In my previous blog post, I discussed the dangers of pride and ego in spiritual practices, using the Skaven from Warhammer Fantasy as an analogy. Just as the Skaven are driven by their ambition and fear, so too are many people in the Church today driven by pride, thinking that their spirituality is a tool for their own self-elevation rather than for the service of others. One of the most commonly misunderstood gifts is the gift of tongues. It has been misused and misrepresented in churches, often to feed ego, rather than building up the Body of Christ. This blog post aims to set the record straight, emphasizing the humility and service that are at the heart of the Holy Spirit's true gifts, especially the gift of tongues.
The True Nature of the Holy Spirit and the Gift of Tongues
The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit does not come to glorify us but to glorify Christ and build up His kingdom. The true gifts of the Spirit, including tongues, are not meant for personal gain or self-glorification, but to serve others, to comfort them, teach them, and help them grow in their relationship with God. This is where we see a stark contrast with the selfishness often displayed by some who use the gift of tongues to elevate themselves or draw attention to their own spirituality. The Holy Spirit is humble, always seeking to serve, never looking to feed our flesh or ego.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul provides instructions on how spiritual gifts should be used within the Church. When it comes to speaking in tongues, Paul is very clear:
if there is no interpreter present, then those who speak in tongues should remain silent (1 Corinthians 14:28).
This is not a suggestion—it is an instruction for order, clarity, and humility. The primary goal of speaking in tongues, or any spiritual gift, is to build others up, not to display one’s own spiritual prowess.
The Importance of Interpretation in Public Tongues
When speaking in tongues publicly, it is essential that someone interprets what is being said so that the congregation can benefit from it. Without an interpreter, there is no way for others to be edified, and the gift becomes meaningless in the public context. This instruction shows that the purpose of tongues is not to elevate the speaker but to help others. In fact, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:19 that “I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.”
I have witnessed firsthand how speaking in tongues without interpretation can be harmful and heard even more testimonies from others both here in Finland and aboard that once someone did understand the language spoken it was actually cursing God in either Greek or Russian.
I do know that sometimes it is real Holy Spirit too. In one Zoom meeting, I heard someone speak what seemed like a foreign language— I recognized it as Japanese. This person, in tongues, was conveying a message from the Lord about a coming change in the world and a new heart for the people. My Japanese is far from fluent, but I recognized enough to understand the significance of the message. This was a genuine example of tongues being used to build up and edify others, in line with biblical principles.
However, the same group later faced a troubling division. The person who had spoken the tongues left the group because of their connection to the prosperity gospel, a belief that focuses on material wealth and physical health as signs of spiritual success. This wasn’t the only troubling experience I had in church. Months later, I was bullied out of the group by a pastor who made outrageous claims, such as telling people that speaking about abuse or trauma gave access to demons. He went on to say that helping others heal and carry their burdens was unbiblical. He viewed himself as a demigod who could never be wrong, and when I questioned him or disagreed, I was kicked out.
This pastor’s actions reflect a disturbing trend I have seen in many churches: people who misuse the Bible to manipulate others, build themselves up, and make themselves appear as mighty men of God. They wield the Word of God like a weapon to control and dominate others, rather than using it to heal and restore. This mentality not only harms individuals but can also drive them away from God entirely.
The Danger of Ego and Abuse in the Church
The behavior I encountered in this church and with the pastor is an example of the kind of spiritual abuse that can occur when leaders fail to follow the humble example of Christ. The real gift of tongues is always meant to edify and build up others, not to glorify ourselves or manipulate others. The pastor I encountered saw himself as above reproach, and he used his position to bully others into submission. He ignored the call of Scripture to serve and to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Instead of helping people heal from trauma or emotional wounds, he added more shame, reinforcing the cycle of spiritual abuse. This is not in alignment with the teachings of Christ or the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
These abusive leaders often create cult-like environments, where their followers believe that the pastor or leader can do no wrong. This is exactly the opposite of what Paul teaches in the Bible. We are all fallible humans, and no leader is above reproach. Instead of seeking power and control, we are called to serve, to listen, to bear one another’s burdens, and to help others grow in their relationship with God.
It is painful to admit, but my experience in this situation is not unique. Many people have been spiritually manipulated and harmed by pastors who abuse their power. I have witnessed how these leaders allow their followers—often vulnerable individuals— to call people like me slurs, while they themselves use degrading language in their sermons and interactions with others. These actions are not just unbiblical; they are cruel, and they lead people away from the love of Christ.
How to Avoid Becoming Like These Leaders
If we want to avoid becoming like the abusive pastor I encountered, we need to return to the true meaning of the gifts of the Spirit. The gift of tongues is not meant to feed our ego or make us appear more spiritual than others. It is meant to build others up, to comfort, teach, and encourage. Every spiritual gift, whether tongues or prophecy, is a tool for service, not for self-glorification. The moment we allow our gifts to become about ourselves, we are stepping into dangerous territory. We are no longer following the path of humility that Jesus modeled for us.
Jesus, the greatest teacher and servant of all, used His power to heal, to restore, and to bring peace. He never used His authority to dominate or manipulate others. We must model our ministry and use of spiritual gifts after His example, always asking ourselves, “How can I serve others? How can I build up the Body of Christ?”
When we use our gifts in humility and love, we are participating in God’s Kingdom in the way He intended. Our focus should always be on helping others, not elevating ourselves. This is the heart of true biblical spirituality: selflessness, humility, and service.
Conclusion: Building Up, Not Elevating Ego
In conclusion, the true gift of tongues, like all spiritual gifts, is meant to serve and build up others, not to glorify ourselves. If we use our gifts with humility, in alignment with Scripture, they can become powerful tools to edify the Body of Christ and advance God’s Kingdom. But when we misuse them for selfish gain or to feed our ego, we are falling into the same trap as the Skaven, whose ambition drives them to destruction. Let us instead follow the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve, and use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us to build up, comfort, and teach others.
Let us remember the words of Paul in
1 Corinthians 13:1
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."
This warning is clear: if we speak in tongues or operate in any other spiritual gift without love, we are doing more harm than good. The true gift of tongues, like all spiritual gifts, must be exercised with love, humility, and a desire to serve others, building up the Body of Christ and glorifying God, not ourselves.
Most twisted person I met was some random guy a mouth ago trying to record me messages in tongues just to proof what "Holy Spirit" told him was from God.
The thing is, I know it most likely was not from God, for I know God doesn’t need me to see IRL faces of people who I pray for. He blocked me because I refused to have irl picture as a profile picture on Facebook and said unless he sees a picture of him his Holy Spirit cannot pray for me..
I testify that I witnessed so much abuse done by people who speak in tongues that I know just because one is speaking in tongues it doesn't make them good or godly, if anything if their whole identity as child of God and if their salvation is based upon only them being able to babble language no one in the room can understand they often are the ones most furtherst from God.
Real Ruach HaKodesh ‐ Holy Spirit doesn’t shout or yell. He is quiet and gentle tap on our shoulder to not seek how to please humans and seem big in the eyes of humans but how to be like a child, a little child in the eyes of God.
If we are like little children then we please our Father Yahweh the most.