Chapter 5

by Praise Malinga

The gift of divers kinds of tongues and praying in tongues are two related but distinct experiences. Praying in tongues, also known as speaking in tongues, is a spiritual discipline that is available to all believers, where one speaks to God in a language that is not understood by the speaker.

As it is written in 1 Corinthians 14:4, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church." This type of praying in tongues is a means of personal edification, where the speaker is built up in their spirit, and is encouraged to pray in the spirit (Jude 1:20, Ephesians 6:18).

One of the confusion in the body of Christ is to think that those who pray in tongues the Holy Spirit do it for them. No, He only give us words or utterance that need us to speak them out by faith. You don't feel those utterances before you speak, so if you are baptised with the Holy Spirit and received Him in you, please open your mouth and pray in tongues because you already do. Just do it by faith since no one by the Holy Spirit can curse our Lord Jesus Christ. And all of us we do not understand what we are saying. All this is normal tongues for every believer.

On the other hand, the gift of divers kinds of tongues is a specific manifestation gift of the Holy Spirit, where the speaker receives a message from God or angels in a language that requires interpretation to be understood by others. This gift is meant to edify the church, and is typically accompanied by the gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:5).

Key differences:

• Purpose: Praying in tongues edifies the speaker, while the gift of divers kinds of tongues is meant to edify the church through interpretation.
• Direction: Praying in tongues is speaking to God, while the gift of divers kinds of tongues is often God or angels speaking to us through the speaker.
• Interpretation: Praying in tongues does not require interpretation, while the gift of divers kinds of tongues requires interpretation to be understood by others.

Conclusion

In summary, praying in tongues is a normal part of the Christian's prayer life, while the gift of divers kinds of tongues is a specific manifestation gift of the Holy Spirit, meant to edify the church through interpretation.

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