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Here is this apostle Paul who wrote a large part of the New Testament, started many churches, did miracles in Jesus' name, who was given revelation of mysteries that others did not know, etc. Why did he have to speak in tongues, and that too to such a great extent (1Co.14:18)?

Many intellectual Christians don't see any need of speaking in tongues and deride those who do. But Paul was certainly an intellectual of the highest class, and a scholar. He could have accomplished much with his knowledge and skills. Why did such a person resort to this 'questionable' practice?

Yet the fact is that not only did he speak much in unknown languages, but he also wished that everyone else did too (v.5). The reason is that he found it to be great for personal edification (v.4). He was not trying to impress anyone with this gift, and he avoided speaking in tongues in public (v.19). Even though there is clear instruction that unless there is an interpreter present, we should avoid speaking in tongues in public (v.28), many cannot resist the temptation to slip in some 'tongues' in the middle of their sermons or prayers! He was not satisfying himself that he too could speak in tongues, using some repetitive syllables. When he prayed in tongues, he did it in faith, not understanding what he was praying (v.14), but leaving it to the Holy Spirit to intercede, who knew the mind of God (Ro.8:26,27). Just think of how humbling it must have been for Paul to spend such a lot of time doing something he could not understand! But he continued to do it, believing that his prayers were bearing fruit in ways he could not see.

Compared to speaking in tongues, Paul desired that people should prophesy (1Co.14:5), aiming for the building up of others through exhortations and consolation (v.3). In ministering to the others, our aim should be to edify them, and by speaking in tongues privately, we can edify ourselves. Paul spoke in tongues a lot because he recognised he needed that edification for himself. He got connected with God through this act because it was done entirely by faith. There was no reward from people, and there was no intellectual satisfaction. He was entirely dependent on the Holy Spirit to give him utterance, interceding for things he had no idea about, and then he depended on the Father entirely for results. Many of us resist this idea altogether because it looks ridiculous to our mind, and also because of many counterfeit tongues people exhibit.

God may also give us some interpretation (v.13). The Spirit speaks through us mysterious things (v.2). God may reveal answers as we pray. He could give us words of knowledge or wisdom (1Co.12:8). This may be what we need for our situation or to help someone else. The more we recognise our limitations in every direction, the more we can learn to depend on God. This is one way we can put into practice such a total dependence on God, putting aside leaning on ourselves altogether.

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