David Diga Hernandez - The Language of the Holy Spirit

So, let’s get right into this. I want to talk to you about this important gift and dispel some common misconceptions, as well as address some of the obstacles that keep you from receiving this gift. The scripture, though it does not use the terms I am about to use, clearly teaches us that there are three expressions of the gift of speaking in tongues. The first expression of the gift of speaking in tongues I call the «proof tongue,» and this is found in Acts chapter 2, verses 1 through 6. The Bible says, «On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability.» At that time, there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own language. All the believers were gathered together on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit moved. So, what was it that was being spoken? It was a supernatural empowering that enabled the believers to speak in languages they did not know. Now, this is interesting to me because the Bible shows us that every man who was there observing each individual heard the entire crowd speaking in his own language. This demonstrates to me, and helps me conclude, that the gift of tongues in this specific portion of scripture was actually supernaturally empowered on the hearer’s end. This was a demonstration of God’s power to unbelievers. Acts chapter 2, verse 13 says, «But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, 'They are just drunk; that’s all.'» Some of the people there did not hear the believers speaking in their own languages, which is why they thought they were drunk; they likely heard them speaking in gibberish. So again, this demonstrates to us that the supernatural empowerment took place on the hearer’s end. But either way, one of the expressions of the gift of speaking in tongues is this supernatural ability to speak in unknown earthly dialects, whether it is on the speaker’s end or on the hearer’s end. This gift manifests power and, again, is a sign to unbelievers. 1st Corinthians chapter 14, verse 22 says, «So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign not for believers but for unbelievers.» So that is the first expression of the gift of speaking in tongues: it’s the proof tongue— that supernatural ability to speak in unknown earthly languages. But number two is the prophetic tongue. We see this in 1st Corinthians chapter 14, beginning at verse 26. «How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most three, and that by course, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.» That’s 1st Corinthians chapter 14, verses 26 through 28. So, what is this expression of the gift of speaking in tongues? It is a gift that is used in a public setting. The prophetic expression of the gift of speaking in tongues commands the attention of believers assembled in a church service. So how does this look? Well, the Bible says that everything is to be done for edification. So, in a church service, if someone were to stand up and interrupt the entire service by praying in tongues, and the purpose is to edify the believers, then that tongue must be interpreted by the gift of interpretation. Let all things be done in an orderly manner. The Bible goes on to say if there is no interpreter, it is out of order. But if there is no interpreter, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it was the speaker’s fault; it is possible that the Holy Spirit would move someone to stand and pray in tongues, and then the Holy Spirit moved someone to interpret. The person who was supposed to interpret might not have obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit. So, just because someone stands and prays in a tongue without interpretation, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it was the fault of the one who obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit to stand and speak in tongues. Still, the Apostle Paul is writing that there must be order, especially when it comes to this expression of the gift of speaking in tongues. But this is a different expression of the gift of speaking in tongues because it demands interpretation. Now, we are going to read about the third expression of speaking in tongues, which is the personal tongue. Again, you are not going to find this lingo, or these terms, in the Bible; rather, you will see these expressions in the Bible, and I am giving them terms so that they stand out more clearly. So, number one, there’s the proof tongue— that is where an unknown language is spoken that is earthly, and the hearer hears the individual praying in tongues speaking in their own language. Number two is the prophetic tongue— this is that prophetic expression in a public assembly in a church service that is actually supposed to be accompanied by an interpretation. And number three, there is the personal tongue— this is your prayer language.