“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.“
(Acts 2:4 ESV)
“These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;…”
(Mark 16:17 ESV)
“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”
(1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV)
I was asked that question yesterday. I know what it means to speak in tongues but found it hard to explain it. So, I did some research.
The idea of speaking in tongues is mentioned in the Bible in 1 Corinthians:12 as a spiritual gift that a baptized person who has accepted Christ could receive from God and the Holy Spirit. This gift allows a person to speak a foreign language they otherwise have no knowledge of.
Enough? No? Ok. I speak in tongues. I don’t always get the interpretation. But I feel so much better after praying in tongues. It seems like problems go away, at least for a little while. The devil takes a hike while I am praying in tongues.
Why don’t some believers pray in tongues? Sometimes people have personal reasons or they haven’t been taught. Christians don’t realize the value of speaking in tongues. If they did, they would want to do it. I remember the day I started praying in tongues. At first, it was just a few words. But as I kept at it, more and more words came.
Praying in tongues can help strengthen faith, build reliance on God, and help people learn to trust God more fully.
Jude 1:20–21 says that praying in tongues can help people build up their faith and stay in God’s love. When praying in tongues, some say that people are reminded that God is working in, for, and through them.
I can’t imagine someone not wanting to pray in tongues. When I don’t know how to pray for someone, I pray in tongues.
Have a great day, everyone.
Kathy Keller
Writer and Prayer warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
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