Difference between speaking in tongues and praying in tongues

Posted by Theosophical Ruminator under Theology, Tongues
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Have you ever had doubts about your own experience of speaking in tongues?Have you ever wondered if it was truly God, or just you making up sounds? What about others?Have you ever heard someone speaking in tongues, but doubted that it was the real deal? How do we tell the difference between fake and authentic tongues?

There are two ways we can test the validity of tongues.Both can be used to test the validity of our own personal tongues, while only one can be used to test the validity of others’ tongues.

Scripture teaches us that tongues are genuine languages.They are not meaningless sounds, or ecstatic gibberish. Languages employ a variety of sounds to compose a variety of words. If, when you speak in tongues, you find that you are repeating the same few sounds over and over and over again, it may indicate that you are not truly speaking in tongues. This same criterion can also be used to help us judge whether others’ use of tongues is legitimate or contrived.

Secondly, and more importantly, we learn from Scripture that it is the Spirit who enables us to speak in a new, and unlearned language (Acts 2:4).The words we speak have their origin with God, not man.We do not invent the language, and thus we do not invent the “sounds” that we speak.

In 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 Paul contrasted speaking in tongues with praying in his native tongue, saying the former prayer was with his spirit whereas the latter prayer was with his mind.He made the point that when his spirit prays, his mind is unproductive. This means our minds are not involved in the speaking process.Speaking in tongues is not something we have to think about.Contrast this to our native language. First we think about what we are going to say, and then we say it—in that order.The language of the Spirit, however, is not connected to the mind, but rather ensues from the spirit of man.That meanswe don’t think about what we are going to say in tongues and then say it, but rather we speak the words in tongues, and then upon hearing what we have spoken we think about the words or sounds we just heard.It is just the opposite of learned speech.

There have been many occasions in prayer in which I found myself thinking about things such as what I was going to do when I was finished praying, all the while speaking in tongues.Shame on me for not having my mind on prayer, but the fact that I could think on one thing while speaking another proves that the mind is not the source of tongues.If you find yourself having to think about what sounds you will speak next, that is a good indication you are not truly speaking in tongues. I hope such is not the case, but it is better to recognize this and seek the true experience than it is to persist in a false belief and experience, mistaking it for the true.

In this post, I am addressing one of the biggest points of confusion that I find when discussing the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with people.  It is the misunderstanding of the use of speaking in tongues.

There is an entire chapter devoted to this subject in the Bible, and it should not be confusing at all.  However, because of wrong teaching (or a lack of teaching) there seems to be a large number of Christians that really do not understand this very important subject.

I believe that once you see and understand it the first time you will say “…this is so simple, why did I not see this before?”

Let’s begin with a couple of definitions that will help make things clearer.

Tongues as a “Prayer Language”

(Note:  Although the term “prayer language” is not completely accurate, I am using it here because so many people are familiar with it.)

When a Christian receives the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, he (or she) receives the power and ability to speak in tongues (Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4) any time he or she wishes (1 Cor 14:14-15).  It is a new way for us to speak and to communicate with God (1 Cor 14:2) that goes beyond our natural intellect (1 Cor 14:14).  For this reason, many people also call this a “prayer language” even though it can be used for things other than just prayer.

The Bible tells us in several places that we should make use of this ability as often as possible (1 Cor 14:14-15, Eph 6:18,  Jude 1:20, etc).   It also tells us of many ways that it benefits the person that is doing it.  We are specifically told that no one will understand this language.  It is meant for communication between you and the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:2 – 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.

This is a faith activity between you and God.  If other don’t people understand what you are saying, it is not an issue because what you are saying is not intended for them.  When you are using your “prayer language,” no interpretation is required or expected.  If someone complains, just say “I wasn’t talking to you.”

In the Bible, we are told that sometimes in our midst there will be people that don’t understand, or that don’t believe.  It says that people like this may think we are “out of our minds” when we are doing this.  The implication is that it would usually be better to avoid doing this in front of them (1 Cor 14:23).

But, on the other hand, if you are around other Christians that understand and believe the Bible, then it is OK to do it in a group setting (Acts 19:6-7) – assuming that you are doing it for the right reasons.  Personally, I don’t do it in front of non-Christians, and I don’t go out of my way to do it in front of Christians that don’t understand it.  But a group of Christians that believe the Bible should be comfortable with this.  If not, then something is wrong somewhere.

Tongues as a “Spiritual Gift”

According to 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, there are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit that are called “manifestations of the Spirit.”  These are instances where the Holy Spirit makes Himself known to us in supernatural ways.  He gives you a temporary “burst of power” to do something that goes beyond your normal ability in order to accomplish something for Him.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

When one of these “gifts” (aka manifestations) is given to a person, and that person exercises that gift in faith, then other people receive a divine benefit.  The purpose of these gifts are for the believer to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bless others.

Included in these nine “manifestations of the Spirit” or “spiritual gifts” are three that are have been called the “speaking” or “vocal gifts.”  These are:

• Prophecy
• Diversities of Tongues
• Interpretation of Tongues

These three temporary abilities only come when the Holy Spirit gives them to someone to use them (1 Cor 12:11).   The purpose of these temporary abilities is to bless other people (1 Cor 12:7).

When the gift of prophecy is given, a person will generally speak a message from God under divine influence, and the message will be given in the language of the intended audience.

In general, when the gifts of “diversities of tongues” and “interpretation of tongues” are given, a person will speak a message from God under divine influence, but it will usually be a language unknown to the intended audience.  This is “diversities of tongues.”

Then that same person (or someone else present) will be given the meaning or “interpretation” of that message by the Holy Spirit.  That person will then speak out the interpretation in the language of the intended audience.  The end result is that the people get a message from God that they understand.

In both cases, a message from God is delivered through a person to another person or to a group of people.  The message will come from God, but it will be delivered by the person(s) that received the gift(s).  The result is that others are blessed by the Lord.  God speaks through someone in order to bless another person or a group of people.

Similarities between the two

In both the “prayer language” and the “spiritual gift,” the speaker will be speaking in a language that he/she does not understand.

Both the “prayer language” and the “spiritual gift ” will require the speaker to act in faith.

Differences between the two

In the “prayer language,” you are the one that usually initiates it.  In the “spiritual gift” it is the Holy Spirit that initiates it.

In the “prayer language” the speaker is the main beneficiary.  In the “spiritual gift, other people are the main beneficiaries.

In the “prayer language” you are talking to God.  In the “spiritual gift” God is talking to others through you.

In the “prayer language” you are encouraged to do it all the time.  In the “spiritual gift” you only do it when the Holy Spirit tells you to.

In the “prayer language” no interpretation is needed or expected because God is the intended audience and He understands it.  In the “spiritual gift,” the gift of interpretation of tongues will likely be given so that the people can understand the message and receive the benefit God intended for them.

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