Untangling the Gift of Tongues: Charismatic Practice Vs. Bible

Speaking in tongues is not only the most desired but also arguably the most misunderstood and abused spiritual gift in the church today. The Charismatic and Pentecostal world in particular, often places this gift at the center of Christian experience, treating it not only as a sign of spiritual maturity but sometimes even as the definitive proof of having the Holy Spirit. 

I have received several requests to write something addressing this gift, but truth be told, it’s something I’ve wanted to write about since I started this blog a little over two years ago. I suppose now is the time.

But before diving into what the Bible says about this spiritual gift, I want to offer a caveat. This post is not about whether spiritual gifts continue today (continuationism) or whether they have ceased (cessationism). Neither will it focus on the debate around whether tongues are actual human languages or unintelligible utterances—though I lean toward the former. Regardless of where you land on that theological spectrum, this article aims to simply examine what Scripture says about the gift of tongues and how it is to be rightly exercised.

My hope is that this post will bring clarity and offer biblical correction where needed. Especially, in light of the confusion and excesses that have come to characterize much of the Charismatic and Pentecostal world. 

What Tongues Is Not

To understand the gift of speaking in tongues, we need not look further than Paul’s extensive teaching in 1 Corinthians 14.

In verse 2, Paul writes:

“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 14:2

This verse alone clears up a great deal of confusion found in many Charismatic and Pentecostal circles where preachers use tongues to deliver prophetic messages to congregants. However, tongues, according to Scripture, is a Spirit-enabled language of prayer or praise directed to God. Not a message from God to people.

Paul continues in verse 4:

“Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” — 1 Corinthians 14:4

Again, the purpose is clear: Speaking in tongues builds up the individual believer. It is primarily intended for personal edification, unless, as Paul goes on to say, there is an interpretation, as we are going to see later.

A Personal Story

I remember an experience from my time in the hyper-charismatic movement where the prophet and his wife who led the church called me to the front during a church service. I had been going through a difficult season, struggling to find a job, and feeling quite desperate.

They laid hands on me, and the husband began speaking in tongues, while the wife, “interpreted” what he was saying. What followed was a detailed “revelation” about why I was struggling to find a job and declarations that my difficult season was over “in Jesus’ name.” 

At the time, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. If anything, I was moved that God had decided to remember me. But looking back, I realize this was a misrepresentation of how the gift of tongues should operate. What happened that day wasn’t an interpretation of prayer or thanksgiving, as Scripture describes, but a so-called prophetic word cloaked in the language of tongues.

Why do I say this? Because this is what Paul says about tongues when offering a biblical correction on how it should be used:

“Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?” — 1 Corinthians 14:16

From this, we can safely deduce that tongues are meant to help us praise and give thanks to God. They are not a direct revelation about someone’s job, situation, or future. This misuse turns something meant to glorify God into a tool for spiritual showmanship or, worse, manipulation.

Sadly, in many charismatic churches, this biblical understanding is grossly missing. Thus, you’ll hear things like:

• “Turn to your neighbor and begin to prophesy over them in tongues!”
• “Let’s all pray in tongues together and declare breakthrough!”
• “I feel the Spirit saying something right now—shatarabakata—there’s someone here who’s about to receive a miracle!”

But as we have seen such practices veer significatly from what the gift of Speaking in tongues looks like, biblically.

Speaking in tongues was never meant to be a spectacle or a way to give others a word from God. It’s meant to be private —between the believer and God.

Should Every Christian Speak in Tongues?

Many Charismatic and Pentecostal churches today have elevated the gift of tongues to such a high pedestal that it’s either openly taught or strongly implied that every Christian should speak in tongues.

It’s seen not only as the ultimate evidence of being Spirit-filled but also as a kind of special gateway into deeper intimacy with God, supernatural breakthroughs, and miraculous encounters.

You’ll often hear phrases like:
“Praying in tongues gives you access into the spiritual realm.”
“That’s how you tap into the power of the Holy Ghost to walk in signs, wonders and miracles.”
or
“This is the language of angels; the devil cannot understand it.”

These beliefs, while widely accepted in hypercharismatic settings, are nowhere taught in Scripture. The result? An enormous amount of pressure is placed on believers to “speak in tongues” in order to feel like they truly belong or are on the “next level” spiritually.

It creates an artificial hierarchy in the Body of Christ, where those who speak in tongues are seen as spiritually elite, and those who don’t are viewed as second-class Christians. Lacking in power, intimacy, or even salvation.

