Tongues: Spiritual Gifts Definitions, Scriptures, and Ways to Serve

[If you have not already done so, please take a moment now to take this free spiritual gifts assessment. Once you have your results, come back to this and the corresponding 22 blog posts for a detailed description of each of the gifts, focusing on your own as well as becoming familiar with all of them so you can spot and call them out in others.]

Tongues

Those with the gift of Tongues may speak in other languages as the Spirit enables them (Acts 2); may speak in an unknown language (that of “angels”-1 Cor. 13); may speak to God in tongues (1 Cor. 14). Scripture says in addition to tongues being other languages it is also a way of “uttering the mysteries of the Spirit” and “sounding a clear call” to God’s people (1 Cor. 14). To be understood by the Body, tongues must be accompanied by the gift of Interpretation of Tongues.

Scriptures that reference Tongues or show someone exhibiting this gift:

Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12 – 14.

Questions on the assessment that pertain to Tongues:

• When I pray, sometimes words come out that I don’t understand.

• Praying privately in tongues builds my personal faith and helps me feel closer to God.

• I have spoken about faith in a language that is not my native tongue, and felt like God was enabling my fluency.

Some words that describe people with this gift:

• Responsive

• Spirit-led

• God-glorifying

• Communicator

• Expressive

• Worshipful

Potential negatives to this gift:

• May want to use it in all settings whether or not appropriate

• May use it in public without an interpreter present which simply calls attention to the speaker but not the message of God

• May be disruptive in worship

Some possible ways to serve using this gift:

• In worship settings where there is an Interpreter present, or you receive the interpretation, and there is an orderly way to express God’s message

• Healing prayer team

• Prayer team

• Prayer for individuals as God leads

• Private prayer language

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.

All rights reserved.