In an earlier post I answered a question about How to Filled with the Spirit. I had to clarify what that meant and mentioned I probably don’t hold a “classical” view of the doctrine of tongues held in some circles I’ve been a part of.
It was actually quite funny one day in seminary. I was the one always making pentecostal jokes. I only make fun of what I’m a part of, but I guess this one guy didn’t pick up on it. He had three guys from the pentecostal Bible school in a corner laughing at them because they were pentecostal.
I came up on them and he said to me, “Can you believe these guys thinks tongues are still for today?”
“Awesome” I replied. That stopped his laughter.
“I pray with them every day. What do you do to build yourself up?”
He walked away.
I know the power of praying in tongues daily. I’ve studied the Scriptures around speaking in tongues and can tell you what I know about it…
What is Speaking in Tongues?
- It’s a gift that builds us up.
- It’s a starter gift that launches us into greater gifts.
- It’s a powerful tool for strengthening us so that in turn we can strengthen others.
6 Things That Happen When We Speak in Tongues
When we speak in tongues we:
- Build ourselves up, (1 Corinthians 14:4, Jude 1:20),
- Speak to God directly without any pretense (1 Corinthians 14:2)
- Fulfill a command to pray in the Spirit on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18)
- Have words to continue praying when our words run out (Romans 8:25)
- Pray confidently knowing we intercede for others according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27)
- Have a sign for unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22)
When we pray in tongues it’s not like we shut down our minds and go into rote prayer. This can actually lead to unfruitful prayer. When we pray in tongues we need to be aware that our Spirit is communicating with God’s Spirit (See 1 Corinthians 14:14-15). It’s true that at times we may be establishing in prayer things that our mind cannot even grasp. In fact if our intellect could grasp the vastness of some of our prayers in the Spirit, we probably wouldn’t even believe what we are establishing in the Heavenlies.
However as we exercise this gift we can become a lot more aware of what we are praying in tongues for. We may even at times know exactly what we’re praying if we receive the gift of interpretation of tongues.
How to Pray for the Gift of Tongues
Ask for it. If you are a believer in Christ then you have the Holy Spirit within you. It’s your Inheritance. So:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Mat. 7:7)
Eagerly Desire it.
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit… 1 Corinthians 14:1
Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12
Step Out In Faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
I’ll explain these by going over how to overcome common obstacles.
How to Overcome Common Obstacles
What if I’m lead by the wrong Spirit?
Jesus said “…when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. (John 16:13-15)
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil,know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13)
I open my mouth but nothing comes out
It’s true that some people will open there mouth and words will just gush out without any effort on their part. While this is a wonderful testimony of many people who receive the gift of tongues, it doesn’t always happen this way. Remember we can’t put God in a box or designate a strict formula to the way the Spirit of God wants to operate.
Often people expect to be literally possessed by the Holy Spirit. But remember God has given us a free will to choose. Chances are the Holy Spirit will not overtake you and move your mouth and tongue for you.
You are in control: the spirits of the prophets are subject to the control of the prophets (1Cor 14:32)
But you are to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit of God.
Speaking in tongues is often just like speaking a foreign language. The words sound strange and they can seem very unnatural when forming them with our mouth!
It’s our responsibility to speak the words as we heed the instruction of our Language tutor – the Holy Spirit.
At time, for some people it may even feel extremely uncomfortable. That’s O.K. This is why the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. Be encouraged that God is in the midst of your learning experience to comfort. It’s what he’s promised!
What if I’m making it all up?
Is it your heart’s desire to speak in your God given Spiritual Language? If yes then you will have to operate in Faith. Another way to spell Faith is RISK. Open your mouth and speak out the sounds that are formed in your mind and your heart and remember that:
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
So what if some of the words are made up by you. Never mind, if you are operating in faith be encouraged in that God is pleased with your faith. He will help you get things right!
So form the sounds, speak them out loud. You may only have one or two syllables. Wonderful! Say them in every possible way you can say them. Don’t despise the days of small beginnings. Overtime you’ll grow in confidence and vocabulary.
Paul wished that we would all speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 4:5) and every Christian can speak in tongues. Not everyone is a “speaker of tongues”(the office) (1 Corinthians 12:30), But all are encouraged to pray in the Spirit to build ourselves up (Jude 1:20). When you’re alone in prayer, tongues can be the greatest gift because speaking in tongues builds you up (1 Corinthians. 14:4-5).
So will you eagerly desire it?
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39
I know this is controversial and I have a lot more I could say about it. Love to have your comments below.
Hi, I think I’m praying in tongues but I’ve never any idea what it is that I’m saying. Is it biblical/Godly etc to ask somebody if they can ‘translate’ for your? Would it right to ask the person who is gifted at interpreting prophetic words said in tongues in a church service to try to help me in this way?
@james
Since what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 was written to church that was in seeming chaos when they met together, I think it’s important to wait for a translation of a message of tongues when it’s done in a public setting.
Since Jude tells us to build ourselves up by praying in the Holy Spirit, when I pray privately I make sure to pray with my spirit and with the understanding. I pray in tongues when my understanding isn’t enough.
