Speaking in Tongues: A Gift, Not a Requirement | Walking in the Spirit – Part Two

There are few spiritual topics that carry as much confusion—and as much quiet pressure—as speaking in tongues.

For some, it has been a sacred and personal prayer experience.
For others, it has been witnessed publicly in worship, often accompanied by interpretation.
And for many believers, it has been taught—sometimes unintentionally—as something necessary for deeper faith, clearer guidance, or spiritual maturity.

Scripture invites us to approach this topic not with fear or division, but with clarity, order, and peace.

When Did Tongues Begin?

The first appearance of tongues in Scripture occurs at Pentecost.

📖 “And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
— Acts 2:4 (NLT)

These were not mystical or unknown sounds. Scripture tells us plainly:

📖 “We hear them speaking in our own native languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
— Acts 2:11 (NLT)

Pentecost did not introduce a new spiritual language.
It revealed the Spirit’s power to cross nations, cultures, and tongues so the gospel could be understood.

Pentecost was about mission, not mystery.
About communication, not confusion.

In many ways, it stands as a reversal of Babel—where language once divided, the Spirit now united.

Are Tongues Always the Same?

Scripture shows that tongues appear in different contexts, and they are not all the same.

In Acts 2:

• tongues were real, human languages
  

• understood by listeners
  

• outward-facing and evangelistic
  

In 1 Corinthians 12–14:

• tongues appear within the gathered church
  

• sometimes accompanied by interpretation
  

• sometimes used privately in prayer
  

This matters, because Scripture never treats all tongues as identical.

📖 “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT)

Are Tongues Required?

Scripture is very clear here.

📖 “Do all have the gift of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”
— 1 Corinthians 12:30 (NLT)

The implied answer is no.

Tongues are listed among the gifts of the Spirit—not as evidence of salvation, not as proof of maturity, and not as a requirement for clarity.

Paul himself says:

📖 “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:18–19 (NLT)

This tells us something important:
The value of tongues is never meant to exceed understanding, love, or edification.

What About Prayer, Groaning, and the Spirit’s Help?

Scripture does acknowledge that prayer sometimes moves beyond words.

📖 “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”
— Romans 8:26 (NLT)

These groanings are not described as a language to be learned or spoken.
They describe intercession beyond human articulation—a Spirit-led movement when words fall short.

Modern psychology supports this understanding in a surprising way.

Research shows that when people engage in wordless prayer, sighing, or repetitive vocal prayer:

• language centers quiet
  

• emotional regulation increases
  

• stress responses decrease
  

• awareness and self-control remain intact
  

This aligns beautifully with Scripture’s boundaries.

📖 “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:32 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit does not override the believer’s will.
He abides, guides, and strengthens—never possesses or overtakes.

Discernment Matters

Scripture repeatedly reminds us to test, not assume.

📖 “Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NLT)

Some spiritual experiences are genuine gifts.
Some are learned behaviors.
Some are emotional responses.
Some are deeply personal expressions of prayer.

Wisdom does not rush to label everything as the same.

📖 “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)

If a teaching produces fear, comparison, pressure, or spiritual inadequacy—it is worth pausing.

The Holy Spirit brings:

• peace
  

• clarity
  

• assurance
  

• freedom
  

📖 “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)

A Gentle Reframing

It is entirely biblically sound to believe that:

• Pentecost empowered the Church to speak across nations
  

• The languages spoken were real and human
  

• The Spirit enabled mission—not confusion
  

• Later references to tongues must be understood in their own context
  

You are not missing anything.
You are not lacking faith.
You are not unqualified to hear God.

You are seeing more clearly—not less.

Looking Ahead — Part Three

In the final part of this devotional series, we will gently address a difficult but important question:

What happens when spiritual advice brings doubt instead of peace?

We’ll explore:

• how discernment protects faith
  

• why pressure is not a fruit of the Spirit
  

• how to recognize guidance that aligns with God’s character
  

📖 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

👉 Part Three is coming next week.
You won’t want to miss it.

🌿 Continue walking in clarity and peace at HisWordsMinistry.com

With love and faith,
Faitheful Pen
His Words Give Life