Speaking in Tongues: The Door Into the Supernatural
I have found in my own life over a period of more than fifty-five years that the more I speak in tongues — the more I pray and worship God in tongues — the more manifestation of the other gifts of the Spirit I have in my life too. And the less I speak in tongues, the less manifestation of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit I have operating in my life. Speaking with tongues is the door into all the other spiritual gifts. Some people like to jump in and get all the gifts of the Spirit at once, but you have to go through the door to get into the supernatural. Also, it is as the Spirit of God wills, not as we will (1 Cor. 12:11). In other words, you can't force or "put on" a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit. The Bible teaches us to desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1). The Bible also teaches us to earnestly covet the best gifts (1 Cor. 12:31). But remember that those words were written to people who already spoke in tongues.
They weren't written to people who did not speak with tongues. In fact, the Corinthians had a superabundance of speaking with tongues in the public assembly. It seemed that when these Corinthians came to church, all of them wanted to speak in tongues at the same time. It is interesting to note, however, if everyone is speaking in tongues all at one time, the entire church congregation cannot be edified or built up, for no one would understand what is being said (1Cor. 14:2-19). Therefore, Paul instructed the Corinthians that in public meetings only two or three people should speak, and another should interpret (1 Cor. 14:27). Also, if there wasn't an interpreter present, they should keep silent in the church (1 Cor. 14:28). Paul didn't say that the Corinthians had received the wrong gift.
They had received the right gift, but they were just so thrilled and exuberant that they wanted to talk in tongues all at once. They needed instruction on how to use this gift. You see, if we are all praising God, it is fine for all of us to praise God in tongues altogether and all at the same time. But it would certainly be wrong if everyone started talking in tongues while the preacher was trying to preach or teach. And it would not be right for someone to spend an hour speaking in tongues without any interpretation. The speaker would be edified, but the listener wouldn't get anything out of it. That's why the Bible said it is better to speak a few words with our own understanding so we can teach others than it is to speak ten thousand words in tongues, unless we speak with tongues and interpret what we've said so that all may be edified. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:18,19 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 YET IN THE CHURCH I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might TEACH others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Some folks, however, have made a mountain out of a molehill, so to speak, in this area. They claim that Paul was trying to tell the Corinthians not to speak with tongues at all. This couldn't have been his intention, however, for notice what he said in verse 18: "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Cor. 14:18). Paul was saying that it would be better for him to stand before the congregation and speak five words in his own language so people could understand him and he could teach others, than it would be to speak ten thousand words in tongues that were uninterpreted. But to correct one error, Paul would not suggest we make another by abandoning speaking in tongues altogether. We are just to get instructions regarding the public use of this gift. We are told to covet earnestly the best gifts. And as we do this, we will walk in more power and be more effective in our Christian life.
We will go through the door of the baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive the glorious spiritual gifts that God has promised those who believe His Word. I am thoroughly convinced that if we would be sensitive and responsive to the Holy Spirit, He knows what is coming in the future, and He will show us things to come (John 16:13). He will equip each of us for that which lies ahead in life, if we will yield to Him. Praying and speaking with tongues is one way to do that. It is one way to be built up spiritually in order to prepare and be ready for whatever may come in the future. It is wonderful what the Lord is doing these days. Are you as a Spirit-filled believer taking full advantage of the gift of tongues? God has given each of us a supernatural means of edifying ourselves or building ourselves up spiritually. God has given to us a supernatural means of communication with Him. Are you taking full advantage of this gift of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, that God has made available to each one of His children?
FFT: Speaking in tongues is the door into all the other spiritual gifts.
ACTION POINT: Cultivate the habit of speaking in tongues daily!
Great one beloved
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