I remember sitting in services where this idea was constantly reinforced. And I wasn’t immune to this messaging. For a while, I truly believed that without this “prayer language,” I was missing out on a deeper level of God’s presence.

I’ve seen countless believers flock to the altar, hands lifted, eyes shut tight, tears streaming, desperate to receive what they were told was the sign of closeness with God. And every Sunday, pastors and prophets laid hands on them, coaching and coaxing them into uttering unintelligible sounds, while assuring them that this was it. It was the day that they would actually “receive it.”

To Each One As He Wills…

But in 1 Corinthians 12:7–11, Paul makes it unmistakably clear that spiritual gifts, including tongues, are not given based on desperation or imparted through a “man of God” with a special “anointing”. Instead, they are distributed by the Spirit, as He wills:

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” — 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11

As such, not everyone will receive the same gift. And Paul reinforces this truth with a series of rhetorical questions in verses 27–30:

“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?”

The obvious answer to each of these questions is “No.” Not all are given the same spiritual gift. The Holy Spirit is the one who determines who receives what.

At this point, I think it’s important for me to say that tongues are not the sign of salvation. It is not the key to miracles. And it is certainly not the secret password into God’s presence.

The idea that only tongue-speakers have access to certain blessings or spiritual depths is not only unbiblical, but also spiritually damaging. It turns a gracious gift into a litmus test that fosters insecurity and envy in the hearts of those who haven’t received it and pride in those who have.

Ironically, if there is any spiritual gift Paul exhorts believers to desire, it’s not speaking in tongues but prophecy:

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1
“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:5

Instructions for Speaking in Tongues: Why Interpretation Is Necessary

One of the clearest and most urgent themes in Paul’s teaching on tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 is that this gift must be used in an orderly manner, when exercised in a public church gathering.

Today, however, what we see in many Charismatic and Pentecostal churches would make Paul grieve. Worship leaders break into tongues mid-song, pastors call congregants to all begin speaking in tongues at once during prayer, and often, services are filled with loud, overlapping, unintelligible sounds without a single interpretation.

While such expressions may appear spiritual or even deep, they are actually in disobedience to God’s Word. Paul’s instructions are not suggestions or denominational preferences. They are God’s will for how this gift should be exercised for the building up of the Church. Let’s have a look at them, shall we?

Speaking in Tongues in Public Requires Interpretation

Paul writes:

“The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.” — 1 Corinthians 14:5

In public worship, the primary goal should be the edification of the body. And since tongues are unintelligible without interpretation, their value to others is lost if no one can understand what’s being said. That’s why Paul goes on to say:

“For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” — 1 Corinthians 14:13–14

Uninterpreted tongues may benefit the speaker personally, but they are unfruitful for the gathered body. And this is crucial for us to understand. The local church is not the place for self-edification at the expense of the edification of the church.

Paul even adds:

“Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say ‘Amen’ to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.” — 1 Corinthians 14:16–17

Imagine visiting a church for the first time and hearing the entire congregation mumbling or shouting in unknown languages. There’s no context, no explanation, and no interpretation. For many, it would be confusing or even frightening. Paul anticipated this very thing and addressed it head-on:

“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” — 1 Corinthians 14:18–19

Paul is not against the gift itself, he used it. But not at the expense of the edification of the body of Christ. In public gatherings, clarity trumps emotion. Five clear words that build up are better than ten thousand impressive but unintelligible utterances.

Speaking in Tongues Are a Sign—But For Whom?

Another surprising but often overlooked passage is this one:

“Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.” — 1 Corinthians 14:22

When tongues are used without interpretation in the church, their purpose as a sign is lost—and instead of drawing unbelievers toward God, it repels them:

“So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?” — 1 Corinthians 14:23

This is, sadly the testimony of many who have walked into a Charismatic service and left disoriented or even disturbed. The very gift that should point people to God ends up creating confusion because it’s being used contrary to Scripture.

The Biblical Order for Speaking in Tongues in Church

Thankfully, Paul doesn’t just critique misuse, but he gives a clear blueprint for how the gift should function in corporate worship. He says:

“If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.” — 1 Corinthians 14:27–28

This passage alone should silence much of what happens in many modern services. In summary:

• Only two or three should speak.
• One at a time.
• There must be an interpreter.
• No interpreter? Then be silent.

These instructions are not arbitrary; they are rooted in God’s character. Just a few verses later, Paul states:

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace; as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33

In other words, chaos is not a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Order is. The Spirit of God does not inspire confusion or noise for the sake of noise. He builds up the body in truth, clarity, and love.

