There is much confusion and misuse today regarding the gift of tongues. Some elevate it above all else; others reject it altogether. However, as always, Scripture provides clarity when we approach it in the Spirit, not in the flesh. This teaching explores what it truly means to pray in tongues—its purpose, use, and how we are to honour it in line with Christ and the Spirit.

Tongues Are a Sign and a Gift—But Not the Centre #

“And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues…”
— Mark 16:17, AMP

Speaking in new tongues is a sign, not a badge of maturity. It is not the foundation of our faith, but evidence of the Spirit’s work. The Greek word for “tongues” is glōssa (γλῶσσα), meaning both the physical tongue and a language or dialect not naturally acquired.

When the Spirit came at Pentecost, the disciples did not produce unintelligible speech; instead, they spoke in real, known languages.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [different languages], as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].”
— Acts 2:4, AMP

This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy of God speaking to people through “foreign lips” (Isaiah 28:11). It was a reversal of Babel (Genesis 11)—not confusion, but clarity in the Spirit.

Tongues Are Not Primarily for Public Instruction #

“However, in the church I would rather speak five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue [which others cannot understand].”
— 1 Corinthians 14:19, AMP

Paul does not diminish tongues, but rightly puts them in context. In Greek, the word sunienai (συνιέναι) for “understand” means to comprehend together, suggesting shared meaning and corporate edification.

Tongues are useful personally, but not as the centre of corporate worship unless accompanied by interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:27–28). Without interpretation, a prolonged public use of tongues may confuse and mislead others.

Tongues Must Flow From the Heart, Not Mere Sound #

“This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.”
— Matthew 15:8, AMP

God is not moved by our volume or repetition, but by the spiritual substance of our communion with Him. Whether in known speech or tongues, prayer must arise from the inner man, not just from audible words.

Jesus warned against vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7). In the same way, tongues spoken without spiritual sensitivity can become mere noise, not Spirit-filled utterance.

The Hebrew word for heart, leb (לֵב), speaks of the inner being—the seat of understanding, will, and desire. God hears our leb, not just our lips.

Tongues Build the Inner Man—When Used in Private Devotion #

“The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…”
— 1 Corinthians 14:4, AMP

The word oikodomeō (οἰκοδομέω), translated “edifies,” means to build a house, to strengthen from within. Tongues, then, are like spiritual exercise—building the inner man, breaking through mental barriers, and quieting the carnal mind.

Like fasting is to faith, tongues are to prayer: not the end, but a discipline that sharpens spiritual perception. However, just as fasting done wrongly can make one proud, tongues misused can harden the heart and turn into an empty ritual.

At Pentecost, Tongues Were Understood #

“And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.”
— Acts 2:6, AMP

Contrary to some assumptions, Pentecostal tongues were not gibberish. People from many nations heard them speak of God’s mighty works in their own languages (Acts 2:11). It was one sound—but heard in many understandings.

This was not chaos but divine orchestration—a sign that God now speaks to all nations, not through Hebrew alone, but through the Spirit of Christ.

Use Tongues Wisely in Congregational Worship #

“If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at most three, and each one must take his turn, and let one interpret.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:27, AMP

Paul was pastoral and Spirit-led. He recognised the value of tongues, but called for wisdom in their use. In public settings, brief Spirit-led moments of praying in tongues can stir hearts and tune focus. But long, unfruitful stretches can deaden the Spirit and dull others.

God Hears the Spirit, Not Just the Sound #

“For we do not know what prayer to offer… but the Spirit Himself intercedes on our behalf with groanings too deep for words.”
— Romans 8:26, AMP

Whether in tongues or silence, what reaches God is the Spirit’s intercession. Words are not magical—they are vehicles. The goal is not eloquence, but communion. The true prayer of tongues is not a show, but Spirit-led communion from the inner man.

Summary #

Final Exhortation #

Tongues are a gracious gift, not a mark of superiority. They should stir humility, not pride. Let us not discard them, but neither idolise them. Let all be done in the Spirit of Christ, to edify, not confuse, and to glorify the Lamb, not ourselves.

In Christ,
Shaliach.