REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD Habitation of Peace Guelph KINGDOMLIFE SCHOOL HOLY SPIRIT MODULE Speaking in Tongues Objectives What is Speaking in Tongues? Speaking in Tongues vs. the Gift of Divers kinds of Tongues The Purpose and Benefits of Speaking in Tongues Hindrances to Speaking in Tongues Steps to Speaking in Tongues Introduction Today, the mystery of speaking in tongues is one of the most misunderstood mysteries. There is much debate as to the validity of speaking in tongues, especially since there is so much misunderstanding of it in Christian circles. Believers are robbed off of its tremendous benefits. Some Christian churches teach that speaking in tongues, word of knowledge, prophecy, etc. ceased with the completion of the New Testament. However, Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". It is therefore imperative to clarify some of the misgivings about the concept of speaking in tongues. This study will put us in the correct perspective of this all-important subject. Paul says, I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you (1Cor 14.18). Speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism is irrefutable. People have tried to discredit it, and yet millions have been baptized in the Holy Ghost. Some people cannot believe that the Lord will take over a holy being, a sanctified tongue and speak in any language He wants. But they believe in devil possession, that the devil can take an unclean tongue and say whatever he wants. What is Speaking in Tongues? Speaking in tongues is a New Testament phenomenon where a person speaks in a language that is unknown to him, unknown to the devil but known and understood by God (1Cor 14:2). Therefore, the gift of tongues is a supernatural gift given by God to enable someone to speak in a language the person has never learnt or known, in order to minister or commune with God and edify himself. This gift was promised well in advance by Jesus Christ and given by the Holy Spirit to the Christian Church. At the first encounter with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, the people around the apostles thought they were drunk; but then the language they spoke was meaningful to them, We heard them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues! (Acts2.11). God had to make them hear them speak in this instance to convince the people of this divine visitation and cancel the notion that they were drunk of wine. The people had to hear speaking in new tongues (Mk 16.17). The new here means Kainos in Greek, which means "of a new kind", "unprecedented", "uncommon" language. The Greek word translated "tongues" literally means languages. Speaking in tongues is a language of the Holy Spirit. Paul said, For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful (1Cor 14:14). Speaking in Tongues vs. the Gift of Divers Kinds of Tongues 1
Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence that a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Everything God does for us start from within and moves to the outer body. It is the outburst and outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believer. It is however the overflow of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). At salvation we receive Him but at baptism we release Him. The trend and consistency (Acts 2.4; 10.44-46 & 19.2-6) is here underscored that after the Holy Spirit came upon them, they began to speak in tongues. We must recognize that speaking in tongues as the evidence of our baptism in the Spirit is NOT the same as the gift of diverse kinds of tongues which is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12.7-11). You must first receive the Holy Ghost before you can receive one or more of the nine gifts of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, speaking in tongues enhances our effectiveness in the world of the supernatural and is a catalyst in the operations of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Every Spirit-filled believer can and should be able to speak in tongues and pray in the Spirit at any time he wishes if he will lift up his voice and speak in faith. The gift of divers kinds of tongues consists of many tongues or languages which are for the purpose of ministering to the Body of Christ (I Cor 12:29-30). The gifts of diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues are manifested for the benefit of others. The focus in this lecture is on the speaking in tongues which is for the generality of the Body of Christ rather than the gift of divers kinds of tongues. The Purpose and Benefits of Speaking in Tongues The purpose of speaking in tongues is primarily for the personal edification of believers (1Cor 14.4) and for ministering to the Lord (1Cor 14.2; Acts 10.46). It is important we understand the full range of benefits we derive in speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is not just one initial experience of being filled with the Holy Ghost, and then it ceases. Speaking in tongues should be a continual experience for the rest of one's life to assist him in the worship of God. It is like a flowing stream that should never dry up, but continually enriches the spiritual life of the believer. i. Prayers. Speaking in tongues empowers and rejuvenates the believer s prayer life. It is the believer s own personal prayer language in which he prays and communicates with God most intimately (1Cor 14.2). When you pray in tongues, you pray directly to God from your spirit as it is now meshed with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues brings the man s spirit to the same frequency with God s Spirit. It gives the believer an uncontaminated, direct line to God. It s the language of the Spirit because there are no words from you as a human being that are whole enough to communicate to the Holy God. He gave us this divine utterance to help us communicate with Him better. These are the most pure, unbiased, unselfish and honest utterances to God sanctioned by the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul and Jude encourage us to build up ourselves by praying in the Spirit (1Cor 14:15; Jude 1.20). There are times when believers pray amiss (James 4.3). But you can t pray amiss when you pray in