Understanding Tongues in the Bible

By Stephanie A. Mayberry

There is a lot of confusion out there regarding speaking in other tongues. Some people believe tongues is necessary for salvation, some believe that tongues is a gift that only certain people receive, some believe that tongues is a prayer language, and some believe tongues is demonic.

The truth is, the infilling of the Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation, and speaking in tongues is the evidence of that.

BUT

It can ALSO be one of the gifts of the spirit as well as a prayer language.

AND

You have to be careful who you listen to because there are demonic tongues too.

So, yeah, lots of confusion there.

Let’s see if we can’t break some of it down to provide a better understanding of the types of tongues and how to spot the real deal from the fake stuff.

Tongues as Evidence of the Infilling of the Holy Spirit

This is where many people get it backwards, especially those who have never spoken in tongues. They try to assert that it is not necessary to speak in tongues to be saved. What they do not understand is that talking in tongues will not save you.

Let me say that again.

Talking in tongues will not save you.

Talking in tongues is evidence of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and THAT is necessary for salvation. Acts 2:38 says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Let’s break this down.

The Holy Spirit had already fallen on the disciples and they had all spoken in tongues (Acts 2:4), but in verse 38 the people who put Jesus to death realized what they had done. They were convicted, grieved. They asked what they should do. Peter gave them the answer.

• Repent: Confess your sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and then change – sin no more.
• Baptism: Be baptized by immersion in water by the name of Yeshua (Jesus) for the remission of your sins.
• Holy Spirit: Seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This means to be in obedience and to be faithful to God. You will know that you are filled with the Holy Spirit because you will speak in other tongues as the spirit gives utterance.

If you have not spoken in other tongues, then you have not been filled with the Holy Spirit (as demonstrated in scripture).

How do we know that tongues follows the infilling of the Holy Spirit? Because when we look at how people were baptized in scripture after the Holy Spirit was given at Shavuot (Pentecost), that is the pattern we see. They were baptized in the name of Yeshua and they spoke in other tongues when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

We can also look at the perfect example in Matthew 3:13-17 when John baptized Yeshua. It says that the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and lit on Him. That was a SIGN that the Holy Spirit was given.

Prior to the resurrection, there were physical things that became spiritual after the resurrection. Circumcision is one. But Yeshua’s baptism is a template, a perfect example. You go down in baptism and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, but there is ALWAYS a supernatural sign. Prior to the resurrection, in Yeshua’s example, we see it was like a dove.

After the resurrection, in all the scripture that talks about people getting baptized and getting the Holy Spirit, it was tongues that was the sign.

There are several instances where the salvation formula is spelled out, including water baptism in the name of Yeshua and the infilling of the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues. In the mouth of two or three witnesses, let Yehovah’s word is established (2 Corinthians 13:1-4).

It is also worth noting that Acts 5:32 tells us that Yehovah gives His spirit to those who obey Him. It’s more than that though, it’s complete submission to Him. It’s an attitude of meekness, saying, “My God I put myself in Your hands. Have Your way.”

This type of tongues does not require any interpretation. It is to be evidence for the person who received the Holy Spirit and those around them. It is the way to know for sure that the person is filled.

Study

Mark 16:15-18
Acts 2:4
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 19:6

Tongues as a Gift of the Spirit

Tongues as one of the spiritual gifts is described in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. This is the type of tongues that people misunderstand the most. They erroneously believe that ALL tongues are this type – and it is most definitely NOT.

Unlike the other types of tongues discussed in scripture, you won’t see this gift actually demonstrated. That is important to note because so many people confuse the various types, thinking they are just one. But that is not the case.

What you will see is that the gift of tongues is explained by Paul but you never see an actual demonstration in scripture.

You do, however, see multiple accounts of people speaking in tongues when they are filled with the Holy Spirit. This is an important distinction that tells us the gift is separate from the other types of tongues.

When you study the scripture you will see that this type of tongues involves two people. One person speaks in tongues and another interprets. Sometimes there are more with one person gives the interpretation and another picks it up after.

But it is always done in order. If it is truly of Yehovah, then there will be no confusion. No one will be trying to talk over another. And the interpretation will be biblical, backed up completely by scripture.

This type of tongues is indeed a gift and not everyone has it. Not everyone has that gift of tongues and not everyone has that gift of tongues that is interpretation. They go hand in hand.

This does not mean that everytime a person speaks in tongues in public that it has to be interpreted. Praying in tongues is usually not meant to be interpreted. That is a prayer language for the person. We’ll get to that in a minute.