I’ve been in many meetings where a message in tongues was given in a language someone understood – usually it’s the native language of the listener – much like what happened on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts on the birthday of the church.
I’ve had people ask me to translate for them and it’s really an uncomfortable place to be. I’ve learned to listen to God and speak words of life, but I can’t say I’ve ever interpreted a message of tongues. Maybe I have. I did what I did in faith to please God. I’m more confident that the Spirit will prompt people to translate in a public setting understanding it may be my job to teach them how to use the gifts God’s given to build up others.
Hope that helps.
Greetings,
I think paul was talking about a sermon or sharing of word. A prayer is a conversation with God is not suppose to explained to any one
I guess I need to read all the comments to see what people’s questions are coming from…Thanks!
Yes I would love to speak in tongues, and I have prayed and will continue to pray until something happens! Other than prayer, I am not aware of any thing else to do.
Pat,
It’s faith that pleases God. Often people feel like the Spirit will take control of them and make them speak in tongues. That sounds to me more like possession than empowerment. Sure, I know we’ve all heard stories and I’ve even had times when all I could do was speak in tongues…but those seem to be exceptions instead of patterns.
The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. The same is true with tongues. In faith, step out and form the words, it’s often after that the Spirit takes over.
Praying for you.
Blessings.
Thank you so much for this post Trevor. I am one who has wrestled with this subject, believing in my spirit that the gift/s still apply to us today, but have been taught the gifts no longer exist. I have earnestly desired this gift, believing it as well to be the launchpad for other gifts. It has not come as easily to me as I’ve heard it has for others, and at times have decided it just was not meant for me. Thank you for helping clear up some of those small beginnings. You encourage me to continue.
Shari England recently posted..Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
Thank you Shari. Keep pressing in.
I’ve put you in the whitelist so you’re comments will automatically get posted from now on.
Let’s keep in touch. Keeping you in prayer. Blessings.
Thank you Trevor. I appreciate your passion to build up the Body of Christ.
Thanks Shari. BTW I’ve whitelisted you so your comments will automatically be posted. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Hi,
How can praying in tongues become unfruitful? The only way I know is to be in unbelief while praying in tongues? Is this what you mean? Thanks Tim
In my experience if I pray in tongues without praying with understanding it can become more like a ritual. I need to do it in faith knowing I’m building myself up and praying in agreement with God. “Unfruitful” may be too strong of word but I wanted to get the sentiment across. Thanks so much for asking.
My grandmother had the gift of speaking in tongues and I was always fascinated. Several years ago, at a Methodist prayer meeting (didn’t I see a comment about a Methodist prayer meeting – what is it about Methodist prayer meetings?) we were asked if we wanted the gift. I replied, “YES!” And now, I have this strong connection to the Holy Spirit through the gift. You are right, it was the beginning of an intimate, strong relationship with the Holy Spirit. So many times I have no words, but the words that God gives me are powerful.
Good post. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing Blanca. I’ve whitelisted you so your comments are unmoderated ’cause I think you have a lot to add to the conversation on RevTrev.com
Great blog by the way.
Great post. I was introduced to tongues through a Methodist prayer group. The best explanation I ever heard about learning to pray in tongues came at a healing service led by the “Happy Hunters:” — You provide the syllables and expect God to make a language out of them.
By the way, praying IN the Spirit is not necessarily praying in tongues. When Paul specifically combines the concepts of prayer and tongues (1 Cor 14:15), he uses the expression praying WITH his spirit. And notice he’s writing about praying with HIS spirit, not the Holy Spirit. We need to be careful of our prepositions! Surely praying in the Spirit comprises any prayer (in a known or unknown tongue or with groanings no words can express) where a mortal person is in unity with the Holy Spirit.
But you have done a great job of picking through what has unfortunately become a minefield.
David,
I totally agree with you – praying IN the Spirit is praying WITH the Spirit. I know I can pray in tongues and it become unfruitful. I need to keep in step with Spirit in all things.
Hi David,
I don’t understand you when you say your prayer in tongues is unfruitful what do you mean?
Susan,
It comes more from my experience than it does from the Word. I’ve found I can be religious even though I don’t like the label (apart from taking care of the widows and orphans and keeping ourselves from being polluted from the world).
What I mean is that I can pray in tongues like the way I said my prayers as a kid – by rote. There was usually no passion or agreement in my spirit with what the Spirit was saying.
Worse, speaking in tongues can give us a sense of “spiritual specialness” and an attitude that shows we think non-tongue speakers are at best second-class Christians.
On the other hand, when I pray in tongues when I run out of words to say, knowing the Spirit Himself prays through me, I don’t have know what I’m praying to know I’m agreeing with God’s will and since I know when I pray with His will, I know what I pray I’ll receive, I can’t pray simple rote prayers.
Do I think rote prayers don’t do any good? I can’t say, but I do know I get more enjoyment about praying prayers that are according to God’s will.
Is there intrinsic value in praying in tongues robotically? I can’t say. I’m just glad it’s my choice to do it or not.
Hope that helps.
I like your humble, non-polarizing approach to this issue.
Neil @ Looking Towards Home recently posted..Can I get even closer to You- God
Thanks Neil. I know it still offends a few people on every side of the discussion.