Let God be true and every man a liar. It is your choice to believe in Gods Word or not! The devil is a liar. 1 Realize that speaking in tongues was promised by Jesus and was to accompany belief: And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name ...; they will speak in new tongues; Mark 16:17 (Jesus). 2 Realize that it is the Holy Spirit which gives the words which you speak and not you yourself: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 3Understand that when you speak in tongues you are talking to God: -- even though occasionally it may be understood by someone as a human language as it was at Pentecost. Its principle purpose is for talking to God. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2) 4 Use speaking in tongues to edify yourself or build yourself up spiritually. This is not a selfish thing, but rather the purpose is that when you are built up in the your spirit then you can build up or encourage others. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4 5 Dont expect to understand what you are saying. You have control over the volume and the speed at which you speak but not the content, for example as prayer language: For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians14:14 6 When in private, use speaking in tongues as much as you can. Paul appreciated the benefit of speaking in tongues; thats why he said, I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 1 Corinthians 14:18 7 When in public it is much better to speak in the language of the region in order to benefit those you are speaking to. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 8 Understand that when you pray in tongues you give thanks well: and that you bless with the Spirit, but again it is meant for private use -- as it does not help others who cant understand what youre saying 1 Corinthians 14:16-17 9 Be assured that when you speak in tongues youre not saying anything bad about God or our Lord Jesus Christ: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 12:3 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. Zephaniah 3:9 10 Understand that speaking in tongues is defined as praying in the Spirit:, and that we should pray both in the Spirit (tongues) and in the understanding (your natural language). 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 11 Pray in the Spirit (tongues) to build yourself up in your faith. Jude 20 Appreciate Speaking in Tongues Step 12.jpg 12 Understand that praying in the Spirit is part of the armour of God: and we are told to put on the whole armour of God Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:18 13 Understand that speaking in tongues was prophesied by Isaiah: in the Old testament as a sign of the rest. Isaiah 28:11, 1 Corinthians14:21, Matthew 11:28-30 14 Understand what it means when the Bible says Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.: (1Corinthians14:22) This is not a contradiction to when Jesus said believers would speak in tongues as a sign. Think about what a sign is. Your home town may have a sign at the entry saying Welcome to my town and also local street signs to help you find your way around; this is very helpful for a first time visitor, but if you live there -- then you no longer need the sign -- because you know that you live there and know your way around. However, the signs remain, and you wouldnt want to take them down. This is similar to speaking in tongues. Once you know you have it, it is no longer a sign -- but for someone about to enter in, it is a sign. 15Remember that when using speaking in tongues or even talking about it you should be aiming to edify others: and that it must be done in the context of love. 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 13:1 16 Understand that there is a procedure for speaking in tongues in a church meeting: Dont all speak in tongues at once, but instead only up to 3 people can use speaking in tongues in any meeting and each one should then operate the manifestation of interpretation of tongues, given to us by God . Everything should be done decently and in order (with courtesy for example) and tongues should not be forbidden from meetings. 1 Corinthians 14:23-27 and 39-40 Ad Consider really giving Speaking in tongues a good try out. Many people have found that after praying in tongues for extended periods (many hours sometimes) that their prayers have been answered; God has revealed something to them; their desire to walk as a Christian has been increased -- or their desire to tell others about Jesus is increased and many other benefits. Dont worry if your tongue seems like just stammering or seems over repetitive. (Isaiah 28:11) The more you use and appreciate your prayer language, the more fluent it will become. If you havent used praying in tongues for a long time, and youre not sure whether you still have it, then seek the Lord to use it again. Jesus said that The Holy Spirit would abide with us forever. (John 14:16) So if you had it once, it will still be there. Speak clearly when you pray in tongues. Allow the Lord to fully use you. Let your mouth and tongue move as the Lord wants it to move and dont mumble. Praying in tongues with others (family, friends, etc.) who are also able to pray in tongues is a great blessing, if you know that there are going to be no visitors. You might pray in tongues with a non-tongues speaker (with their permission), if you tell them what youre going to do so that they are not surprised or freaked out. If you have not yet spoken in tongues and would like to, then read about how to receive the Holy Spirit as per The Bible for more information. Warnings The tongues were glorifying God -- but like Paul said, the explanation has to come in the language of understanding so that the others can benefit: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:19 