Why I Was Wrong About Speaking in Tongues

For years, I believed that speaking in tongues was either unnecessary, misunderstood, or misrepresented. I was convinced that it had been exaggerated, misused, or even misapplied in modern church settings. I framed my concerns as a matter of biblical caution. In reality, I was allowing discomfort, incomplete study, and selective interpretation to shape my conclusion.

After deeper study—both biblically and historically—I’ve had to admit something humbling: I was wrong.

This post is not a defense of chaos, emotionalism, or unbiblical practice. It is a confession that my earlier position did not fully account for Scripture, history, or God’s ongoing work through the Holy Spirit.

The Language Question Changed Everything

One of the most compelling turning points for me was re-examining the issue of language itself.

Scholars estimate that over 20,000 distinct languages have existed throughout human history. Today, there are approximately 7,000 known living languages actively spoken around the world. Many of these languages are unknown to outsiders, unwritten, or spoken by small populations.

That matters.

When Scripture speaks of “tongues,” it does not restrict God to a narrow linguistic framework. At Pentecost, the miracle was not ecstatic noise—it was Spirit-empowered speech that transcended human limitation.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
— Acts 2:4 (KJV)

“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
— Acts 2:8 (KJV)

God demonstrated His authority over language itself. With thousands of languages in existence, the idea that God could empower speech beyond a speaker’s natural knowledge is not far-fetched—it is consistent with His nature.

Tongues Were Never About Showing Off

One of my earlier objections was based on abuse I had seen—public disorder, pressure to perform, or spiritual elitism. But abuse does not negate proper use.

Scripture never presents tongues as a badge of superiority. It presents them as a gift, given by God, distributed by God, and governed by God.

“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV)

Paul does not deny tongues. He corrects misuse. That distinction matters.

In fact, Paul says plainly:

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:18 (KJV)

You cannot honestly read that and argue Paul was dismissive of the gift.

Prayer Beyond Human Vocabulary

Another shift came when I considered the limits of human language itself.

There are moments of intercession, grief, spiritual warfare, and surrender where words fail. Scripture acknowledges that reality.

“For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
— Romans 8:26 (KJV)

If God is not limited by 7,000 current languages—or even the 20,000 spoken across history—why would I assume prayer must be?

Tongues, rightly understood, are not about replacing intelligible speech. They are about Spirit-assisted prayer, especially when human understanding reaches its limit.

Order Still Matters—and Scripture Agrees

Admitting I was wrong does not mean abandoning discernment.

Scripture is clear that public use of tongues requires interpretation and order.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

Paul corrects excess, not existence. He regulates practice, not principle.

The problem was never tongues.
The problem was disorder without discipleship.

What I Believe Now

I no longer see speaking in tongues as something to dismiss or fear. I see it as:

• Biblically grounded
• Historically consistent
• Spiritually purposeful
• Governed by Scripture
• Never forced, never faked

I was wrong because I tried to protect the Church from misuse instead of trusting the Holy Spirit to work within biblical boundaries.

A Final Word

Humility matters in theology.

Being willing to say “I was wrong” is not weakness—it is obedience to truth.

God is not limited by language.
The Holy Spirit is not confined to human vocabulary.
And the Church is healthiest when Scripture—not experience or reaction—sets the standard.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

I was wrong about speaking in tongues—not because Scripture changed, but because my understanding did.