Gift of Tongues (Spirit of Truth Part 7)
Christ in Us: Partnering with God Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
The church is not just a local community; it's a global family. As part of the Antioch movement—a worldwide network of churches committed to planting and establishing Christ-centered communities—there is an extraordinary sense of partnership across continents. From Salt Lake City to South Africa, from the United States to Southeast Asia, this global family is united by one compelling truth: the love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14–15, ESV).
That same love fuels a lifestyle not of comfort or routine, but of partnership with God to bring His Kingdom to earth.
Not Just a Prayer, But a Calling
When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10, ESV), He wasn't handing them a prayer to recite mindlessly. He was extending an invitation into a divine partnership. That prayer carries purpose—an alignment with the mission of God. The kingship of Jesus is not contested in heaven, but it is here on earth. And that’s where our role becomes essential.
Humanity was created to extend God’s rule, but sin disrupted that authority. Through Jesus, that authority is being reclaimed—and He’s calling His people to partner with Him in doing so.
Intimacy That Overflows Into Action
Jesus modeled this partnership. In John 5:19 (ESV), He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing." This life of intimate connection with God overflowed into active obedience.
This is the heartbeat of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives—Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27, ESV). It’s not about being extraordinary in our own strength. It’s about the extraordinary Spirit of Christ dwelling in ordinary people.
Spiritual Gifts: The Power Within
God gives each believer spiritual gifts by His grace. As 1 Corinthians 12 teaches, these gifts—whether wisdom, healing, miracles, or speaking in tongues—are given by the same Spirit and for the common good. The Greek word used here, charismata, comes from charis, meaning grace. These gifts are a result of God’s unearned, overwhelming grace working through us.
It’s easy to feel hesitant or even skeptical when it comes to the spiritual gifts, especially those like speaking in tongues. But Scripture makes it clear: these are not optional extras—they are expressions of God’s power designed to build up the church and draw us deeper into relationship with Him.
The Power of the Tongue
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the power of our words. Proverbs says "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21, ESV). James 3 describes the tongue as both a rudder that steers a ship and a fire that can set a forest ablaze. No human can tame it, but God can sanctify it.
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the early church—and tongues of fire rested on them! The same unruly member that once cursed and tore down was now submitted to God for His glory.
This is what makes the gift of tongues so profound. It isn’t about spiritual theatrics; it’s about surrender. It’s about submitting the smallest, most uncontrollable part of ourselves to God.
Understanding the Gift of Tongues
1 Corinthians 14 outlines two categories of tongues:
Public Tongues – Meant for the church setting and must be accompanied by interpretation so others are built up.
Private Tongues – Often referred to as praying in the Spirit or having a personal prayer language. This builds up the individual believer (1 Corinthians 14:4, ESV).
Paul writes, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful” (1 Corinthians 14:14, ESV). This form of prayer is not about intellectual understanding but spiritual connection. It is a means of submitting our will and weakness to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede when we don't know what to pray (Romans 8:26–27, ESV).
Walking the Journey
Many believers come to this topic with questions or confusion, and that’s okay. Every journey with the Holy Spirit is unique. For some, the gifts are experienced in a moment of encounter; for others, they unfold over time as they seek, ask, and submit.
Whether this is your first time hearing about spiritual gifts or you’ve been walking with God for decades, the invitation is the same: bring your questions to God. Ask Him to help you walk out what you see in His Word. And be willing to go on the journey, together in community.
An Invitation to Surrender
Before we ask for gifts, we must offer ourselves. The Lord wants every part of our lives—including our speech. The gift of tongues, like every gift, begins with surrender. It’s about yielding even the smallest parts of ourselves—our words, our desires, our comfort zones—to the purposes of God.
God doesn't want us to stay uninformed or uncertain. He wants to fill, empower, and use His people—through Christ in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit—to bring heaven to earth.
Reflection Questions
In what ways have I seen God work through spiritual gifts in my life or the lives of others?
Are there areas of my life—especially my speech—that I need to surrender more fully to God?
What would it look like for me to ask God for spiritual gifts and to begin walking in them with humility and faith?