The Gift of Tongues

.... In our previous posting we introduced the gift of tongues and it’s initial significance as we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. But what about the gift itself? What is it’s purpose and effect? And how can speaking in other tongues promote our relationship with the Lord?
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.... To place this gift in it’s proper context, we must first understand that each utterance, each time, proceeds from the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:11). Even if He allows us to flow in the gift very freely, virtually at will, it is not something He has actually relinquished to our control. So operating in the gift always depends on Him, and is primarily designed for communicating with Him:

.... "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."

(1 Corinthians 14:2)

.... In the passage above, we see that God Himself is the intended recipient of each utterance. It is designed to be heard, first of all, by Him, because it was never meant to operate independently of the relationship; but at the same time, God has designed the utterance to be overheard by others, and when this occurs it can benefit them as well:

.... ‘For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest," and, "This is the refreshing"; yet they would not hear.’

(Isaiah 28:11-12)

.... The gift of tongues was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah in the passage above, and in the same passage we see it’s broader purpose. It is meant as a rest and a refreshing, an edification and a method of renewing for those who believe, and also to open a testimony to those who do not believe.

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.... The first person to benefit from this perspective will be the speaker himself, who receives the utterance and expresses it. Even if he doesn’t understand the words, a mystery will be received that contains a revelation of God’s character, and He will fully connect with this in his spirit (Luke 6:45; 1 Corinthans 2:10; 14:4). The very fact that this communion takes place between the Holy Spirit and the person's own spirit will bless and edify him, and cause his heart to soar each time:

.... "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit . . ."

(Jude 1:20)

.... This connection is something unbelievers may perceive in us as well. Even if they don't understand the words either, they are perfectly capable of perceiving the ‘mood’ or attitude that shines through the utterance as it is seen in us (1 Corinthians 13:1). When our attitude is proper, they will realize that something spiritually beautiful is happening, and that a connection with God is being made – and this is even more so when the tongues are interpreted. We will describe the message itself in our next lesson, in which the interpretation of tongues will be addressed.

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Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 10