Speaking in tongues was never meant for preaching The Gospel. Even at Pentecost where the tongues were understood by those listening, they werent understood by the speakers, and Peter had to explain what was going on in the common language. Why Pray in Tongues? By Mark Greenwood 2003 First let me say that love is more important than speaking in tongues. However this article is specifically about speaking in tongues in order to try and answer some of the genuine questions many people have about this gift. Let me also say that Ephesians chapter 4 is not talking about spiritual manifestation, the charisma gifts, which are endowed on believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit but rather Ephesians 4 is about the gifts of ministerial office given by Jesus Christ. Tongues of course is part of the gifts of the Spirit to believers. Why does the devil deride the use of this beautiful and most precious gift? Why does he undermine its use? Why does he copy it? Jesus said, “These signs shall follow those that have believed: in my Name they shall ---speak with new tongues” (Mark 16 v 17). This is one of several signs that may be used to witness to the believer. The Apostle Paul said, “Do all speak in tongues?” The answer is obviously no. (1 Corinthians 12 v 30) “I would that you all did speak in tongues”, (1 Corinthians 14 v 5) “I speak in tongues more than you all”. (1 Corinthians 14 v18) “Forbid not to speak with tongues”. (1 Corinthians 14 v 39) I think that this is one of the most beautiful gifts that the Holy Spirit has given the believer for his own personal edification and building up of his spirit. When a person is baptised in the Holy Spirit then the tongue is the vehicle that is used to release the expression of feeling that is building up like a river about to burst its dams. As the known language is inadequate to give the fullest expression of love, adoration and praise to God that is now flowing from the lips of the one baptised in the Spirit, then they naturally flow into speaking their praise in unknown languages. After their initial baptism, this “new tongue” or language is given the believer in order to exercise their spirit in private prayer, what Paul calls “praying with the spirit” (1 Corinthians 14 v 14-15). This praying with the spirit builds up the person in their spirit and can bring them to a place where they are praying “in the Spirit”. When the gift of tongues is used in the church where it is followed by an interpretation then the person operating the gift of tongues needs to be speaking from a place “in the Spirit”, and not just exercising themselves by speaking in tongues. To be “in the Spirit” is different from just praying in an unknown language (praying with the spirit). Praying in an unknown language can, however, bring us to a place of “praying in the Spirit” in an unknown language. The Apostle John said he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1 v 10). To be in the Spirit means to be in a place where everything else fades into the background. We are in the presence of God to hear what He is saying or to speak out the words which He would have us to speak. We are burdened to pray what the Spirit is saying, as we speak, the words of the Spirit flow through us ministering to all who hear or reaching the very throne of God as incense of intercession before the throne. Yes, it is our lips and our speech but the words are the words of the Spirit. Some confuse “praying with the spirit” with “praying in the Spirit”. They may happen together but there is a difference between their meaning. Praying with the spirit is praying with our spirit (notice the small “s”), praying in the Spirit is praying in the Holy Spirit (notice the capital “S”. Prayer is a general thing that a Christian does, praying for kings, those in authority and for people to be saved. Sometimes the Spirit of the Lord so burdens us that we intercede for someone in the power of the Spirit. This is praying in the Spirit. A person praying in the Spirit is not necessarily praying in tongues. Praying in the Spirit is part of our spiritual armour (Ephesians 6 v 18, Jude v 20). Where the gifts are used in the church and for the benefit of the church then prophesy is a greater gift as it edifies the assembly. When the church comes together for fellowship then the gifts are to be used for the edifying and the profit of the saints. On its own the gift of tongues will only edify the person using this gift (1 Corinthians 12 v 4) therefore it is better to prophecy in the assembly than speak in tongues. Where the gift of tongues is used in the church then it would seem that it is usually certain ones who get used in this gift, which is then followed by an interpretation. It is also certain ones that seem to be used in interpretation, in fact Paul says that if there isn’t an interpreter present (someone with the gift of interpreting), then let those who usually ministers to the assembly in tongues, be silent as far as the assembly goes. Let him speak to himself and God. How do we know that there is no interpreter present? Well, common sense and scripture say that if no one has interpreted after two or three messages in tongues then you have the witness that there is no interpreter present. Two or three witnesses are the required number in scripture to confirm anything. If there is an interpreter present then once again two or three interpretations will be sufficient to witness what God is speaking to the church. Paul says that in a church meeting messages in tongues should be limited to two or three in turn with one interpreter. This could mean that after three consecutive messages in tongues there needs to be an interpretation (if this doesn’t happen then others with the gift of tongues should be silent). It could also mean, let only one person interpret