TONGUES, TONGUES, TONGUES

“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.” (1 Corinthians 14:18)

“And these signs will follow those who believe…they will speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:17)

Tongues is not a gift. The Holy Spirit is the gift (Acts 2:38).

Tongues is only called a gift when you get to 1 Corinthians 12:10 and it works in a public setting only with interpretation.

Tongues is a prayer language and it signals the arrival of the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts2:4, Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6).

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays…” (1 Corinthians 14:14)

Tongues is speaking to God.

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God…” (1 Corinthians 14:2a)

Tongues is speaking mysteries.

“…howbeit, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2b)

Tongues is a primary means of personal edification.

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…” (1 Corinthians 14:4)

After 43 years of praying and speaking in tongues I recently came across another precious truth that blessed my heart. And I trust it will also bless yours. Here it is:

In 1 Corinthians 14:8 the apostle Paul likened the correct use of tongues to the clear sound of the trumpet. And by extension, we can say that every Old Testament battle which involved the use of the trumpet, hints at the importance of tongues in our New Testament battles — thus echoing the high value on NT tongues.

Isn’t that so good?

I have always been a strong proponent of tongues. I feel that the so called seeker-friendly movement devalued tongues to such a degree that it pulled much of the Church back on it. I believe it was a trick of the devil to further lessen the power in the Church. I know many will disagree with this statement, but I personally believe the reason we don’t see more power and revelation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested in the Church is because we don’t pray in tongues enough. Many only pray what they know with their own understanding which is very limited. But praying with tongues is praying with God’s understanding which is unlimited.

Praying in tongues is a valuable means that the Holy Spirit uses to make up for our weaknesses in prayer.

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For w