The issue of tongues-speaking has been a debate in Christendom for centuries. Some churches believe that speaking in tongues isn’t about speaking words no man understands. Others believe it is a primary way God speaks to His people in this generation. But the question is, what is the truth? For me, I don’t believe people should follow church doctrines just because they are laid out, but to seek God, study His Word and know the truth for their own lives. This article isn’t mainly about justifying tongues-speaking as a doctrine, but as a way God has ordained to speak to His people. Isaiah 28:11 says,
“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,” – Isaiah 28:11 (NKJV)
God speaks to His people
In a generation of many voices, many believers struggle with discerning God’s voice. I thought Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (see John 10:27). So why are believers struggling to hear Him? It’s such a tragedy in this generation.
However, according to Isaiah 28:11, it is written that God will speak to His people through stammering lips and another tongue. At the time that prophecy came, Jesus wasn’t yet born. So, the prophet referred to our day, where the Holy Spirit lives in each believer, making it possible for every believer to access God directly. I’m glad to say that today, you can also hear God and know Him for yourself once you are a Christian.
Yes, there are categories of tongues-speaking. But with all of them, it is the Spirit that gives the utterance, not man (see Acts 2:4). I speak in tongues, but I don’t form the words in my mind. It’s not even possible for me to do that. I can’t impress God by creating my own tongues speaking works. No! Let’s look at what “stammering lips” and “another tongue” mean in Isaiah 28:11.
Stammering lips
Have you seen a stammerer before? Such a person can’t speak continually for long, their words aren’t articulate, and they usually struggle to speak fluently. It’s tragic, but God can heal you if you battle it. Just keep praying and keep talking. God will show up in your case.
The scripture doesn’t say God will speak to His people when they stammer. No! Instead, when the Spirit fills them to communicate with the Almighty, stammering lips indicate that He is talking to them. That is especially common among believers who receive the baptism of the Spirit freshly. Such believers aren’t so articulate to discern God’s speaking so fast. So God starts from there. Then, with consistency in prayer, they grow to speak in another tongue, which I will talk about next.
Another tongue
This is where the debate about tongues-speaking heightens in Christendom. As I’ve written earlier, there are categories of tongues speaking according to the New Testament scriptures, such as 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14, Acts 2:4, and 1 Corinthians 13:1. I wrote an entire article about them on our ministry website. You can read it with this link.
However, the central aspect of this article is to teach you that God speaks when you speak in tongues. Tongues speaking helps you connect deeper to God, and it’s a very powerful way of silencing every distraction around you as you pray. God, having seen that your connection with Him in prayer is well established, will speak. Just be aware of His presence and remain silent as He speaks. Also, remember to write down the things God tells you so you won’t forget.
You’re a blessing.