This aspect of tongues is unique. Tongues is the only gift of God that edifies you personally and individually All of the other gifts serve to edify the church and to build up the body. But this one gift was given to build you up, to strengthen you. Speaking in tongues strengthens your walk, your relationships, and gives you the power to commune with God on a deep, spiritual level.2 Limited Use in Church Tongues was a popular gift in the Corinthian church and many people liked to exercise it to excess. That is why Paul wrote, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue" (I Corinthians 14:18,19). In several ways Paul restricted the use of tongues in church services. First, he restricted it to services in which an interpreter was present. In I Corinthians 14:28, he wrote, "If there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." In other words, don't speak out in tongues during church if no interpreter is present. This brings up a very important point. Some believers contend that they have no control over their speaking in tongues. It is thought that somehow the Spirit takes over and they lose control - the Spirit overrides their will and they speak out in tongues. I remember the testimony of a good saint of God who described how she received the gift of tongues. The gas meter reader
This aspect of tongues is unique. Tongues is the only gift of God that edifies you personally and individually All of the other gifts serve to edify the church and to build up the body. But this one gift was given to build you up, to strengthen you. Speaking in tongues strengthens your walk, your relationships, and gives you the power to commune with God on a deep, spiritual level.2 Limited Use in Church Tongues was a popular gift in the Corinthian church and many people liked to exercise it to excess. That is why Paul wrote, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue" (I Corinthians 14:18,19). In several ways Paul restricted the use of tongues in church services. First, he restricted it to services in which an interpreter was present. In I Corinthians 14:28, he wrote, "If there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God." In other words, don't speak out in tongues during church if no interpreter is present. This brings up a very important point. Some believers contend that they have no control over their speaking in tongues. It is thought that somehow the Spirit takes over and they lose control - the Spirit overrides their will and they speak out in tongues. I remember the testimony of a good saint of God who described how she received the gift of tongues. The gas meter reader