TONGUES (SUPPORT GIFTS)

The divine enablement to speak in unknown languages. The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by communicating God’s message in a special language unknown to the speaker.

People with this gift:

• Believe God is prompting them to communicate this message, often through prayer, in a specific language unknown to them.
• Intercede for others in prayer using unknown words, sounds, and utterance.
• Desire opportunities to pray, using these unknown languages for God’s glory.
• Express with an interpretation a word by the Spirit which edifies the Body.
• Communicate a message given by God for the church.
• Share with others words and/ or messages of God given to them using unknown language. 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 that inspires them to serve and edify others.
• Comfort or exhort others using unknown languages inspired by God.

Traits: Sensitive, prayerful, responsive, trusting, devoted, spontaneous, and receptive.

Cautions: People with this gift:

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

References: I Cor. 12:10, 28-30, 13:1, 14:1-33, Acts: 2:1-11