“…the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we DON’T KNOW what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US (huperentugchanō: to act in behalf of someone in difficulty) praying for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (Rom. 8:26) Ever felt at a loss for words? If you’re searching for the right words to pray to God but can’t find them, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP YOU, so yield to Him and pray through Jesus Christ to the Father. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, even to the point of HELPING US PRAY, even if “we do not know what to pray for as we ought.”
HERE ARE FIVE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD DESIRE TO SPEAK IN TONGUES:
- ONE: God teaches that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. Speaking in tongues is an initial evidence, or sign, of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4) “…those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God.” (Acts 10:45-46) “…when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6) Jude says, there are those trouble makers, “…not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:19-21) “…he who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE edifies himself… I wish you all SPOKE WITH TONGUES…I thank my God I SPEAK WITH TONGUES more than you all; (1 Corin. 14:2, 4-5, 18)
- TWO: Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to continue the practice of speaking with other tongues in their worship of God. He also encouraged them to speaking tongues in their individual prayer life as a means of spiritual edification or building up. The Bible says, “He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself” — (I Corin. 14:14).
- THREE: Speaking with other tongues keeps us continually aware of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Every day, that is bound to affect the way we think and live.
- FOUR: It helps believers learn to trust God. The Bible says, “building yourselves up on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT…” (Jude 20). Speaking in tongues stimulates faith and helps us learn how to trust God more fully.
- FIVE: James 3:8 says, “…no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Yielding your tongue to the Holy Spirit to speak with other tongues is a big step toward being able to fully yield all your members to God. If you can yield your tongue, you can yield any member of your body to God. Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. God has given us THIS WONDERFUL SPIRITUAL GIFT to bless us, edify us, and refresh us throughout our lives on this earth.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham