant by “that which is perfect.”

If it were, we would no longer have questions about prophecy or incomplete understanding of the Scriptures. Verse 9 tells us our questions and misunderstandings would be done away with when that which is perfect comes. Yet even though we have the Bible, we still have questions and do not know everything.

In fact, the Bible makes sure that we do not have complete knowledge. Jesus never tells us the exact date and time of His return. In Revelation, the seven thunders speak, and God tells John not to write what they say. There are many examples showing that our understanding is not yet complete, even with the Bible.

So whatever is meant by “that which is perfect” has not yet come. The question then becomes: what is “that which is perfect”?

Paul goes on to explain what “that which is perfect” is. He says that when it comes, he shall “know even as also I am known.” This is a huge clue!

What will Paul know, and who knows Paul? The answer is obviously Jesus. Paul says that when he see’s Jesus face to face and knows Jesus as perfectly and intimately as Jesus knows him, it is then that these partial things will be done away with.

But when will that happen? Is it when the Bible is finished being written?

It is only when Jesus appears that Paul will know Him as He is, as well as Jesus knows Paul. So no, it isn’t the Bible Paul is talking about—it is Jesus Himself. Until that time, all of the gifts of the Spirit have a place and time to be used.

The gift of tongues is still useful, but it must be used properly. It must not become an idol.

The subject of tongues has now been well covered. We know the more excellent way is to operate in the fruits of the Spirit, which we covered in a previous study. But tongues is only one of many gifts of the Spirit. As we continue our studies, we will learn more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Continue To Unit 4:12 – Gifts of the Holy Spirit OR

Return To Christianity 101 Unit 4 – The Baptism of the Holy Spirit