This also means that contrary to the idea that the Spirit simply “takes over” and the person has no control over themselves is false. We are responsible for how and when we exercise the spiritual gifts bestowed on us. The Holy Spirit does not override our will. After all, one of the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23, is self-control alongside love, joy, peace, and others.

Love Is the Motivation

If you read the entire 1 Corinthians 14, it comes out clearly that Paul is making a case for why prophecy is a gift that we should desire more than that of speaking in tongues. And it’s important for us to ask ourselves why?  Let me submit to you that it’s not because prophecy is flashier or more powerful. But the answer is found in 1 Corinthians 13. And the answer is love.

And that, according to Paul, is the whole point of spiritual gifts in the church: the building up of the body in love.

“So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” — 1 Corinthians 14:12

The Corinthian Problem Is Our Problem

What we see in many churches today is not new. The Corinthian believers also elevated the gift of tongues just like we do today. Speaking in tongues had become a badge of spiritual superiority and a public display of a private experience. And if we are honest, we have to admit that at the heart of much of the abuse of this gift today, just as it was back then is selfishness.

There’s something about tongues that, when misused, feeds the flesh. It can make us feel like we’re on a higher spiritual plane than others.

And whether we admit it or not, usually when we insist on praying loudly in tongues in a public service without interpretation, or when we hijack moments of worship to display our “spirituality,” what we’re actually doing is drawing attention to ourselves. But is this the posture the Spirit of God calls us to?

Love Does Not Seek Its Own

So often, 1 Corinthians 13 is read at weddings, but its original context is spiritual gifts. After outlining all the various spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul takes a deliberate pause in chapter 13 to say, “And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” That way is love. He says,

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1

No matter how powerful or supernatural your gift is, without love, it is nothing. It’s just noise. Empty sound. So what is love, really? Paul defines it clearly:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking…” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

This is the core of Paul’s argument. Love doesn’t push to be heard. Love doesn’t insist on it’s own way just to feel spiritual. Love doesn’t demand to be seen or to showcase a gift so others can applaud. Love lays down its rights for the sake of others.

That’s why Paul, when writing to a church abusing the gift of speaking in tongues, says:

“Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.” — 1 Corinthians 14:12

And later:

“Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” — 1 Corinthians 14:26b

In a church setting, the goal is not self-edification but mutual edification. It’s not about what makes me feel good, but about what builds others up. Remember Paul’s words in verse 19?

“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” — 1 Corinthians 14:19

Ten thousand words, dear friends! That’s how far Paul goes to make his point. You could speak in tongues for hours, and yet if no one understands you, if it doesn’t serve anyone else, it would be better to simply say five words that build up.

This is humility. This is what love looks like.

The Call to Maturity

Part of growing in Christ is recognizing that spiritual gifts are not about showing off. They are not about flaunting your intimacy with God in front of others. The local church is not the place for self-expression at the expense of others. Paul puts it beautifully and gently:

“Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” — 1 Corinthians 14:20

Childish faith seeks attention. Mature faith seeks to serve.

And this brings us back full circle. Why does Paul lay out such detailed instructions in chapter 14? Why all the structure, the emphasis on interpretation, the preference for prophecy, the restriction on how many should speak in tongues and when?

Because love requires it. Love restrains us when our spiritual expression may hinder others. Love compels us to speak clearly, that others may understand and be encouraged and comforted. Love values the body more than our personal experience.

Until we understand the heart of 1 Corinthians 13, we will continue to ignore 1 Corinthians 14. But once we grasp the self-sacrificial nature of love, we’ll no longer insist on expressing gifts for our own sake but will desire above all to build up the body of Christ.

Conclusion: Return to the More Excellent Way

Dear reader, if you’ve come this far, my prayer is that you have felt both the challenge and the comfort of truth. This conversation is not meant to be a rebuke but a call. A loving, scriptural call, to honor God by honoring His design for the Church through a humble obedience to His Word.

The Corinthian church made the mistake of exalting what looked impressive instead of what truly mattered. They cared more about showing off spiritual gifts than growing in spiritual maturity. And in doing so, they missed the heart of the Gospel. Let’s not make the same mistake.

So here is the invitation: Let us return to the more excellent way.

Let us be a people who desire the gifts of the Spirit, but also who are even more passionate about the fruit of the Spirit. And above all, let us never forget that the Church is not a stage for self-edification but a sanctuary for mutual edification. A place where Christ is glorified, the Word is central, and every gift is exercised in love.

That is the more excellent way. May we walk in it.