Tag Archives: tongues

Tongues

Tongues for Personal Edification 

Leave a comment

The Believer’s Prayer Language

Unlocking the Mystery: The Four Kinds of Tongues in the Bible – Part 2

The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit gives believers a powerful, intimate gift known as the prayer language of tongues. Unlike the tongues at Pentecost meant for public witness, this kind of tongue is personal — a way for the believer to speak directly to God beyond the limits of human words.

“For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2, NASB)

The prayer language of tongues is deeply personal, strengthening the believer’s inner life and drawing them into closer fellowship with God. It bypasses human intellect and touches the depths of the spirit, allowing communion that words alone cannot express.

What Is the Prayer Language of Tongues?

The Apostle Paul makes a vital distinction between public tongues and private tongues. Public tongues require interpretation for the edification of the Church. Private tongues — the prayer language — are directed to God and serve to edify the individual.

“One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4, NASB)

This kind of praying is not merely speaking into the air. It is the spirit praying. The mind may not comprehend, but the spirit is fully engaged with God.

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.” (1 Corinthians 14:14, NASB)

Why the Prayer Language Matters

The prayer language is a gift of empowerment, renewal, and refreshing.

Paul says:

“I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;” (1 Corinthians 14:18, NASB)

If Paul, with all his revelation and experience, valued praying in tongues highly, so should we.

The prayer language:

  • Strengthens the believer’s spirit.
  • Builds endurance in prayer when words fail.
  • Deepens intimacy with God.
  • Bypasses fleshly limitations and distractions.

When words fail, the spirit continues to commune with God. This is prayer beyond human understanding — a direct line of communication fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Renewed Strength through Prayer Language

A woman facing a serious health crisis found herself unable to pray in her native language due to exhaustion and fear. Leaning into her prayer language, she would spend hours simply allowing her spirit to pray in tongues. She later testified that during those times, she felt the presence of the Holy Spirit wrap around her like a blanket, giving her peace and even physical strength that doctors could not explain. Though her circumstances did not immediately change, her heart did — filled with boldness and calm trust in God.

Deep Calls to Deep

Imagine standing at the edge of a vast ocean. You can only describe the surface, but there’s a depth underneath that words cannot capture. So it is when we pray in the spirit: “Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls…” (Psalm 42:7, NASB). Our spirits connect with God’s Spirit beyond what human language can reach.

A breathtaking sunset blankets the city in color, reminding us that even the busiest days end with God’s masterpiece.

Self-Examination Questions

  • Am I willing to trust the Holy Spirit beyond my understanding?
  • Have I asked God to fill me with His Spirit and release the prayer language in my life?
  • Am I cultivating personal time in prayer that allows my spirit to commune with God unhindered?

Praying in the Spirit Daily

The prayer language is a beautiful, Spirit-given gift, not reserved for the “super spiritual,” but available to every believer who seeks the fullness of the Spirit. It strengthens, edifies, and draws us nearer to the heart of God.

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 1:20, NASB)

Do not leave this gift unopened. Seek, ask, and embrace the prayer language of tongues — the Holy Spirit will meet you there.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, we thank You for the precious gift of the prayer language. We ask that You would stir in us a deeper hunger for intimacy with God. Teach us to yield to Your Spirit in prayer, to move beyond the limits of our minds and into the depths of Your presence. Release the prayer language in our lives that we may grow in strength, boldness, and love. In Yeshua’s name we pray, amen.

⸻

See Also

Tongues

Tongues as a Sign to Unbelievers 

Leave a comment

The Languages of Pentecost

Unlocking the Mystery: The Four Kinds of Tongues in the Bible – Part 1

The day of Pentecost marked a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and with it came a miracle that left Jerusalem in awe. Believers spoke in languages they had never learned, and every foreigner present heard the Gospel in their own tongue. This first kind of tongues, tongues as a sign to unbelievers, reveals the supernatural reach of God’s power.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and they were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.” (Acts 2:4–6, NASB)

What Are Tongues as a Sign to Unbelievers?

At Pentecost, tongues served a clear purpose: to show unbelievers the reality and power of the living God. The disciples spoke real, known human languages they had never studied. As the crowd gathered, each person heard the message in their own native tongue. Nations and languages that had been scattered were suddenly united in one message: the mighty deeds of God.

This was a miracle not of chaos but of clarity. It was a moment when the power of the Holy Spirit overruled human limitations, reaching hearts across cultural barriers.

Why Tongues as a Sign Matter

Paul later affirms this type of tongues:

“So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 14:22, NASB)

Tongues as a sign speak directly to unbelievers in their heart language without the need for an interpreter. It’s God Himself initiating the conversation, showing that no human culture or barrier can stop the spread of the Gospel.

Speaking in Tongues as a Sign to Unbelievers

In a contemporary setting, a remarkable incident occurred during a prayer meeting. A participant, unfamiliar with the Hebrew language, felt led by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues. As he did so, a newcomer to the group, who was fluent in Hebrew, was astonished. He asked, “Do you speak Hebrew?” The speaker replied, “No, not at all.” The newcomer explained that he had clearly understood the message in Hebrew, which deeply moved him and affirmed the presence of God’s power in the gathering. (kingdomanointing.com)

This modern testimony echoes the events of Pentecost, demonstrating that the Holy Spirit continues to use the gift of tongues to reach unbelievers, transcending language barriers and affirming the Gospel’s truth.

The Shofar Blast to Gather Nations

In ancient Israel, the shofar’s blast called the people together. At Pentecost, the “blast” of tongues gathered the nations. It was the divine announcement: the King reigns, and His salvation is for all peoples. Just as the shofar pierced the air and demanded attention, the sound of Spirit-inspired tongues drew the nations to the message of the Messiah.

Self-Examination Questions

  • Am I open to the Holy Spirit using me beyond my natural abilities?
  • Do I believe God still works miracles like He did at Pentecost?
  • Have I prayed for boldness to share the Gospel with those beyond my language or culture?

The Gospel in Every Tongue

The first kind of tongues reminds us that God’s mission is global. He desires that every tribe and language hear of His mighty deeds. Tongues as a sign to unbelievers reveal that He is not silent. He is calling the nations to Himself with power and clarity.

“And it will be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21, NASB)

Prayer

Lord Yeshua, thank You for pouring out the Holy Spirit with power at Pentecost. Fill us again, that we may boldly proclaim Your mighty deeds. Break through every language barrier and cultural wall by Your Spirit. Make us vessels for Your glory. In Your Name we pray, amen.

⸻

See Also