What Is Speaking in Tongues?

Speaking in tongues can be a confusing topic, especially because so many churches today teach different things about it. Some say it’s an “angelic language” and claim that speaking in tongues is proof you’ve received the Holy Spirit—and even that it’s one of the signs you’re truly saved. But what does the Bible actually say?

What Does “Tongues” Mean in the Bible?

In Scripture, the word “tongues” simply means languages—real, spoken languages that other people can understand. It’s not about making strange sounds or mumbling unintelligible phrases. When the Bible talks about speaking in tongues, it’s referring to the miraculous ability to speak in an actual human language the speaker never learned.

We see this clearly in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost. They began speaking in various foreign languages, and people from different countries were shocked because they heard them speaking in their own native tongues:

“They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues… And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:4, 8)

This was not confusing or chaotic—it was a supernatural act of God, clearly understood by the crowd.

Is Tongues Just Gibberish?

Sadly, in many churches today, what’s called “speaking in tongues” looks nothing like what happened in Acts. People often repeat sounds that no one can understand, calling it an “angelic language.” It’s treated as something mysterious—something beyond human understanding. Some churches even go as far as to have another person “interpret” these random sounds.

But let’s be honest: none of this lines up with what we see in Scripture. If you ask me, it looks more like people either fooling each other or being influenced by a different spirit—not the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). The Holy Spirit brings clarity, truth, and holiness—not chaos and confusion. He helps us live righteously—not speak in gibberish.

What About Tongues in Church?

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he was addressing a real issue. The Corinthian believers had started misusing the gift of tongues in their gatherings, turning it into a display that caused more confusion than clarity.

It’s important to understand the context. Corinth was a major city in the Roman Empire, located in southern Greece. It was a busy port and trade hub filled with people from all over the Mediterranean—Greeks, Romans, Jews, and many others. Because of this, the early church there was socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse.

While Greek was the common language most people could understand, many in the church likely also spoke Latin, Aramaic, or other native dialects from their homelands. So when someone stood up in a service and began speaking in a language that wasn’t widely understood, it created confusion instead of encouragement—unless there was someone to interpret.

That’s why Paul gave specific instructions. If someone was preaching, exhorting, or even giving a testimony in a different language, there needed to be an interpreter. Otherwise, it was better for that person to remain silent.

“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church…” (1 Corinthians 14:27–28)

The goal was never to put on a show or stir up emotional hype. The goal was always understanding, edification, and unity. God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

So if someone is speaking in another language, whether to teach, testify, or encourage, there must be someone to interpret. Otherwise, it serves no one. True worship is not about spectacle—it’s about truth being clearly communicated so everyone can grow in Christ.

Is Tongues for Everyone?

No. Paul is very clear that not all believers will have the same spiritual gifts. Some will teach, some will serve, some will encourage, and some may be given the gift of tongues—but not everyone.

“Are all apostles?… do all speak with tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:29–30)

We are the body of Christ, and each part has its own role. You don’t need to speak in tongues to prove that you have the Holy Spirit.

What’s the Real Sign of the Holy Spirit?

Some churches preach that speaking in tongues is the sign of being filled with the Spirit. But the Bible teaches that the real evidence is in how we live.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22–23)

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just show up in noise—He shows up in transformation. A life filled with love, patience, and holiness is the true mark of God’s Spirit at work.

Is It Truly the Mark of Being Saved?

No, speaking in unintelligible gibberish is not the evidence of salvation or the Holy Spirit’s presence. In fact, it may be a sign of something far more troubling—a spirit that is not from the Lord. The Holy Spirit is holy. He leads us into truth, purity, and obedience—not into confusion and noise that no one can understand.

If you’re in a church that teaches you must be baptized in water and speak in tongues in order to be saved, then let this article be a wake-up call. You’re not reading this by accident. God may be reaching out to you—calling you into a deeper, biblical understanding of true salvation.

I urge you to prayerfully reconsider being part of a church that promotes that kind of false teaching. It’s far from what Scripture actually says. According to Hebrews 12:14, “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Holiness—not tongues—is the requirement.

Holiness comes from living a life set apart for God:

• Renouncing evil
• Avoiding even the appearance of sin
• Walking in purity
• And most importantly, having a real, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ—through His Word and through prayer

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). That’s the daily call of a true believer—not just an emotional moment or outward display, but a consistent surrender of self to follow Christ in holiness and obedience.