In talking about the subject of tongues in general, let me say that tongues is primarily a
devotional gift. We need to put emphasis on tongues where the emphasis belongs. That is
what Paul was trying to do with the Church at Corinth by saying to them, "I thank my God, I
speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Cor. 14:18)
Paul was telling the Corinthians the purpose of speaking in tongues and what praying in
tongues would do for them. Tongues is primarily a devotional gift to be used in one's prayer life
for praising and worshipping God, for speaking mysteries to God, and for building oneself up
on his most holy faith.
We should not be as concerned about ministering in tongues and interpreting tongues publicly
as we should be about maintaining the blessing tongues produces in our personal prayer lives.
However, as we are faithful to pray in tongues in our own personal prayer lives, that allows us
to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit should He desire to use us in tongues and interpretation in the
local church.
As mentioned earlier, Howard Carter spoke of the continual blessing that tongues are meant to
be to believers in their individual prayer life:
We must not forget that speaking in other tongues is not only an initial evidence or sign of the
Holy Spirit's indwelling, but it is also an experience for the rest of one's life to assist in the
worship of God. It is a flowing stream that should never dry up, but will enrich your life
spiritually. '
The Gift of Tongues in Public Ministry
In addition to praying in tongues in one's individual prayer life, it is also true that there is a
public side to speaking in tongues. Paul said that not everyone would be used in what we call
the public ministry of tongues, for he said in First Corinthians 12:30, "... do all speak with
tongues? ..."
The obvious answer is no because in this verse Paul is talking about the public ministry of
diversities of tongues which is a ministry gift denoting more the prophetic office, not the
devotional gift of tongues.
Some take First Corinthians 12:30 out of its context and conclude that Paul was saying,
"Speaking in tongues isn't for everyone. Therefore, you can be filled with the Spirit without
speaking with tongues."
However, again, we must remember that here Paul is talking about the ministry gift of tongues,
for he began by saying, "AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES" (1 Cor. 12:28). Ministry gifts or offices are "set" in
the Church by God; they are people called to the fivefold ministry.
Then he asked the question in First Corinthians 12:29 and 30, "Are all apostles? . . . fNo, all
are not apostles:29and.) ... are all prophets? . . . [No, all are not prophets.] . . . are all
teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? . . ." Of course, the answer
is no.