tongues. When you speak in tongues it by-passes your mind, your intellect and reasoning and helps you to utter words straight from your spirit in communion with the Spirit of God (1Cor 14:14). When you pray in tongues, you pray Spirit-directed prayers; the Holy Spirit directs your prayers according to the perfect will of God (Rom 8:26 27). In this scripture, Paul clarifies that there are moments when we are weak and unclear as to what and how to pray. At such times, the Holy Spirit steps in, in the form of speaking in tongues. And again, there are times when the human mind does not line up with the mind of the Holy Spirit. Your mind may be corrupted by external influences; He searches through your mind and aligns it with the mind of the Holy Spirit. He by-passes the mind and takes over by making intercession according to the will of God. In a way, the Holy Spirit keeps you out of your own business and takes over. ii. Unveiling Mysteries. Praying in tongues gives believers supernatural understanding of God s mysteries. "For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries" (1Cor 14:2). Corey describes the Holy Spirit as the Google, or search engine of heaven. There are depths and new things of God we are yet to know as Christians. These hidden things would 2
only be revealed by the Holy Spirit who searches the mind of God (1Cor 2.11). The Spirit who knows everything about God is the same Spirit who lives inside of you! He desires to reveal to you the mysteries about His will, your life and the circumstances you are facing. We can access this revelation by communing with the Holy Spirit on His level in His language. Paul defines the Holy Spirit as the One who searches out everything and shows us God s deep secrets (1 Cor. 2:10NLT). As you pray in the Spirit, you will discover things that were previously mysterious and unknown. They will start coming into greater focus and clarity (Rom 8.26). iii. iv. Doorway to the world of the Supernatural. Praying in tongues enhances your operations in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in general and revelatory gifts in particular. These include the gifts of the Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Discernment of spirits, Prophecy and Diverse kinds of tongues (1Cor12: 8, 10). Praying in tongues actually unlocks other revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit in the believer s life. By praying in tongues, you are not praying on a natural dimension, but rather engaging on a purely spiritual platform. It is not uncommon to experience the Holy Spirit giving you supernatural insights when praying in tongues. This can lead you to pray for people, situations and even regions, enabling you to effectively pray for and break off the spiritual strongholds that are influencing them. Empowerment for spiritual warfare and greater exploits Speaking in tongues stirs up the power of God on your inside (Jude 1:20). When you pray in tongues, you are spiritually edified and strengthened (1Cor 14.4). It emboldens, empowers and strengthens you to do extraordinary things for God. Peter was such a timid and shy individual before the power of the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Acts 1:8 states specifically that we shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes; it does not stop there, but emboldens you to be a witness for Him all over the world. When we speak in tongues, we also command angelic assistance. You cover new ground when you pray in tongues. It also stimulates faith. When in the heat of spiritual battle, it is easy to start praying prayers that are emotionally engineered, emphasizing the problem rather than focusing on the finished work on the cross. We may even begin to pray from the place of pain and fear rather than victory. Praying in tongues empowers you to agree with God s victorious battle plan for your life and your circumstances, no matter what is going on around you. It does not deny the reality; it simply positions you to agree with the Word of God about that situation. Apostle Paul recommended Praying in the Spirit as one of the spiritual weapons for spiritual battle (Eph 6.18). v. Spiritual Rest. There is a kind of spiritual rest that accompanies those who regularly flow in the realm of speaking in tongues. Prophet Isaiah puts it clearly, With stammering lips and another tongue will he speak...this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing... (Isa 28.11-12). As a child of God, if you are faced with trial and adversity and you are tempted to doubt the power of God to heal and deliver; when the temptation to panic in face of emergency seems huge and the problems appear like a flood ready to overwhelm you; when you are in a spiritual battle with the forces of darkness and you find yourself almost giving up; it s time to minister to yourself through the Spirit (Col 3.16); and enter into a place of spiritual rest and victory where fears, anxiety and worries are laid to rest (Rom 8). There are times when you are heavily burdened and troubled in your heart. But as you turn over to the Lord in prayer especially by praying in tongues, you realize the burden is lifted and you are restful. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God has provided a supernatural rest for His children. If the present day church would embrace this gift, many of the troubles, anxieties and worries we face would be averted. 3
