Tongues of Men and of Angels

Tongues of Men and of Angels

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)

"Though I speak" makes a clear and simple statement that the Apostle Paul speaks in "tongues" and is addressing those who also practice this empowering gift of glossolalia.

His point, however, is that no matter how much one speaks in tongues and no matter how many tongues are spoken, even angelic ones, it is a useless pursuit if not an out flow of Love (charity = agape: God's uniquely distinctive kind of covenant Love).
We can preach our hearts out, we can speak "as the oracles of God," we can be the greatest orator of all time, we can see and speak into the spirit realm, but if we have not love, it is grating and irritating, entirely useless "hot air."

The key to receiving the power, the revelation, the benefit of praying in tongues is that of allowing yourself to walk in covenant love with your brethren and to extend the offer of it to the lost.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7 (KJV) 

God is Love (1 Joh. 4:8, 16). His very character is Love. To receive anything from Him is to receive an outflow of His Love. What I'm say is, that when we speak in tongues, it must be an outflow of the love that God shed abroad in our hearts in order for us to realize the benefit of speaking mysteries (Rom. 5:5).

The Word of God teaches us that a heavenly language is given so that, in the spirit, the believer can speak mysteries and be able to build himself up on his most holy faith as well as praise and magnify the Lord (1 Cor. 14:2, 4, Jude 1:20).

Love is the key that unlocks the heart of God and allows the believer to experience covenant blessing through tongues.