Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Graceful Tongues: The Benefits of Praying in Other Tongues

                                                         


46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:46a NKJV







 We've been in an extended study of the Precious Holy Spirit, the third Person of the triune Godhead. As we've previously stated, no study of the Holy Ghost is complete without examining the Gifts and ministry of the Spirit. 

 In our last post, we addressed the many objections to praying in tongues, some hold fast to in their hearts and minds. Only by receiving wisdom and revelation from God's Word will these strongholds be removed. Today, I sense the strong leading to share with you the benefits of praying in the Spirit.

 Some have said, "I see no benefit in praying in a language I can't understand." I take notice that all of those making this statement have never actually spoken in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. There is no difference in this logic, then those in years gone by saying they see no benefit in traveling by airplane or by motor vehicles. Usually, those making these statements had only traveled by ship or by horse and carriage. 

 If you've never spoken in tongues, of course, you're not going to understand it nor intellectually see a benefit in the practice. The Word of God is clear, you can't see or understand the things of God intellectually or by the natural mind. I trust you're not natural minded and will readily receive the truth that will bless and strengthen your relationship with our good Father.

Graceful benefits of praying in the Spirit

 1. Tongues serve as evidence of one having received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. 
Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-6  all clearly reveal tongues as the evidence one has received this Baptism in the Spirit. Peter used this experience of the Baptism in the Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues as proof that God was granting salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. 
2. Tongues act as a doorway to the supernatural, flowing in the gifts of the Spirit and operating in signs and wonders. 
 Mark 16 reveals Jesus' plan for the ministry of the Church to operate in signs and wonders. He includes speaking in tongues as one of these signs. Throughout the book of Acts, we see many miracles and mighty signs and wonders manifested by the Church. None of these began to happen until the believers had received the Baptism in the Spirit and spoken in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. 
3. Tongues serve as a reminder of the indwelling presence of God. It helps us be more God inside minded. 
 Jesus declared the Spirit will be upon us and shall be in us. Becoming God inside minded makes us more aware of His presence within. We won't be overcome by feelings of loss, abandonment or loneliness when we realize that He is always with us.
4. When we pray in tongues we are praying divine secrets or praying mysteries.
 Paul revealed this wonderful benefit in his Epistle to the Corinthians. This word translated mysteries in the Greek reveals some powerful truths. In the Greek, it means a hidden thing or secret thing not obvious to the understanding. It's hidden counsel or purpose. It's hidden counsels concealed to the ungodly and World but made plain to the righteous. We tap into these hidden counsels by praying in the Spirit. 
5. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God is revealed to us when we pray in the Spirit. We receive wisdom, revelation, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. 
 Paul reveals this wonderful benefit in 1 Corinthians 2. Speaking words the Spirit gives is praying in the Spirit. When we spend time praying in the Spirit we are tapping into God's wisdom. We are able to receive insight, direction, and guidance from the Spirit when we pray in the Spirit. 
6. Praying in the Spirit enables us to bypass our natural mind and our own thoughts and agendas or ideas and pray God's plan.
 It is clear from Paul's Epistle when we pray in the Spirit our understanding is unfruitful. In other words, tongues eliminate the potential selfish or self-seeking motives in prayer.
7. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying God's best and perfect will. We don't always know what to pray or how to pray in a given situation but He does.
 Romans 8 reminds us we don't always know what to pray in some situations. Thank the Lord we can rely on His Spirit praying through us.
8. When we pray in the Spirit we are receiving spiritual refreshing.
 Isaiah prophesied of the refreshing that praying in the Spirit brings. Feeling "burned out"? Pray in the Spirit.
9. When we pray in the Spirit we enter into the rest.
 Again Isaiah prophesied of the rest and refreshing brought forth by praying in the Spirit. Feeling weary? Pray in the Spirit and enter into God's rest.
10.When we pray in the Spirit we are stimulating our faith or trust in God.
 Jude reveals by praying in the Spirit we stimulate our faith in God. This intimate prayer reminds us we can rest in His all the time goodness. We can put our full confidence and trust in Him.
11. When we pray in the Spirit we are recharging our whole spirit soul and body. 
 Paul teaches when we pray in tongues we edify ourselves. This word "edifies" in the original Greek means to build up, to repair, to restore. It also connotes the idea of promoting growth in wisdom, Grace, and blessedness. It is equivalent to recharging a battery. We are energized, recharged in our total being by praying in the Spirit.
12. Praying in the Spirit offers us a powerful way to offer praise and worship to the Lord.
 Paul's instruction reveals we can pray in the Spirit as well as sing in the Spirit. Praise and worship in the Spirit bring our devotion to a much higher level. Tradition mistakenly assigns the definition of singing in the Spirit as singing with just a little more energy, gusto, and vigor. The Scripture is clear singing in the Spirit is to sing in tongues. Paul references singing spiritual songs and hymns and making melody in our heart towards the Lord.
13. Praying in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. 
 As Paul teaches about proper exercise of praying in tongues amongst the unlearned, he reveals a great truth. Prayer in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. Our worship is taken to a higher dimension with tongues. 
14. Praying in the Spirit magnifies God. 
 The book of Acts reveals to us when we pray in tongues we magnify God. We know God doesn't actually become physically larger. It just means He becomes bigger to us. His love, His wisdom and guidance and Word become bigger within us than whatever we are facing. In our worship and devotion, we magnify Him. We're able to offer our good Father praise and worship and thanksgiving in the Spirit.
15. Tongues are God's plan and will for all believers. Mark's Gospel reveal the words of Jesus. This is His best and will for all His Church. Tongues? Blame Jesus! Paul's Epistle echoes the same sentiment. It's always been the Father's highest and best for His Church to operate in the power of God. When we receive this free gift we are fulfilling His plan and desire for the Church. This is not to say God is disappointed or looks down on those who have yet to receive. The Finished Work is what completes our identity, not any Spiritual gift.

 Here we have fifteen Scriptural benefits of praying in tongues. This Grace gift is made available to all who will simply respond. Praying in the Spirit will build you up, and stir you up and cheer you up. Freely receive this wonderful gift in Jesus name. 
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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