Have you heard of the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, but weren’t sure how to receive it? Well, today is your lucky day! In this blog post, I’m going to share with you everything that you need to know about receiving the incredible gift of speaking in tongues.
With a firm foundation and proper understanding, you can begin experiencing this unique spiritual practice for yourself soon. So without further ado — let’s dive into how we can work together to make this profound shift from deep within ourselves.
Is speaking in tongues a gift?
Without a doubt, speaking in tongues is a gift. It is the gift which comes with the Spirit of God to anyone and everyone who has believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ (his death, burial, and resurrection), and has the Spirit of God in them.
That’s why Apostle Paul mentioned it as part of the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:4,10 where he talked about the diversities of gifts.
It says there are differences in gifts, but it is the same Spirit that offered it all. And Paul mentioned a kind of tongue: speaking in an unusual language different from the generally accepted ones, as part of those gifts. So, to speak in tongues is a gift from God by his spirit.
How to receive the gift of speaking in tongues
The gift of tongues is often referred to as part of the “gifts of the Spirit”. However, the right way to say this according to the original writings is “gifts in the Spirit”.
Meaning spiritual gifts; prophecy, word of Wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, discernment of spirit, tongues and interpretation, and kind of tongues, which Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 12 can’t be found anywhere else apart from the Spirit of God.
The Spirit of God is the proprietor of these gifts, and they can only be received through Him. Therefore, to receive the gift of speaking in tongues, you must have the Spirit of God inside of you.
And for you to have the Spirit of God indwelling you, you must have believed in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1: 13).
Can everyone speak in tongues?
Everyone can and can’t speak in tongues. The answer to this question will depend on which category “everyone” falls into.
Jesus Christ clarified it for us specifically in the Gospel of Mark, whom the sign of speaking in tongues will follow. Mark 16: 17, and these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name, shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues? It says everyone who believes.
Hence, it is safe to say that “everyone” who has believed in the gospel of Jesus can speak in tongues by the influence of God’s spirit residing in them.
Why am I not receiving the gift of tongues?
Remember, I said, the gift of tongues can only be received through the spirit of God coming to dwell in you. And you receive the Spirit by believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
However, if you are a believer, and you’re still not manifesting the gift of tongues, it can be caused by either of these two reasons;
1. Wandering in unbelief
It takes faith to walk with God and reason for what He has given to you. Not admitting what the word of God said you have as a believer can develop in you not experiencing what God has made available and accessible for your benefit.
You must believe that you have been given the ability to speak in tongues because you believe in Christ – it is a distinguishing factor that set you apart from the unbelievers. Stop walking in unbelief and start believing what God has done for you in Christ.
2. Reluctant Heart
The fact that you have the Spirit of God inside of you doesn’t mean He will forcefully impose the expression of this gift on you. He’s not an evil spirit that takes hold of a man to manifest. It takes a willing heart to serve God and walk with him, not by compulsion. 1 Corinthians 12: 7.
The exhibition of the gift of speaking in tongues is dependent on your willingness. If you don’t put it to use, it’ll only lay dormant in you. Hence, you must put it to use – by Faith.
Prayer to receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.
There is no amount of prayer a man can pray that can make him receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is received by simply believing the Gospel of Jesus (Ephesians 1: 13), and when you believe in Him, you then can function in all the gifts of the spirit – tongue inclusive. (1 Corinthians 12: 7)
Is there a difference between speaking in tongues and the gift of tongues?
Yes! Speaking in tongues is the act of a believer in Christ expressing himself in an unknown language, in his/her fellowship with God. While the gift of tongues is the unknown language itself.
What does it mean when someone is speaking in tongues?
In 1 Corinthians 14: 2 that when a man is speaking in tongues he speaks to God in mystery. In words that can’t be understood by human knowledge. When you are speaking in tongues, you are talking to and building intimacy with God, our father, in the spirit.
What did Jesus say about speaking in tongues?
Jesus calls it a sign that follows everyone who believes. It is a distinguishing characteristic that defines those who have believed (Mark 16: 17).
Who was the first person to speak in tongues in the Bible?
The disciples and the Apostles of Jesus Christ were the first individuals to speak in tongues. You’ll see this in the Bible in Acts 2:1-4. They were all gathered in one place on the Day of Pentecost. And were all filled with the spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Conclusion
Receiving the gift of speaking in tongues is an act of Faith in the finished word of Christ. It’s a sign of God’s spirit dwelling in the believer. If you’ve believed in Christ, then you can speak in tongues.
