My Experience with Speaking in Tongues | Why I Left

Why did I give up speaking in tongues? In this personal Christian testimony and Bible study, I share the experiences, questions and New Testament passages that changed my understanding of the gift of tongues.

For years, I wanted to speak in tongues. I prayed for it, watched others and wondered whether something was missing in my spiritual life. If I truly had the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t I have the same experience?

My journey took me through idolatry, Scripture Union and Pentecostalism before I began examining my beliefs more closely through Scripture. The more I studied, the more questions I had about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts and what the early church actually practised.

In this video, I explain why I stopped and how studying the Bible helped me find confidence in following Jesus without feeling pressured to demonstrate a particular spiritual experience.

What does the Bible say about speaking in tongues? Were the tongues in Acts 2 recognisable human languages? Why did Cornelius’ household receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 10? What happened when Paul laid his hands on the disciples in Acts 19? And how should we understand Paul’s instructions about tongues and interpretation in 1 Corinthians 14?

These questions became central to my decision.

We look at the purpose of miraculous gifts, their connection to the apostles and the instructions governing their use in the church. I explain why Acts 8:14 to 19, Acts 19:6 and 2 Timothy 1:6 influenced my understanding of how spiritual gifts were received.

We also consider the order Paul required in Corinth: a limited number of speakers, one person speaking at a time, interpretation and silence when no interpreter was present. His instructions gave me a way to examine the practices I had witnessed.

If you have searched for “Is speaking in tongues biblical?”, “Do all Christians have to speak in tongues?”, “Speaking in tongues explained” or “What is the gift of tongues?”, I invite you to open your Bible and follow this study.

I know sincere Christians reach different conclusions about Pentecostal beliefs, baptism of the Holy Spirit and whether miraculous gifts continue today. I respect that sincerity. Here, I share my own conviction and the biblical reasons behind it, with an invitation to examine the passages carefully.

Bible passages discussed include Acts 2:4 to 11; Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3 to 4; Acts 8:14 to 19; Acts 10; Acts 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6; and 1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14.

Watch my related teaching, “Speaking in Tongues: What the New Testament Teaches”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hots1tqkVYc

Have you ever felt less spiritual because you did not speak in tongues? Which passage has most influenced your understanding of this subject? Share your experience or question in the comments, and please keep the conversation respectful.

Subscribe to Bible Inspiration & Truths for more Bible studies, Christian testimonies and discussions about New Testament Christianity. Share this video with someone who is studying speaking in tongues or asking questions about spiritual gifts.

Why I gave up speaking in tongues and what my journey away from charismatic practice taught me about scripture and faith.

I break down my re-evaluation of 1 Corinthians 12-14 to explain why I no longer believe this passage serves as an endorsement of speaking in tongues. Whether you are questioning your own charismatic background or simply interested in theological study, this analysis offers a clear look at how context shifts our understanding of biblical gifts. Understanding these verses is essential for anyone wrestling with religious deconstruction or theological clarity.

Subscribe for weekly theological breakdowns, and comment below if you have ever felt conflicted about spiritual practices you were taught as a child.

00:00 My Journey with Speaking in Tongues
00:41 Introduction: A Personal Testimony
01:13 My Background in Ancestor Worship
01:59 Scripture Union and My Desire for Spiritual Gifts
03:24 Pentecostalism and Learning to Speak in Tongues
05:12 What I Believed Speaking in Tongues Would Do
06:05 How Studying the Bible Changed My Perspective
07:49 Speaking in Tongues in Acts 2
10:18 Cornelius’ Household and the Disciples at Ephesus
10:51 Tongues of Men and Angels: Understanding Corinthians
12:02 Paul’s Rules for Speaking in Tongues
13:34 The Gift, Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit
16:56 Does Speaking in Tongues Confuse the Devil?
18:44 Five Questions to Test Speaking in Tongues
21:43 Why I Gave Up Speaking in Tongues
23:02 Speaking the Truth in Love and Closing Thoughts


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