Why Should We Pray in Tongues? - February 12, 2017 - Steve Miller
The past three weeks we've been focusing on declaring the Word. Today we're going to be reminded about a different aspect of declaring the Word that we don't always think of in that respect.
Recently the Lord encouraged me: "You don't know the edification and the fruitfulness that comes from praying in tongues. You are a man (We are a congregation) who loves the Word. My Word flows like a fountain when you pray in tongues."
Acts 2:4 - All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 19:6
When we speak in tongues, who is speaking?
- It's a cooperative effort. When we speak in tongues we are declaring the Word of God. The words we speak are just the right ones, for they come from the Holy Spirit, our Helper.
So when we speak in tongues, just what are we speaking?
- 1 Corinthians 14:1-2 - Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
· When we speak in tongues, we speak to God.
· Strong's: mustérion: a mystery, secret; in the NT: the counsels of God, once hidden but now revealed in the Gospel or some fact thereof; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation.
· HELPS Word-studies: mystḗrion – mystery. In the Bible, a "mystery" is not something unknowable. Rather, it is what can only be known through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it.
- John 16:12-15 - 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
· According to Jesus, one of the Holy Spirit's main purposes is to reveal truth to us.
- It's reasonable to ask the Spirit to give you interpretation or understanding of the things you pray in tongues.
- It's definitely prayer, or communication with God.
- It can be thanksgiving and praise to God.
- It can be used in intercession.
- Ephesians 6:14 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
- David Pytches, in his book Spiritual Gifts in the Local Church, explains that the Bible shows at least three different types of the gift of tongues:
1. The use of tongues where utterance is not understood by the speaker, but overheard by members of the public, and, without interpretation, understood by those whose own language it is. This is tongues used as a sign, like happened in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
2. The use of tongues in public worship.
3. The use of tongues in private which needs no interpretation, though apparently this could be asked for.
What are the benefits or fruit of praying in tongues?
- 1 Corinthians 14:4 - The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself
· You are built up, or edified (as in building a house), when you pray in tongues.
· Jude 20 - But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit
How can I receive my prayer language in tongues or become more fluent in using it?
- Bob Heil's testimony of his struggle to learn to use his prayer language from his book Lessons From the Furnace (p. 39-42)
- 1 Corinthians 14:5a - Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy.
- 1 Corinthians 14:18 - I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
- Jeremiah 29:13-14a - 13"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity."
- Luke 11:13 - "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
- Basically, to receive the gift of tongues we should sincerely ask for it. It's a good thing, and Jesus is encouraged us to believe confidently that our Father will give us the Holy Spirit and the good gifts that He may bring. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:31: "But earnestly desire the higher gifts," and as we read earlier, 1 Corinthians 14:1 echoes: "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts."
- If you've never prayed in tongues, what should you expect? Does the Holy Spirit possess you and you start speaking uncontrollably? No, it's generally a cooperative effort. Acts says that "they spoke in tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
- We need to yield to the Holy Spirit. John Bevere uses the imagery of wading into a gentle river or creek. You can fight to stand up straight and not be moved by the current, or you can relax, yield to it, and let it carry you along.
Take advantage of your advantage.
- John 16:7 - 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