When the gift of tongues is in operation, a hush will fall over the group. The atmosphere has a different texture, one of reverence and awe. Then one person will begin speaking in tongues. When they are finished, the people wait. It is quiet. Then the person who has the interpretation will speak (provided they are obedient to the prompting of the Spirit). It is unmistakable and feels nothing like praying in tongues.

Study

1 Corinthians 12:8-11
1 Corinthians 14:1-28

Tongues as a Prayer Language

Tongues can also be a prayer language. This is available to all believers who are submitted to Yehovah. In fact, once you receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in other tongues, you should pray in tongues each day.

This accomplishes several things. It encourages you to maintain that flow of the Spirit. It keeps you connected so that you can “pray without ceasing,” and it edifies you, builds you up, and deepens your walk with Yehovah.

Romans 8:26 describes praying in the Spirit as the Spirit “making intercession” for you in “groaning that cannot be uttered.” When you don’t know what to pray or how to pray, when you are so overwhelmed with life, when you don’t know the right direction in a situation, praying in the Spirit is the answer.

When you are interceding, especially when you have been called to interccession, you will need to be able to pray in tongues because Yehovah will call you to pray for people or situations and you will have no idea who or what it is. You just trust in the Spirit of Yehovah to guide your prayer and let it flow.

Study

Mark 16:15-18
1 Corinthians 14:1-40
Romans 8:26-27
Jude 20

The Unofficial “Fourth” Type of Tongues

Within the scriptural accounts of people who spoke in tongues, there is an unofficial fourth type that isn’t really brought out, but more alluded to.

In Acts 10:44-46 the people of the House of Cornelius received the Holy Ghost and they all spoke in tongues and magnified God.

In Acts 19:6 Paul encounters the disciples on the road to Ephesus. When they receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, scripture tells us that they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

In Romans 8:26-27 tongues is described as a prayer language. We don’t know how to pray so the Spirit prays for us according to the will of God.

In 1 Corinthians 14:2 Paul says that when we speak in tongues we speak to God.

This “type” of tongues tends to overlap or accompany the other types, yet you cannot ignore or deny it. It should be brought out as a type of its own simply because it solidifies the necessity of praying in tongues and speaking in tongues at the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

The words of our flesh are focused on the flesh (1 Corinthians 14:14, Matthew 26:41, and Romans 8:26) but when the Spirit prays for us we are in communion with God.

While not really a type of tongues itself, this type or purpose should not be overlooked.

Study

Acts 10:44-46
Acts 19:6
Romans 8:26-27
1 Corinthians 14:2

Spotting “Fake” Tongues

What usually happens is it is an offense to the spirit of the believer. But that is not the only way. You need to look at all the clues and tells – and scripture gives us some great tools.

Matthew 7:15-20 tells us that we will recognize false prophets, wolves in sheep’s clothing, by the fruit that they bear. So, when you encounter a teacher or prophet, someone who says they are spirit-filled, you need to examine the fruit that they bear. It should line up with scripture.

What are the fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5 discusses those things of the Spirit in depth. Verses 22 and 23 give us a list.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Verses 19 through 21 tell us how to identify the works (fruit) of the flesh.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

Many of these traits are very subtle. But remember, the serpent was the most subtle beast in the field (Genesis 3:1). You have to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), study to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15), and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Make sure that they can support everything in scripture and study it out for yourself.

Don’t just take their word for it, search the scripture for yourself. Study it out.

So, even if they are speaking in other tongues, if the fruit is not holy, then be very careful.

Study

Matthew 7:15-20
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Galatians 5

Speaking in Tongues is Biblical

Speaking in tongues is biblical – and it is for everyone who is obedient and faithful to Yehovah. Praying in tongues is biblical. Having a good understanding of the types of tongues that are available to you as a believer will help you have a deeper, more meaningful walk with Yehovah.

If you do not have the Holy Ghost yet (have not spoken in other tongues), then seek after it. Pray for Yehovah to fill you with His Spirit. If you spoke in tongues once but never did again, there are several reasons this could be happening. You may be in rebellion or trying to control the flow. It could be due to a lack of an effective prayer life or your relationship with Yeshua isn’t where it needs to be.

Get in the word and study daily. Pray daily. Work on your relationship with Your Creator. Cultivate it, nurture it, build it just as you would with the people in your life. Submit yourself to Him. Present yourself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Yehovah (Romans 12:1). That is what He wants from you.

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