all the message, in turn, after each one has been given. Or, it could mean that only one person should interpret each message rather than several people interpreting the same message. This would allow for three different people being used to interpret three different messages in tongues. The prophets should also speak in turn. If someone seated gets a prophesy while one is speaking then the one speaking should be silent before the second one speaks. The prophets are also limited to two or three and the others should judge. To pray with the spirit to God when in a church meeting means to pray quietly without disturbing others. To pray loudly in tongues can cause offence and bring the gift into disrepute. When a message in tongues is given in the church it does not necessarily have to be interpreted word for word but the interpretation could be a response from God to the prayer in tongues of the saint. Paul himself said that “I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you, BUT, in the assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14 v 18-19). What he is saying here is that although he speaks in tongues more than all of them, when the assembly comes together he would rather speak in the language they understand. If he doesn’t speak in tongues to the assembly, yet speaks in tongues more than any of them, then it is obvious that he prays in tongues in his private times of prayer. So, there are four uses of this gift that I can think of. One is the initial release of expression in worship and praise to God that often happens when a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the second one is as a witness to the unbelievers who hear and know the language that is being spoken, the third is when it is used in the assembly of believers (along side the gift of interpretation of course), and the fourth is when it is used in private prayer between the person using it and God, rather than as a message for the whole assembly. So, we can understand the devil being so against this gift and so bent on destroying its use amongst Christians. But why do many Christians treat this gift with contempt? In his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14 v 5), Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says that he desires that all speak with tongues. If then it is Gods will and desire for all to speak in tongues, why do many reject and despise Gods will in this area? In the same chapter verse 39, Paul, still inspired by the Holy Spirit, says, do not forbid the speaking with tongues , yet some Christians, while not forbidding others to speak with tongues, refuse outright to allow themselves to speak in tongues. They knowingly, willingly and intentionally resist Gods will by refusing this gift for themselves. These are not to be confused with those who desire Gods will yet have not spoken in tongues. I do think that if a person desires to speak in tongues they should be baptised in the Holy Spirit first. These days there are many people who are speaking in tongues but they haven’t received the Spirit. They give a message in tongues to the church and there is no spiritual witness behind it. If someone give an interpretation this is also void of any spiritual witness. When someone is baptised in the Spirit they learn to distinguish between the flesh and spirit and between praying with the spirit and praying in the Spirit. As a person uses this gift between himself and God, he edifies himself. This gift that the Lord has given to believers is one of the ways that the Christian can exercise his spirit and so build himself up spiritually in his relationship with God. The word edify, which is used here by Paul in relation to tongues and the person using this gift (1 Corinthians 14 v 4) means, according to Vine, The act of building, the promotion of spiritual growth. Strongs concordance also says that it means to build up. Paul says that when we pray to God in tongues we are praying with our spirit (1 Corinthians 14 v 14-15). In other words we are exercising our spirit in prayer, building ourselves up in the spirit. However one of the greatest benefits and uses of this beautiful gift is in worshipping God (no wonder the devil hates it). The bible says that they who worship Him will worship Him in Spirit and Truth. How can we worship God in the Spirit unless it is also with our spirit? Anyone who has worshipped God with the use of the gift of tongues will also, with Paul, thank God for this gift. Paul says “I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing also with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14 v 15). To praise and worship God with the understanding is limited to our vocabulary. To bless Him with the spirit (in unknown tongues) gives us far greater expression of our love and adoration than which we humans are normally capable of. How can anyone tell God they don’t want it? When we are praying specific prayers of supplication we often dont know how we should pray. We dont know what the will of God is. However the Holy Spirit does. When we pray with the spirit and not with the understanding we are giving the Holy Spirit a channel to flow through in supplications according to the will of God. No wonder the devil opposes this gift. Now, we can see why Satan would knock this beautiful gift when it is used to build the believer up spiritually, and help him to worship God and intercede for the saints. Initially I believe that speaking in an unknown language is the evidence of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost . There is great advantage to the believer to speak in tongues with the interpretation. In addition to so many other blessings we receive when speaking in tongues.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 08:22:10 +0000
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