A language consists of vocal sounds used in speech for the purpose of communication. When a Christian “speaks in tongues”, he is speaking in a language. It is a spiritual language as referred to in I Corinthians where Paul writes “I will pray in the spirit…and I will sing in the spirit”. Clearly and indisputably, Paul is taking about vocal expressions in an unknown tongue. There is no sense in debating the obvious.
So, we can see from the Bible that Speaking in Tongues consists of vocal expressions that are a functional, useful and purposeful language. Here is the most important principle to understand when it comes to Speaking in Tongues. The degree to which you will utilize and experience Speaking in Tongues is directly proportionate to the degree that you treat Speaking in Tongues as a genuine language.
Speaking in Tongues must be more than a “token” expression to signify that you are spirit-filled. If you only spoke in your natural earthly language every now and then, how successful are you going to be in life? If you only occasionally spoke in your natural earthly language you are not going to communicate very effectively and most likely will be misperceived as to your person and what you stand for and what you believe in. Likewise, the language of the spirit must not be neglected or “put aside” as merely a symbol or given curio status.
God gives you spiritual anointings, gifts and the infilling of the Holy Spirit for a purpose. Spiritual things are not to be treated casually. And, one very important thing to remember is that the human vessel through which the spirit speaks, is not perfect. That’s right, you are not perfect.
An analogy that works at this point is that of a radio frequency. You turn the tuner on your radio in search of the desired frequency of the particular radio station you are trying to receive. In the process of turning the radio dial, you come upon the frequency. Once found, you attempt to “tune in” the clearest frequency possible. You notice that just to the right and just to the left of the particular frequency, you start to pick up static. The station you want can still be heard but it is not as clear and sounds fuzzy. There is static mixed with the radio signal you are trying to receive. If your station is an A.M. station and there is a storm outside, you can pick up a tremendous amount of static, especially if it is an electrical storm.
Just because you get some static “mixed in” with the desired frequency you want, doesn’t mean that the station “doesn’t exist” or “isn’t real”. It would be foolish and totally illogical to say “well, there is a lot of static in the atmosphere tonight and it is mixing with the radio signal, therefore, the station I am trying to receive must not exist”. That would be just simply idiotic. You agree. Now, here’s the spiritual analogy. The Christian is like a spiritual radio trying to receive a Heavenly signal from God. Now, I think we can all agree that God exists. OK, so, God speaks to us a pure word by His spirit. But, in our soul, there is a lot of static and it sometimes gets “mixed in” with the word that God is speaking to us. You are beginning to see my point. The gifts, anointings and words that God gives are pure, but, they are communicated through human beings who have impurities that get mixed in with what God is saying.
Let me put it forth this way. Often, after attending a church meeting you will hear someone say “wasn’t that a good word that brother so and so got tonight” or “wasn’t that a really good prophecy that was spoken over sister so and so this morning”. Why does the person say “good”? I mean, if it’s a prophecy or tongues and interpretation from God, then how could it “not be good”. But yet, we often measure the “quality” of the word given. The reason is quite simple. We are measuring in our spirit man, the level or the degree to which the speaker was operating in the spirit vs operating in their flesh (or carnal mind). See, the word that God gives is pure, but it is transmitted through impure vessels. So, we must rightly divide and judge by the Holy Spirit as to what part is of God and what part is of man. Getting back to my analogy, you don’t hear people say “well, I don’t think all of what the speaker said tonight was of God, therefore, God doesn’t exist”. But yet when it comes to Speaking in Tongues, that is exactly the approach that many Christians take toward the entire subject.
No one is perfect, except for Jesus Christ. That is what qualified Him to be our Savior. So, if you are looking for someone to be perfect before he or she can be qualified to Speak in Tongues, then don’t look in the mirror. Where is that person? You see, all of this confusion and legalism that is thrown out concerning Speaking in Tongues is a tactic of Satan to do what? To get Christians to avoid Speaking in Tongues altogether.
Speaking in Tongues is a gift from God. It is referred to as a “promise” by Peter in the Book of Acts. Just remember one thing, Whatever you decide about Speaking in Tongues and whatever judgment you make concerning those who do, you must also be ready and willing to apply your analysis and belief toward the original disciples of Jesus and the Apostle Paul because, as we know from the Bible, they all spoke in tongues.
Pastor Steven Kuhlke
Original Publish Date: Jun 26, 2005
