Speaking in tongues in the Bible can be a confusing topic, and the source of severe division among Christians. Should Christians pray for the gift of tongues?
Some Christians believe every follower of Christ should speak in tongues. Others believe the gift of tongues disappeared after the first century. Here are five things to consider regarding speaking in tongues in the Bible:
God has given you EVERYTHING you need for a godly, victorious life
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life…
There is nowhere in the Bible that even suggests that if you speak in tongues, you’ll have more power or anointing than someone else. Trust me, I’ve looked! The moment you got saved, God gave you everything you need to fulfill His purpose in this life. Don’t let anyone persuade you that you are a second-class Christian if you don’t speak in tongues.
The Bible does NOT teach that every Christian can or will speak in tongues
A lot of people get this wrong, based on a couple of verses:
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
This is an example of the importance of CONTEXT. If you pull it out of context and apply it to 100% of all Christians, you can’t just pick out tongues. They’d also be able to pick up snakes and drink deadly poison—which we know from history that every believer can’t do!
More relevant to this question is what Paul has to say about gifts:
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
The obvious answer to these rhetorical questions is NO! Not everyone has all these gifts, so not every Christian can speak in tongues.
If you pray to speak in tongues, also pray to interpret
For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
If you speak in tongues in church, and no one is there to interpret, how does that do any good to the body of Christ? We’re quick to ask to speak in tongues, but very few worry about interpreting. That’s because speaking in tongues is a “glamor gift” that makes someone look more spiritual and makes Christians feel puffed up.
Be eager to pursue gifts that edify the body of Christ
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Prophecy means to “speak forth the word of God.” If you’re going to covet a gift, prophecy (speaking the word of God to people) is possibly the best to ask for, rather than tongues, which is only useful with interpretation. There are many other gifts that are less glamorous that we should be asking for that can build up the body of Christ.
Focus more on the gifts God HAS given you rather than the ones He hasn’t
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
You have a spiritual gift! If you don’t know what it is, take an assessment or get with someone in your church to figure it out. You don’t want to spend all this time praying for some other gift rather than spending time cultivating and using the gift that God decided to give you!
Conclusion on speaking in tongues in the Bible
You can pray for this gift if you want, but God isn’t under any obligation to give it to you. Better to use what you have rather than coveting something you don’t have!