6 Reasons You Should Speak in Tongues (And How It Transforms Your Faith)

Excerpted from Breaking Open the Fountain of Your Deep.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (Acts 1:5).

We’re about to dive into something crucial for every believer to understand and experience.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit isn’t just some theological concept or historical event—it’s a living reality that can transform your life and ministry in ways you’ve never imagined.

In the previous chapters, I shared my personal journey of being baptized in the Holy Spirit and how it revolutionized my walk with God. That experience wasn’t just a one-time emotional high but the beginning of a lifelong journey of walking in the power of the Spirit. Now let’s dive deeper into understanding this transformative experience that Jesus promised to all His followers.

When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He pointed to a new dimension of spiritual experience that would revolutionize their lives and ministries. This wasn’t just a gentle sprinkling or a symbolic ritual—this was a total immersion into the power and presence of God Himself.

The Significance of Baptism

Now, let’s break this down. The word baptize comes from the Greek word baptizo, which means to immerse, submerge, or overwhelm. When John baptized people in water, he fully immersed them, symbolizing a complete cleansing and a new beginning.

But Jesus promised something even greater—a baptism in the Holy Spirit. This isn’t about replacing water baptism, which is still important as an act of obedience and public declaration of faith. No, this is an additional baptism that immerses us in God’s very power and presence.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matthew 3:11).

John the Baptist understood that his ministry was just a precursor to something far greater. The baptism Jesus brings isn’t just with water but with the Holy Ghost and fire! This fire speaks of purification, passion, and power—everything we need to live effective lives for God’s Kingdom.

The Day of Pentecost: The Initial Outpouring

We’ve already examined the events of Pentecost in our last chapter, but let’s revisit them with a focus on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they experienced this baptism that Jesus had promised.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4).

Notice the powerful imagery here—a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire. This wasn’t some quiet, internal experience. It was a dramatic, tangible encounter with the power of God. And the immediate result? They began to speak in other tongues.

The Initial Evidence: Speaking in Tongues

This brings us to a crucial point—speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. This isn’t just a Pentecostal doctrine, it’s a biblical pattern repeated throughout the book of Acts.

Let’s look at a few examples:

1. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4) - We’ve already seen this.

2. The Samaritan Believers (Acts 8:14-17) - While tongues aren’t explicitly mentioned here, something visible and dramatic must have occurred for Simon the sorcerer to want to buy this power.

3. Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:17) - Paul later confirms that he spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18).

4. Cornelius and His Household (Acts 10:44-46) - “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”

5. The Ephesian Disciples (Acts 19:6) - “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

In these instances, we see the Holy Spirit falling on believers, often accompanied by speaking in tongues. This isn’t a coincidence. God established a pattern to provide a clear, tangible sign of the Spirit’s infilling.

The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

I know some of you might be thinking, Hank, why tongues? What’s the purpose of this gift? Well, I’m glad you asked! Speaking in tongues isn’t just some spiritual party trick. It serves several crucial purposes in the life of a believer:

Prayer and Intercession

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2).

When we pray in tongues, we speak directly to God, uttering mysteries that bypass our limited understanding. This form of prayer allows the Holy Spirit to intercede through us with perfect accuracy.

Personal Edification

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Praying in tongues builds us up spiritually. It’s like a spiritual workout that strengthens our inner man and increases our spiritual capacity.

Spiritual Warfare

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14).

Praying in tongues engages our spirit in warfare, even when our mind doesn’t understand what’s being said. It’s a powerful weapon against the enemy’s schemes.

Praise and Worship

…I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Speaking and singing in tongues allows us to praise God beyond the limitations of our natural language.

A Sign to Unbelievers

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe (1 Corinthians 14:22).

When unbelievers witness the gift of tongues in operation, especially with interpretation, it can be a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s power.

Breaking Open the Fountain of Your Deep

Let’s tie this back to our overarching theme of breaking open the fountain of your deep. When we’re baptized in the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in tongues, we’re tapping into a spiritual reservoir within us that we may not have even known existed.

Remember what Jesus says? “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).

Speaking in tongues is like breaking open a dam, allowing these rivers of living water to flow freely. It’s accessing the depths of our spirit and releasing the power of God in and through our lives.

I can’t emphasize this enough—when you pray in tongues, you’re breaking open spiritual fountains. You’re releasing God’s Spirit’s flow in ways beyond your natural understanding or abilities.

Overcoming Obstacles to Receiving

I know you may be thinking, But Hank, I’ve sought the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and nothing’s happened. Let me encourage you—don’t give up! Sometimes, there are obstacles we need to overcome:

1. Lack of Teaching: Many believers simply haven’t been taught about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. That’s why teaching on this topic is so crucial.

2. Fear or Doubt: Some fear the unknown or doubt that God wants to give them this gift. Remember, it’s a promise for all believers!

3. Pride: Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, making us unwilling to yield control of our tongue to the Holy Spirit.

4. Unconfessed Sin: While we don’t need to be perfect to receive the Holy Spirit, unconfessed sin can hinder our spiritual sensitivity.

5. Lack of Yielding: Receiving the gift of tongues requires us to step out in faith and yield our speech to the Holy Spirit.

If you face any of these obstacles, I encourage you to bring them before the Lord. He’s faithful to meet you where you are and lead you into this deeper experience with Him.

If you’re seeking to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues for yourself, I’ve prepared a special, step-by-step guide in my book. Turn to “How to Be Filled with the Empowerment of the Holy Spirit” where I walk you through the practical process of receiving this life-changing gift. Remember, God desires to fill you with His Spirit even more than you desire to be filled! Take some time right now to ask Him to help you as you reference these steps and open yourself to receive all He has for you.

Because the Holy Spirit is God’s very personal gift to you! Look at it from a kid’s perspective at Christmas or their birthday when a gift is set in front of them. They’re not going to think about it all day and just let the gift sit there without even wanting to touch it because they might not be worthy to receive it. They want to rip it open and receive the gift inside! We need to be that way with the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Too many times I’ve heard people say they’re not worthy to receive, or they try to figure it out in their heads and then put it aside. But according to Acts chapter 2, it’s a gift and we just need to trust God and receive and open our mouths and let the Holy Spirit speak through us.

Living in the Flow

Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is not the end goal—it’s just the beginning! It’s meant to be a gateway into a life lived in the continual flow of God’s Spirit. Paul encourages us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), using a Greek tense that implies continuous action. We must be continually filled, yielding to the Spirit’s work in our lives.

The following are some practical ways to maintain this flow:

1. Daily Prayer in the Spirit: Make praying in tongues a regular part of your devotional life.

2. Worship in the Spirit: Incorporate singing and worship in tongues into your personal and corporate worship times.

3. Listen for the Spirit’s Voice: Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading throughout your day.

4. Step Out in Faith: Be ready to use your spiritual gifts, including tongues and interpretation, as the Spirit leads.

5. Stay in the Word: The Holy Spirit and the Word of God work hand in hand. Stay grounded in Scripture to discern the Spirit’s voice accurately.