Glossolalia is biblical. Uttering what sounds as gibberish and making crazy sounds is all biblical. I know it may be hard to believe but I will do my best to help you understand.
I do practice glossolalia; I have first-hand experience.
What the Bible says about Glossolalia
In the Bible, glossolalia is called speaking in tongues. Actually, people who practice glossolalia call it speaking in tongues, praying in tongues or praying in the spirit.
Glossolalia feels too carnal of a name to give to a gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is very clear about glossolalia. The practice is mentioned in different places in the Bible.
From experience, I know that many people who doubt if glossolalia is biblical do so because of how it sounds. I must admit that even though I practice it, there have been times when I heard people practicing it and I doubted their authenticity.
Thankfully, the doubts I had led me to investigate and today you also get to know the findings.
1. Biblical Glossolalia is a Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Bible clearly mentions glossolalia as a gift of the Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians 12. Though the Bible calls it speaking in tongues, it is basically the same thing.
Some people argue that glossolalia is different from speaking in tongues since speaking in tongues involves real human languages. But I must tell you that speaking in tongues and glossolalia is exactly the same thing.
The gift is diverse and it is the diversity that makes people assume the two are different. Even among those who practice, some claim that speaking in tongues is different from praying in tongues.
But from experience, I know the difference is English. It is the same gift.
2. Biblical Glossolalia cannot be understood by People
When you hear someone babble syllables that you don’t understand, that is exactly what glossolalia is. In 1st Corinthians 14:2, the Bible states that whoever practices glossolalia speaks to God and no man understands him.
What sounds gibberish to us has a meaning to God. The Bible says that whatever someone utters is a mystery. This clearly shows that glossolalia does not necessarily have to be known human languages.
This also shows that it is not necessary for glossolalia to be understood or interpreted.
3. Biblical Glossolalia can be Known Languages
The Bible hints to us that glossolalia can be real human languages from the incident on the day of Pentecost. However, it must be noted that the Bible does not say glossolalia must be known human languages.
The scripture in 1st Corinthians 14:2 is the evidence.
For the time I have been practicing glossolalia, I have not spoken in a real human language or maybe I did but I didn’t know. However, I witnessed someone speak a foreign language (Yoruba) she didn’t know.
How did I know it was Yoruba?
The visiting pastor was the only Yoruba in the church and he told us.
That girl who spoke Yoruba also did the usual babbling that everyone in the church was doing.
At least that shows that glossolalia is not fixed to be real human languages.
Biblical Empty Glossolalia
If you have doubts about the babbling you hear in churches, you are not wrong. The Bible mentions that glossolalia can be empty babbling.
In 1st Corinthians 13:1, Apostle Paul writes that if he had the ability to speak in the tongues of men and angels but didn’t have love, he would be like a clanging cymbal or a resounding gong.
I do practice glossolalia but I have to admit that some of the babbling that happens in churches is empty. Definitely, not all of it is empty but it happens.
How do I know?
Simple…
When someone babbles in tongues but has no fruit of the Spirit, you know. It is exactly what Apostle Paul talks about in the Bible.
Glossolalia is meant to be a complementary gift; it perfects the fruit of the Spirit. When it is used for any other purpose, it becomes an idol and obviously detestable in the eyes of God.
It is more like the Old Testament sacrifices; they only made sense if the person offering them had a repentant heart.
I can’t say what percentage of people who practice glossolalia babble empty syllables but I can’t deny the existence of empty glossolalia.
What does this mean?
Just because some people who practice glossolalia speak empty syllables doesn’t mean that the gift is empty. I have experienced great power while practicing the gift. I know it is as real as anything you can think of.
The point here is that you should prioritize having the fruit of the Spirit over practicing glossolalia. You please God when you manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Glossolalia is meant to help you make manifesting the fruit of the Spirit easier.
I am more prayerful because of glossolalia and being more prayerful has helped me live a life that manifests the fruit of the Spirit.
If you focus on the negative side of the gift, you will not benefit from it. I have had to overlook many people who babble empty syllables for me to get the power that the real gift has to offer.
It is this kind of attitude that enables you to enjoy the benefits of glossolalia. I received the gift four years after asking for it. God makes sure that you really want the gift before He gives it to you.
Is Glossolalia Biblical? Conclusion
I hope you have the answer now. However, the wise thing for you to do is to seek to have the genuine gift. Glossolalia is such a great gift.
If at all you are a serious believer in Jesus, you should have this gift. The Spirit of God is our helper in this era and He intercedes for us with groans that are too deep for words (Romans 8:26).
Which serious believer doesn’t want the Holy Spirit to pray through him? Yes, glossolalia may sound weird but that is the price you have to pay.
The disciples of Jesus were accused of being drunk when they spoke in tongues. It is not anything new.
If you start practicing glossolalia after reading this article, you will be the greatest beneficiary.
God bless!