vi. Health Benefits: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (1Cor 14:4). Dr. Carl Peterson, M.D. conducted a study at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Being a brain specialist, he was doing a research project on the relationship between the brain and praying or speaking in tongues. He found that as we pray in the Spirit or worship in the Spirit, the brain releases two chemical secretions that are directed into our immune systems, giving a 35 to 40 percent boost to the immune system. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five women while they spoke in tongues and found that their frontal lobes the thinking, willful part of the brain through which people control what they do were relatively quiet, as were the language centers. When speaking in tongues, there was a decrease of activity in the frontal lobes and increased activity in the thalamus (ie, the "third brain", where it is believed by some that we have spiritual experiences). Language areas are in the frontal lobes. The language that emerged during the state of speaking in tongues was highly structured, filled with clearly articulated phrases. This is a very unusual finding, for it suggests that the language was being generated in a different way, or possibly from someplace other than the normal processing centers of speech. For believers, this experience could be taken as proof that another entity had actually spoken through them. Hindrances to Speaking in Tongues Many have been robbed of the blessings God intended them to have by believing that speaking in tongues is not for everyone, or that speaking in tongues is one of the lesser gifts of the Spirit. Some believe it ended with the Apostles; while some just think it just doesn t make sense not to understand what one is speaking. It is gibberish, they would say! Some feel that their speaking in tongues will get out of hand and they will not be able to control it; forgetting that there is no gift that God gave you that you cannot control. Those are some of the myths surrounding speaking in tongues. Besides that, the following are the hindrances to this amazing gift. a. Over-analysis: In 1Cor 2:9-14 Paul admonishes the Corinthian Church not to rationalise this gift. In other words, the flesh cannot comprehend the spirit. When you try to understand God by the flesh, and not by revelation; when you try to grasp the truth of the Word with information instead of revelation; you make mistakes. When we overanalyse things, we miss out on the supernatural. Just because our minds cannot understand the whys of God s ways does not give us permission to ignore them. b. Pride: Conceit and self-consciousness are roadblocks to baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. More often, we don t want to appear silly; not knowing that it is a language of emptiness of self and more of God. It is all about surrendering to God. We need to lay aside our egos. We need to let go of control. c. Fear: Some people are afraid, what if this is demonic? What if this is me? (Mat 7:9-11) d. Inaction: Christians who have not succeeded in activating their gift of speaking in tongues sometimes say that they were waiting for something to happen. The gifts of the Spirit will never be without your ability to control it. Paul devoted a whole chapter talking about the need to control the gifts of the Spirit (1Cor 14). You need to give God the platform to act on; he takes over and operates on that platform. If you re trying to activate your gift, just start making noises, and let God take control. Give him the noise and let Him add the meaning to it. It is like turning your car key, and the engine takes over. e. Reliance upon feelings: It is interesting how often we encounter Christians who say they have received the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of new tongues, but that they have not continued to pray regularly in the Spirit after their initial experience. Often they confide that they seldom "feel the anointing" and therefore have stopped since they do not wish to do anything "in the flesh. You don t have to "feel" an anointing before praying in the Spirit. It is indeed an act of faith, and has nothing to do with how one feels (Gal 3:2). We are admonished several times in Scriptures to pray in the Spirit as this is the means by which we edify ourselves, worship God, and minister on behalf of others (ICor 14:2,4; Acts 10:46; Ephesians 6:18). Paul speaks of praying 4
"in the Spirit" and praying "with the understanding" (ICor 14:15). Every Christian uses prayer with the understanding to strengthen himself and to pray for his and others' needs, as well as for praising and worshipping God. Steps to Speaking in Tongues The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not an experience that one must tarry for months or years to receive. It is to be received by faith (Galatians 3:2, 14). On the day of Pentecost, they were together in one place and united, focused and in tune with God when suddenly, the Holy Ghost descended upon them and they yielded to Him. They all spoke with tongues as the Holy Spirit gave utterance. The Holy Ghost used man s tongue, man s vocal organs, but the mind of man was not included in the speaking. When you talk, He talks. He can't talk until you do because He will not take over an unwilling vessel. When the Holy Ghost is speaking, the person s mind is quiet; it s the mind of the Holy Spirit controlling the speech. Do not be concerned about, "what to say;" the Holy Spirit language does not come from the mind or intellect, but through the spirit, as the Holy Spirit anoints you to speak what He gives. In faith, you must put your vocal or speech faculties into operation as you do in speaking any language. However, in this case, it is the Holy Spirit who will add meaning to your speech. Many people have received the baptism in the Spirit by following the simple steps outlined below. i. Accept the promise of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the promise in the Word of God (Acts 2:38-39). ii. Ask for the baptism in the Holy Spirit and expect to receive (Luke 11:9-13; Mt 7:8). iii. Confess that you have received the Holy Spirit after you ask (Mk 11:24). For example, you may pray: "Father, on the authority of your promise, I now ask for, and by faith I receive, the baptism in the Holy Spirit--in Jesus' Name". iv. Act on your confession of faith (James 2:17) and speak. Conclusion: The gift of speaking in tongues is a good gift. It is expressly stated in Mathew 17:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask of him? Remember, receiving the Holy Spirit is an act of faith; and this promise is to be appropriated in the same way as all of God's promises are, such as salvation, healing, and so on. Some have failed to receive because they have not understood this fact; they were looking first of all for some "feeling," "anointing," or "emotional experience" before they would believe that they had received the baptism. We are to receive the Holy Spirit by faith; and then as we act on our faith, He will manifest in us. 5