The Journey: Session Two

Different Kinds of Tongues

Part Two

by Bob Van Cleef

Praying in Tongues

Praying in tongues is communicating with God. When we do not know how to pray or what to pray, praying in tongues allows the Spirit in us to do the praying for us. The Holy Spirit knows what God wants in every circumstance. By yielding control of our tongues to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to pray through us, we are allowing Him to pray for what is really needed, not what we think is needed.

(Rom 8:26-27) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Those who are called to intercession often experience ``groanings which cannot be uttered.'' They experience the sorrow and pain of the Spirit. They not only cry, but often will sob in deep anguish, as they get a taste of the sorrow and pain God feels in the circumstances in which they are called to intercede. There is nothing wrong, or unusual in this. History shows many of the Saints having the same type of experiences. This is something between you and God and this is a place where the gift of tongues becomes a great blessing.

(1 Cor 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.

Communicating with God through the gift of tongues builds us up. It helps us to reach out in the Spirit to God and to draw closer to Him. Tongues helps us to build our relationship with God.

Diverse Tongues

(Isa 28:11) For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.

As we grow in openness to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will modify or add to our spiritual vocabulary. It is not uncommon for individuals, based on their calling, to develop multiple prayer languages for various types of prayer. A language of praise appears to be the most common, but languages for intercession and deliverance are also common. Many of those who spend long hours in prayer that includes extended periods of time praying in tongues have heard their language change. They know, at the time of change, the reason for the change.

For example, in the midst of a large gatherings, where we were all gathered together singing in praise, I have often heard my tongue shift from the normal praise language to one of intercession, normally with an understanding of who or what I am interceding for, but without necessarily knowing why the intercessory prayer is needed.

Growing in the Gift of Tongues

If you have not received the gift of tongues or your have been praying with the same prayer language, without growth or change, for many years, then pray that you will be open to the fullness of God's will for you in this gift. This is not a matter of Salvation as some have been known to claim, or a ``proof'' of the presence of God's Spirit in your life as others argue. It is also not a matter for spiritual pride. The absence or presence of the diverse gifts of tongues in your life, or in the lives of those around you, is God's concern. However, if you want to be fully open to everything that God wants for you and for those you are called to help, then pursue this gift. It is such a simple thing, but it is also one of the hardest things to do. Full submission to the Holy Spirit in all His gifts is the foundation of spiritual growth. Begin with the ``lessor of the gifts'' and learn submission.

Speaking in Tongues

Speaking in tongues is a prophetic proclamation in a language not known by the speaker. Order requires that a proclamation in tongues be followed by an interpretation for the edification of those who are listening.

(1 Cor 14:5) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

St. Paul clearly states that the understanding of the assembly requires an interpretation of anything proclaimed in an unknown tongue.

(1 Cor 14:6) But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

(1 Cor 14:12-13) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. [13] Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

(1 Cor 14:19) yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

There is a natural balance between the two gifts; Praying in Tongues and Speaking in Tongues. They both have their place in the gathering of believers. One is a prayer language that aids us in our relationship with God. The other is a prophetic utterance that aids others in their relationships with God. One aids the individual, the other aids the church.

There is a time and place for each of the gifts. Part of growth is learning to discern what and how the Spirit wants to speak to His people, and how we are to participate in the action of the Spirit, for our good and the good of all His people.

(1 Cor 14:14-17) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. [15] What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. [16] Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say ``Amen'' at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? [17] For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

Don't misunderstand and reject the gifts of tongues simply because you don't understand it or you've seen it used improperly. The Apostle Paul is very clear in stating his valuation of the gift.

(1 Cor 14:18) I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

Singing in Tongues

(1 Cor 14:15b)... I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Singing in tongues is a common phenomena at charismatic gatherings. After a period of praise and worship, the gathered people will begin to sing praises to God using their gift of tongues. This is an extension of the prayer use of tongues and often helps unify and focus the people. An analogy that I like to use is that of a symphony orchestra.

(Col 3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

When the members of the orchestra first gather, their focus is on tuning their own individual instruments. So it is with us, when we first gather as a community to pray a lot of our focus is on ourselves, working to put aside the cares of the world and working to shift our focus toward Jesus. During this period of time, any attempts to sing in tongues will, depending on the people who have gathered, sound weak and unsure.

Soon, however, the individuals in the symphony have their instruments tuned and they are listening for the ``first violin'' to sound a clear note for them to use to focus their tuning. This solidifies their sound. At the prayer gathering, the Holy Spirit has the role of first violin. At some point the individuals become able to turn away from the cares of this world and, listening to the Holy Spirit, they are able to focus on Jesus. At that time you will hear the singing in tongues get stronger and more harmonic. As earthly members of His celestial choir, it is our responsibility to turn our focus away from ourselves and our concerns, and to focus more truly on our Conductor, Jesus Christ.

(Isa 65:14a) Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart...

Singing in tongues is a spiritual gift, used by the Holy Spirit, to bring us together and make us one.

(Eph 5:18-21) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, [20] giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [21] submitting to one another in the fear of God.

The Journey: The Gifts of the Spirit

This is part of a collection of handouts designed for use as part of a series of teachings on The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, published by the Catholic Charismatic Center. Copyright (C) 1999 by the Catholic Charismatic Center.

Permission is granted for reproduction for use for non-commercial purposes, providing that you credit the author and the Catholic Charismatic Center.

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