DIFFERENT KINDS OF TONGUES

1 Cor. 12:7-10 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

I think one of the most unfortunate things about many Christians and ministries today is their view of speaking in tongues. We catch a glimpse of one of the ways we can better understand the purpose of this supernatural language is seen in today’s verse. Paul said that one of the gifts (or categories of gifts) is speaking in various kinds of tongues. Understanding that may help you in understanding the use of tongues in your private prayer life as well as in public worship. As for the different kinds of tongues we can see them in the Bible as well as in our day to day lives. We see tongues as worship, intercession, supplication, giving of thanks, in prophetic moments, and in breaking the oppressive power of the enemy. Praying in tongues is the epicenter of stepping into the supernatural nature of our Christian experience.
I am grateful for my early experiences as a Christian where I was taught the importance of the prayer language in our worship experience. I was smack in the middle of the Jesus People Movement as well as Charismatic Renewal in California in the 1970’s. Worshipping the Lord in congregational settings was a constant part of our worship experience. Each service would have extended periods of time singing in the Spirit spontaneously. Those moments were filled with power and there would be an expectancy in the atmosphere believing that anything was possible. In those amazing services individuals would often have God encounters that would change the trajectory of their lives. I can remember services like that where there would be deliverance from demonic oppression in the services, others would be healed of emotional trauma, and even physical healings would take place. Many would often feel a call to ministry or foreign missions in those services. The atmosphere was charged with an awareness of God that brought many to a place where they would receive Christ. So I am in a state of expectancy today, I am expecting another generation to have a visitation of the Spirit, this time with no holds barred, singing and speaking in tongues will be the order of the day.