Speaking in tongues is one of those mysteries that people either embrace with reverence or dismiss as confusion. Dr. Malachi Z. York addressed this in What is Speaking in Tongues?, offering clarity from a Nuwaubian perspective.
The modern church often teaches that “tongues” are a divine language or a sudden spiritual gift that descends on the believer. But Dr. York reminds us that true tongues are simply languages. In the early days of the disciples, speaking in tongues meant communicating in different human languages so that the message could be understood by all nations. It wasn’t a chaotic babble; it was an act of communication, a breaking of barriers between people .
Over time, religions have twisted this meaning. What many call “tongues” today—sounds without clarity—was not the original gift. Instead of opening understanding, it often leads to confusion. And confusion, Dr. York teaches, is not of divine origin. The scriptures themselves state that the Creator is not the author of confusion.
From a Nuwaubian lens, we see that real language has power, vibration, and frequency. Words carry sound that can heal, uplift, or even damage. This ties into Dr. York’s broader teachings on the science of sound and right reasoning. When you speak a true language, you’re not only exchanging words—you are transmitting energy.
Speaking in tongues, then, is not about losing yourself in noise. It is about aligning with the science of sound, accessing ancient languages, and reconnecting with the divine order. This restores communication between people and with the Eloheem, rather than creating separation.
To bring it home—speaking in tongues is really about knowledge. It is about remembering the true languages of our ancestors, not being trapped in belief or superstition. Dr. York warns that when people abandon understanding for emotional display, they slip into the very confusion that was used to enslave their minds.
So the next time you hear someone claim the spirit made them “speak in tongues,” ask yourself: does it bring clarity, or confusion? Does it connect you with truth, or drown you in noise? Real tongues are languages. Real tongues are keys. And as Dr. York taught, the key to freedom is right knowledge, right wisdom, and right overstanding.