Part 2

Why did God choose “tongues” as the sign that a person has been filled with His Spirit?  

The Bible says that although the tongue is a very small member, like a bit in a horse’s mouth or the tiny rudder on a great ship, the tongue can control our whole body. 

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth." - James 3:2-4  

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." - James 3:5-6  

The Bible says that no man can tame the tongue – that it is “an unruly evil” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: “that can not be restrained”) defiling the whole body. 

"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." - James 3:7-8  

It makes sense that God would choose the seeming impossible, taking control and taming our tongue, to show that with Him all things are possible. To allow God to take control of our tongue, changing our words into words we don’t know the meaning of, takes on our part, a big step of faith and trust. 

When we give God full control in our life, we can receive His Holy Ghost.  

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39  

When we speak in tongues, it is the sign that we have allowed God to fill us with His Spirit. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4  

When we speak in tongues as the Spirit gives us the utterance, we are allowing God to tame our tongue that is an “unruly evil” and that no man can tame. Tongues are a sign that we are surrendering our whole self to Him, the tongue being the last to surrender. 

To be continued…