Speaking in Tongues – what does the Bible actually instruct us to do?

Intelligibility in worship

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.”

(1 Corinthians 14 - New International Version)

Having had some interesting experiences in a variety of churches and ‘religious gatherings,’ I have heard many differing views about ‘speaking in tongues’. It has always been a thorny subject that has caused me some concern.

As we can see from 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 we are encouraged in the use of speaking in tongues, but it is clear that if a person is praying or singing in tongues they are doing so to speak directly to God, not other people. It is also clear that speaking in tongues in not as important as some people make it out to be; prophecy is much more important.

The problem I often have with people speaking in tongues is that they do so in contradiction of the ways in which scripture instructs it to be done. I worry that there are too many people out there who have learned to ‘babble in gibberish’ and have fooled themselves, and others, into thinking it is from God and via the Holy Spirit. Babbling in gibberish is NOT something that God wants us to do. It is sometimes excused as speaking in an ‘angelic’ or ‘holy’ language, but that doesn't have any scriptural foundation.

In every case in the Bible where an angel has appeared there is no mention that they have spoken to their audience in an ‘angelic’ or ‘holy’ language (sometimes referred to as Glossolalia). They have spoken to the recipients in a language which they could easily understand - a real human language.

“Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

(1 Corinthians 14:6-12 - New International Version)

Speaking in tongues is designed, as stated here, to build up the church. Paul makes it clear that speaking in tongues should be used to reveal knowledge or give some form of instruction. Unfortunately, in many churches, this does not happen and congregations are encouraged to babble in what is mistaken for speaking in tongues. This babbling, which is rarely if ever translated, seems to be more for show than for edification. What does it actually achieve? Is it a form of spiritual one-upmanship? Keeping up with the spiritual Joneses? Where does it say in the Bible that any of the apostles spoke in tongues that were not real languages?

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”

(Acts 2:4-6 - New International Version - UK)

The purpose of speaking in tongues is for the recipient – as we can see here in Acts 2. The Spirit descended on the apostles, they did speak in other tongues, but each was a REAL language which was then able to be interpreted by someone listening. Don't be fooled by misquoting of scripture which only mentions the “other tongues” part as an explanation of this use of 'Glossolalia' without clarifying what "other tongues" actually means. It does not mean the babbling gibberish ‘language’ which is used incorrectly in many churches today; it means REAL HUMAN LANGUAGE other than that normally spoken by the person speaking in tongues. For example...I don't speak Chinese, but the Spirit could allow me to do so in order to pray for someone who spoke only Chinese. In comparison, what good would 'Glossolalia' do them?

“For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an enquirer, say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

(1 Corinthians 14:13-17 - New International Version)

It is clearly shown here that speaking in tongues in church should ALWAYS be interpreted, not just used as an alternative form of prayer or worship. Speaking in tongues is clearly shown to be something to edify the people hearing it, which cannot happen if no-one interprets it.

Some people will argue that 1 Corinthians 13:1 is 'proof' of an angelic language. Have a look here for an explanation and deconstruction of this argument.

Why doesn't interpretation happen very often? Why is prophecy considered to be better?

Speaking in tongues is sometimes used without interpretation as it can make the person or church using it seem ‘super-spiritual’. It is often used wrongly by people in positions of authority in churches. Why they do so – what is their motivation? Is it because when interpretation does not occur, these ‘prayers’ are never tested for accuracy as would happen with prayers or prophecy in an understandable or interpreted tongue? Paul makes this very clear when he adds:

“But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

(1 Corinthians 14:19 - New International Version)

So what therefore is the use of this unintelligible babbling? It’s of no use at all except for making the person or church doing it seem like they are ‘in touch with God’. Do they do so with deceit in mind? Hopefully not, especially as it is so clear in scripture what speaking in tongues should be used for and how it should be structured.

How SHOULD speaking in tongues be used in church?

Paul gives VERY clear instructions as to the use of tongues. They are unambiguous and if not followed, then what is happening is NOT of God, as the Bible does not allow for contradiction of itself. It is not a pick ‘n’ mix where you can discard the bits that do not suit your personal preferences.

“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two – or at the most three – should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”

One at a time – not babbling in a large group or congregation, either spoken or singing.

Two or three at most in a service – not tens, hundreds or thousands corporately ‘speaking in tongues’.

A REAL language - not the babbling 'Glossolalia'.

Someone MUST interpret – if this does not happen it is not scripturally sound.

If there is no interpreter, the person speaking in tongues should KEEP QUIET in church.

If these instructions are not followed then the modern church becomes like the church in Corinth. Paul wrote this epistle to instruct them how to worship correctly, as they had become corrupted. The Corinthians’ worship services demonstrated their problem with pride and self-centredness and Paul gave these instructions to them and through the Bible us, so we would not become proud or self-centred too.

“So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and enquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?”

(1 Corinthians 14:23 - New International Version)

Paul clearly states that when this corporate use of speaking in tongues occurs, even if it is all in intelligible ‘real’ languages, it will sound like the babblings of madmen. Should the church sound like this? Is it edifying? Does it instruct? No…and for those reasons it should not be done.

Speaking in tongues is definitely something that is a gift from God...but only if it is REAL and used in the right way.