Tongues

Revelatory / Sign Gifts

Literal Meaning

Tongue, language

Description

The gift of Tongues is the divine enablement to speak, worship or pray in a language unknown to the speaker. People with the gift may receive a spontaneous message from God which is made known to His body through the gift of Interpretation.

Distinctives

People with this gift tend to:

  • •Express with an interpretation a word by the Spirit which edifies the body.
  • •Communicate a message given by God for the church.
  • •Speak in a language they have never learned and do not understand.
  • •Worship the Lord with unknown words too deep for the mind to comprehend.
  • •Experience an intimacy with God which inspires them to serve and edify others.

Common Traits

SensitivePrayerfulResponsiveTrustingDevotedSpontaneousReceptive

In Practice

Private prayer language, corporate worship expression, sign to unbelievers (Acts 2)

Cautions

Every gift can be misused or overextended. Here are some things to watch for:

  • ⚠Should remain silent in the church if there is no interpreter.
  • ⚠Should avoid expecting others to manifest this gift which may cause inauthenticity of the Spirit.
  • ⚠Should remember that all the gifts, including this one, are to edify others.

Scripture References

Biblical foundations for this gift:

1 Cor 12:10,28-3013:114:1–5Acts 2:1-11

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