Speaking in Tongues
by Richard Murray
Does God want us to speak in tongues?
Jesus said yes:
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.
- Mark 16:17
Paul said yes:
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all. -1Corinthians 14: 5,18
Desire spiritual gifts:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. - 1 Corinthians 14:1
Benefits of Speaking in Tongues:
1. Exhortation
* Speaking in tongues (edification of one’s self/spirit) is compared to charging up a battery.
(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
* He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
- 1 Corinthians 14:4
* For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with understanding also:
I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with understanding also.
- 1 Corinthians 14: 14-15
* But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. - Jude 20
2. Giving Praise and Thanksgiving:
* Else when thou shall bless with the Spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
- 1 Corinthians 14:16,17
* But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship Him. - John 4:23
* And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as come with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also were poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. - Acts 1:45-48
* And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Eph. 5:18-20
3. Assurance and Relationship:
* For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries - 1 Corinthians 14:2
* And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gifts as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord, Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. - Acts 11:15-18
4. Rest and Refreshing:
* In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they
not hear Me, saith the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 14:21
* For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the Word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Wherefore hear the Word of God, ye scornful men, that rule this people in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste. - Isaiah 28:10-16
5. Prayer and Intercession:
* Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high Places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour be that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints. - Eph. 6:10-18
* Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit. - 1 Thes. 5:16-19
* Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God; to them that are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:26-28
* For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit
in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. - 1 Corinthians 14:2
Training the Tongue:
* But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. - James 3:8
* A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Prov. 18:20-21
* He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because
that Jesus was not yet glorified.) - John 7:38-39
Myths vs. Truth:
Myth #1 - Speaking in tongues is about a foreign language, not a spiritual language.
* And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. We do hear them speak in our tongues the
wonderful works of God. - Acts 2:1-6, 11
* For he that understandeth in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man
understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. - 1 Corinthians 14:2
for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the
church may receive edifying. - 1 Corinthians 14:5
Myth #2 - Speaking in Tongues has ceased.
* Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with. When I was a child, I spake as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (Spiritual gifts will only be done away with when Christ comes for His bride, and we see Him face to face; then, there will be no need for gifts to elevate us into God’s presence because we will be completely unified with Him).
Myth #3 - Speaking is not for everybody and is not a sign of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
* And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. – Acts 10:45-48
* And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us in the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as He did us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. - Acts 11:15-18
* Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon (not Peter) saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter (the Greek word for “matter” may also be translated as "something said" or "utterance"): for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then spoke Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which
ye have spoken come upon me. – Acts 8:14-24
Conclusion:
Speaking in tongues is a sign, a gift, and a wonder!
* Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:6-7
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THE GOODNESS OF GOD"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.!" -Psalms 34:8
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