A Brief Synopsis:
Why tongues? And It's Functions.
It has been heavy on my heart for several years. We do not need to be ignorant in this area of the Holy Spirit, but rather study out what the word has to say that we might be mature in every area. This is a VERY brief synopsis of the purpose of tongues - on just a few points! This does not even scratch the surface of all it's uses and benefits.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
There are so many aspects to tongues that I shall narrow it down to a few.
Tongues: The Word & the Spirit functioning as a weapon and creative power
1. It is a powerful weapon against the enemy & a creating gift for the body.
As a functioning weapon... Have you ever noticed that tongues is specifically addressed with putting on the armor of God?
Ephesians 6:13,17-18
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand..... And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
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Note that praying in tongues is paired with the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) This is VERY interesting.... The Word requires the Holy Spirit. If you'll track through the scriptures, you'll find the two ALWAYS go together for there to be results. Why?
2. A function of the Holy Spirit is to CREATE what God speaks.
A prime example:
Genesis 1:1-2
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Though the Holy Spirit was hovering, NOTHING happened until God spoke a WORD. It was then that the Spirit rushed in on that word to create what was not there before...
Genesis 1:3 Then God SAID (a word), "Let there be light"; and there was light.
2. A function of the Holy Spirit is to CREATE, manifesting God's word.
God spoke a word to Mary regarding Jesus but it took the Holy Spirit to create the seed... and the word became flesh:
Luke 1:34-35
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you (hover over you as in the beginning)...
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
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Do you see the connection between the word and the Holy Spirit? It is a powerful union.
Track with me in this a little further:
2 Corinthains 4:6-7 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness (In Genesis 1), who has (also) shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this (same) treasure (of the Holy Spirit) in earthen vessels (hovering over our deep places), that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
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When it comes to the armor of God, tongues is a very creative, powerful weapon for intercession. Not only for covering a fellow soldier or lost victim of the enemy, but tongues creates a turning point for yourself. Why? You are speaking out the word of God (straight from the heart of God) over your life. And the same Holy Spirit that hovered over the face of the deep in Genesis, hovers over the deep in your life... waiting for the word. And He will rush in on it to create.
A TOOL to get the job accomplished
Why tongues? It bypasses the mind and allows God to speak out through your tongue what He wants done on earth as it is in heaven:
Romans 8:26-27
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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We can be guaranteed of it being accomplished (what we are praying about).
I John 5:14-15
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
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Teach us to Pray!
Luke 11:1
1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
So Jesus gives His disciples an outline of what prayer should consist of. To stick to the point I will not cover the whole outline.
Luke 11:2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say: ... Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
It is interesting to note that few verses down He makes a definite point of the Holy Spirit. Don't think that He is on a totally disconnected thought. It all flows if you will pay it close attention, because this passage deals with the Father and asking. Remember He is teaching His disciples how to pray:
Luke 11:13
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
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This obviously is important to Jesus for Him to make a point here.
Romans 8:26-27
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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Why should I pray regularly in tongues when I can pray in my native tongue? Besides all the IMPORTANT reasons above: tongues exercises your faith, because it takes faith to pray in a language that you do not know the next word. You are stepping out beyond you and yielding your tongue to the utterance the Holy Spirit gives you:
Jude 1:20
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
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You become more sensitive to the presence of God & His power (the Holy Spirit) in your life the more you exercise in this spiritual act. Also, every other spiritual gift is enhanced with tongues. I have found this to be so true in my own life. I have been praying in tongues and knew supernaturally that my horses had left our property and knew right where they had gone. Another time, I knew a sibling was in a life and death situation and the need to cover it in tongues, though I did not know the details. (I knew this by the Holy Spirit because my head had no clue) I knew to text someone and what to prophesy to them when my head had no clue. I knew what market to go to and recognized the lost soul I was sent for. Spoke healing to a heart failure by praying in tongues for them through the night. Healed.
Spoke the answer to a question that was serious as to direction in my life. Through tongues, I received the answer.
Acts 10:9-10-46
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
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Acts 10:19-20
19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.
20 "Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
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Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And 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.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
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A LOVE gift for the body
You want to know a very practical side to tongues! You use this gift to cover your husband/ your wife. You cover each other and have each other's back with this weapon and gift. I have seen it in my parents, my siblings, and in my own life. Tongues is the surest way to minister to someone you love and help them succeed. It 100% enhances marriage to a level of sweetness and security you couldn't have ever touched without it. Tongues touches areas that have been hurt in misunderstandings, fights that you have no idea how to repair, or even the doorways to that deep place in their heart that's hurting. The Holy Spirit knows... even when you don't know yourself or even the why you are hurting. Speaking out God's word via tongues seriously changes the atmosphere and situation. Praying in the Spirit brings answers, direction what to do (Often it makes no sense to the head but EVERY TIME it has WORKED! And the enemy is put to shame while the relationship was made stronger. I speak from experience with family and friends - not head knowledge! It works in family, friends, marriage, courtship...
I could tell you story after story, but to stay brief, I will only stick to main points this time. Please see some of my other articles.
1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
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Is it for Everyone?
Yes. Luke 11:13
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
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Acts 2:17
'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh...
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