Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Speaking in tongues 

Within the Christian faith there are various groupings of churches, especially around the subject of Pentecost when the original believers experienced a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues so foreigners could understand them (Acts 2:1-12). Hillsong and other “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” churches believe that the experience of speaking in tongues is still available to all believers today (Mark 16:17).

What are tongues? From 1 Cor.13:1we gather they can be both earthly and heavenly languages. From 1 Cor.12:28-30 we understand that not everyone will have the gift of multiple languages and from 1 Cor.14:2 that only God can understand heavenly languages. The only time a Holy Spirit given language should be spoken audibly in church is when it can be interpreted.  Why would God do that anyway? Perhaps for emphasis and to get people’s attention as in Dan.5 where only Daniel could supernaturally interpret the heavenly language written on the wall.

Paul encourages everyone to speak to God in their own unknown tongue or language which will “edify” or build them up spiritually. This is because they are speaking to God directly from their own spirit and they are not limited by the confines of human thought and language (Jude1:20).

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to speak in tongues that will bless the Lord and build me up spiritually