Speaking in Tongues: A Real Language, A Real Message

Good morning, everyone!

Now, I’ve preached about this before, but it’s always good to revisit topics like speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues. These concepts can be confusing at first, but with some clarity and understanding, we can truly grasp how God works through His Holy Spirit in spiritual warfare and our everyday lives.

Today, we’re going to dive into a fascinating and often misunderstood topic: Speaking in Tongues and Interpreting Tongues. If you’ve ever been in a church service where someone began speaking in a language you didn’t understand, you might’ve wondered, “What in the world is happening? Is this real? Is this some spiritual party trick? And what’s the point of all this?”

Let me tell you upfront—this is not mystical gibberish. It is a real language, with a real purpose. And it is certainly not meant to be chaotic or confusing. Speaking in tongues serves to confirm both the message and the messenger. So, let me break this down for you and help you see how speaking in tongues fits perfectly into God’s plan. And here’s the key takeaway: God is not a God of confusion—He is THE Word.

Speaking in Tongues: A Real Language

Let’s start with a common misconception: Speaking in tongues is not just random sounds or syllables strung together. It’s not like someone just makes up words or babbles out of excitement. No! When the Holy Spirit empowers someone to speak in tongues, He’s using real languages to communicate a message.

Take a look at Acts 2. On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues. Here’s what happened:

“When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.” (Acts 2:6)

Did you catch that? It wasn’t some strange or unknown sound. People heard their own language being spoken by the disciples. This is key: It wasn’t just about the disciples speaking in tongues—it was about the message of the gospel being clearly communicated to all people in their own language.

Speaking in tongues was not random; it was a sign that the Holy Spirit was actively working through them to deliver a message that transcended language barriers. It’s a real language that serves to confirm the message God wants to communicate. It's a miracle, not a meaningless noise.

A Language With a Purpose: Not Gibberish, But Clarity

Now, let me address an interesting point. In the original Hebrew language, we have two different words for “language.” These words are safa and lashon. If you take them literally, they actually refer to body parts!

• Safa means “lip”.

• Lashon means “tongue”.

Why do we have two words for language? What’s the difference? The reason is important. Safa (lip) refers to the spoken aspect of language—the way words come out of our mouth. Lashon (tongue) refers to the actual organs in our mouth that form these words. So, while both words refer to language, they carry different nuances: one refers to the physical act of speech, while the other refers to the tongue itself that makes communication possible.

In fact, when we think of the Hebrew language, it is often called “Lashon HaKodesh”, which means “the Holy Tongue” or “the Holy Language”. The term “Lashon Ivri” refers to the “Hebrew Tongue”. This is the same language that was used by the people before the Tower of Babel, and it’s considered sacred and divine.

So, when we talk about speaking in tongues, we can understand that it’s not about gibberish; it’s about real languages, given by God, that are meant to communicate His will.

The Role of Interpretation: Confirming the Message

So now we know that speaking in tongues is a real language with a real purpose. But how do we know the message is true? How do we know it’s not just someone making things up?

Here’s where the gift of interpretation of tongues comes in.

Paul addresses the use of tongues in the church in 1 Corinthians 14, where he stresses that speaking in tongues without interpretation or validation is essentially pointless. Why? Because the message will be unclear. He says:

“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. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort.” (1 Corinthians 14:2-3)

But here’s the key: When a language is interpreted, the message becomes clear. The interpretation is not just a guess—it is an understanding of the message being spoken in that language. And this interpretation confirms that the original message is from God.

God is not a God of confusion. His message is always clear, true, and purposeful. So when tongues are spoken and interpreted, we can trust that the message is legitimate, and it serves to edify and build up the church.

The Biblical Clarity: 1 Corinthians 14:9-10

Now, let’s look at 1 Corinthians 14:9-10. Paul is very practical about the use of tongues and their purpose in the church. He says:

“So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning.” (1 Corinthians 14:9-10)

This is really important: Paul is saying tongues are a real language and have meaning! They are not to be spoken aimlessly or without purpose. Paul even acknowledges that there are many different languages in the world (over 7000 actually), but none of them is without meaning. That means when someone speaks in tongues, it is not meaningless or random. It carries divine meaning, and when interpreted, it conveys God's will and message to the people.

It’s crucial to understand that when we speak in tongues, it is never without purpose. Every language, every utterance, has a specific divine meaning, and that meaning must be clear and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. And that is why interpretation is key—it helps bring clarity and understanding to what is being communicated.

Confirming the Messenger: Spiritual Authority

Speaking in tongues and interpreting tongues doesn’t just confirm the message; it also confirms the messenger.

The ability to speak in tongues is not a sign of spiritual superiority, but rather a gift from the Holy Spirit. It’s a sign that the speaker is empowered by the Spirit to speak and act on behalf of God.

In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Paul lists the gifts of the Spirit. These gifts aren’t meant to elevate one believer over another. They are meant to equip the body of Christ. The person who speaks in tongues is not showing off some spiritual “superpower”; they’re showing the world that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to communicate on God’s behalf.

Think of it this way: If you were a messenger for a king, you’d want to make sure every word you spoke carried the full authority of that king, right? Well, that’s what happens when someone speaks in tongues and an interpretation is given. The message and the messenger are confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

No Confusion, Only Clarity

I want to remind you once more: God is not a God of confusion. If speaking in tongues leads to chaos or confusion, it’s not from God. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

When tongues are spoken, it should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). God’s message is always clear, true, and purposeful. And when we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, whether it's speaking in tongues, prophecy, or any other spiritual gift, it should always edify and build up the body of Christ.

So, if you’ve ever witnessed or participated in speaking in tongues, remember this: It’s not about random noise or mysticism. It’s about confirming the message of God. It’s a real language that serves to communicate God’s will for His people. And when it’s interpreted, it confirms that the message is from God, strengthening the church.

Conclusion: The Word in Action

God is the Word, and He is always about bringing clarity, purpose, and power to His message. Speaking in tongues is one of the many ways He uses His Spirit to reveal Himself and empower His people.

So, the next time you encounter speaking in tongues, remember this: It’s a real language for a real purpose. And just like everything God does, it’s not about confusion—it’s about confirming His Word in our lives and in the lives of His people. God is not about disorder or chaos; He is the God of clarity and peace, and the spiritual gifts He gives us are designed to bring unity, strength, and purpose to the body of Christ.

Let us embrace this gift, seek understanding, and remain faithful to His calling in our lives. Amen.