Daily Devo
A Cautious Continuationist
By: John Carrigan
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2
Cessationists and continuationists have opposing views about prophecy, miracles, and tongues. Cessationists believe these gifts ceased with the Apostles, while continuationists believe they are still available to believers today. Neither belief is essential to our salvation! But there are a lot of misconceptions about spiritual gifts, especially tongues. I do know God is sovereign, and that means He will give us whatever gift He chooses. What really matters is our faith is in Jesus... He is our salvation, so we must keep our eyes on Him instead of arguing about spiritual gifts.
As a new believer, I attended a bible study and someone prayed in tongues. To me, it sounded fake. Another time, I heard someone pray in tongues and someone else interpreted it. But their "interpretation" was so vague and generic it sounded fake too. I believed in the gifts of the Spirit, but I was very leery of them due to what I had seen and heard.
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts... 1 Corinthians 12:31
The mental roadblock I had hampered my desire to pursue the gift of tongues. But over time, (and through sound teaching) I realized when the time is right, God will move us. Later, a friend introduced me to a teaching about the proper use of of tongues. It helped me overcome my doubts and it changed my life. Now, I understand that tongues is primarily a “private prayer language” we use to praise God. Our private prayer language doesn't require interpretation because God understands us!
Like me, maybe you've seen it used the wrong way, or maybe you just have doubts. Take a step of faith like I did and surrender those doubts to God. Then, if you eagerly desire to speak in tongues, ask God to give you that specific gift. I asked God for tongues, but I had no idea where to start. Someone told me to pray out loud and start praising God. Then they told me to repeat some of God's names over and over: Jehovah, Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai. This seemed to "loosen my tongue" and other words started to flow out. I didn't understand what I was saying, but I trusted I was praising God in a way He could understand.
But remember, Paul says not everyone will receive tongues, so don't get discouraged if you can't. We all have gifts, so find out what yours is and use it! Draw close to God and ask Him to use you to help expand His kingdom.