Psalm 81:10 English Standard Version (ESV) I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

At the end of yesterday’s blog, there is an image of God speaking through this open empty mouth. We would have nothing to say but the Lord using the moment would take over control of our speech.

Acts 2:4-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. ⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

The classic meaning of speaking in tongues is that the speaker is taken over by the Spirit to speak in a language that is not their own. If the Spirit was to give utterance in their native tongue because the audience ready to receive that utterance only spoke the native tongue, is that not the Spirit still speaking?

1 Corinthians 14:6 English Standard Version (ESV) Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Paul warned earlier in this chapter not to speak in tongues without someone present to interpret. The message must be understood to benefit the church. The Spirit with all wisdom will utter the Word of God with understanding, even if the native tongue is to be used.

V4a “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself,” of what benefit does the church receive in that? Paul is very clear that the purpose of Spirit utterances, no matter the language, is to benefit the church.

You have questions and rightly so.