1 Corinthians 12:1 | NKJV (1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
The word “gifts” was added by the translators. This verse actually says,
1 Corinthians 12:1 | BBE (1) But about the things of the spirit, my brothers, it is not right for you to be without teaching.
Benefits of Praying In Tongues
- Tongues is primarily for a believer’s own personal, spiritual edification.
1 Corinthians 14:4 | NKJV (4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Jude 1:20 | NKJV (20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- You can’t edify people unless you have first been edified.
- God has given us this divine means by which we can speak directly to Him supernaturally.
1 Corinthians 14:2 | AMP (2) For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
- Praying in other tongues is praying in line with God’s perfect will.
Romans 8:26-27 NKJV (26) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Underline or circle “helps” and “intercession”.
Helps – (Greek: sunantilambano) – three separate words which mean: The Holy Ghost in conjunction and partnership with us, becomes so enraged against whatever is causing us difficulties, He takes it personally upon Himself.
What – (Greek: ti) – the very little thing. It underscores that we don’t even know how to necessarily pray for the small things not to mention the larger issues in life. We are so limited in our view but He can see it ALL.
Ought (Greek: dei)– as the new situation requires and dictates, as the new problem demands.
Intercession – (Greek: huperentugchano) – this is the only time that this word is used in the entire New Testament.
This word paints the picture of someone who has come upon someone who has fallen into some kind of quandary. It would be as if someone has fallen into a deep cavern and is stuck. There is someone who immediately swings into action to rescue and deliver the one who is in trouble. It conveys the idea of a full scale rescue operation.
When we do not know how we should pray for that situation, the Holy Spirit swings into a full-scale rescue operation. But in order to do this, He falls into that place with you. Now you are no longer facing that situation alone, for the Holy Spirit has stepped into your dilemma and is initiating a rescue plan to get you out of that mess!
The Holy Spirit feels everything that you feel. He understands the complete inadequacy you are experiencing. He willingly joins you in your circumstances sharing your emotions and frustrations. Then He begins to put a supernatural plan of rescue into operation to get you out of that problem.
Romans 8:26-27 | TPT (26) And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words. (27) God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny.
- Your weaknesses do not disqualify you from His help, they qualify you for His help.
More Benefits of Praying In Tongues
- Speaking in other tongues helps us to stay aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence.
John 14:16 | TPT (16-17) And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you. The world won’t receive him because they can’t see him or know him. But you will know him intimately, because he will make his home in you and will live inside you.
The ability to pray in other tongues proves the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence because one cannot pray in tongues unless the Spirit gives the utterance.
Acts 2:4 | NKJV (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
When we are more aware of His presence, we are less likely to yield to our flesh.
Romans 8:5 | AMPC (5) For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.
- Praying in other tongues makes us more aware of and sensitive to spiritual things.
- Praying in other tongues will stimulate your faith.
Stimulate – encourage development and increase activity
Jude 1:20 | NKJV (20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Faith does not come by praying in the Spirit. It grows as we feed it on the Word of God and exercise our faith.
How does it stimulate our faith? The very act of praying in other tongues requires faith.
Our faith is activated because we must trust the Holy Spirit for the next utterance that we speak as we pray in other tongues.
- Praying in other tongues gives spiritual refreshing.
Isaiah 28:11-12 | NKJV (11) For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, (12) To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing…”
There is a rest and refreshing that is available to us through praying in the Spirit. As we know, sometimes rest is what we need to get well of what is ailing or troubling us.
- Praying in other tongues will help you get your tongue under control.
James 3:6-8 | NKJV (6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (7) For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. (8) But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James did not say that the tongue could not be tamed or brought under control. James said that no man can tame the tongue.
Some have trouble controlling the parts of our flesh that get us in trouble sexually, but actually God is more concerned about you taming the tongue because it can cause more damage. If you can control the tongue, you are able to get the other parts under control.
James 3:2 | NKJV (2) For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
- Praying in other tongues will aid you in worshipping, praising, and magnifying God.
Acts 10:45-46 NKJV (45) And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God…
The Greek word for “magnify” means to make great or enlarge.
By praying in the Spirit, we make God bigger in our thinking of Him. (God does not get bigger but He becomes bigger to us.)
Acts 10:46 | TPT (46) for they heard them speaking in supernaturally given languages and passionately praising God.
We need to develop a vocabulary of worship from the Word of God in our known tongue.
Worshipping in the Spirit is a powerful thing that God gives us because sometimes you run out of what to say in your known language.
This will cause us to become intimately aware of the presence of God on an ongoing basis.
Ephesians 5:18-19 NKJV (18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4 | NKJV (1) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We want to talk about how to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. This will also help us as believers to learn how to effectively minister the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- This ministry of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience after being Born Again.
Acts 8:5-8 | NKJV (5) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. (6) And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (7) For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. (8) And there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:14-17 | NKJV (14) Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, (15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (16) For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- God has already given the Holy Spirit and we simply receive God’s free gift.
Acts 8:14-17 | NKJV (14) Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, (15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (16) For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Just like salvation, the Holy Spirit is a gift given to men and must be received.
- The only requirement to being able to receive this experience is to be Born Again.
Acts 2:37-38 | NKJV (37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that people that are saved can go to heaven. If they are good enough to go to heaven, then they are good enough to have a little bit of heaven in them here on the earth.
Baby Christians, carnal Christians, and all Christians can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit. They can receive power that will help them. (Acts 1:8)
- You do not need to fear receiving anything other than the Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:11-13 | NKJV (11) If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? (12) Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? (13) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Notice Jesus’ reference to the serpent and scorpion. Remember He had just said in Luke 10:19 that we have authority over serpents and scorpions. When you ask to receive the Holy Spirit that is exactly what you will get – the Holy Spirit.
- When you receive, you yield to the Holy Spirit and you do the speaking.
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman, and He will never force you to do anything. Jesus said He leads and guides us.
Acts 2:4 | NKJV (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-46 | NKJV (44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God…
Acts 19:6 | NKJV (6) And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
1 Corinthians 14:18 | NKJV (18) I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
- When you pray and receive the Holy Spirit, open your mouth and be ready to use your mouth and vocal chords.
- The Holy Spirit will give you the utterance but you must yield and give voice to that utterance. Anytime you ever speak with other tongues, it will definitely be you doing the talking.
- He does not take over you or force you to speak.
- The Holy Ghost does not speak in tongues – YOU DO!
- Speaking in tongues is entirely you and it is entirely the Holy Spirit.
Try not to speak in your natural language but give voice and speak out whatever utterance is given by the Holy Spirit no matter what it may sound like to you.
Speak the utterance that you hear by faith and the more that you speak it forth, the more fluent it will become.
John 7:37-39 NKJV (37) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
- Tongues is the initial evidence that you have been filled with the Holy Spirit and that evidence is mostly for you.