He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.(1 Cor. 14:4)
2. Speaking to God divine secrets
For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Cor. 14:2)
3. Speaking the wonderful works of God
And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
(Acts. 2: 7-11)
4. Magnifying God
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. (Acts 10:46)
5. Praying perfectly
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Rom. 8:26-27)
6. Giving thanks well
For if [you] pray in a tongue...You indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. (1 Cor. 14:17)
7. Having the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God... (Rom. 8:16)
8. Knowing you are a joint-heir with Christ
And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that
we may also be glorified together. (Rom. 8:17)
9. Strengthens you with might in your inner man
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. (Eph. 3:16)
10. A sign to unbelievers
Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. (1 Cor. 14:22)
11. A rest and refreshing to the soul
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. (Isa. 28:11-12)
12. Brings a message from God or for God to the people (when interpreted)
Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened]. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. (v.13)
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
(1 Cor. 14:5, 13, 27-28)
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