Grace for Life

A Brand New Tongue

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“When measured in real-life conversations, the average person speaks around 16,000 words daily.” That’s a lot. They say women talk more than men. That has been my experience in thirty-seven years of marriage. That is just how God created her. I love listening to her. It would be true that every word that I have spoken has not always been the best. I used to swear a lot and say demeaning things about myself. Things have gotten better since knowing Christ. Something happened to me that put me on a whole new level. It was almost like having two tongues. There are four kinds of tongues in the New Testament:

  1. Tongues of men-known languages -(Act 2:4-8, 1 Cor 13:1).
  2. Tongues of Angels-( 1Cor 13:1).
  3. Diverse or different Kinds of Tongues-( 1Cor 12:10).
  4. Tongues that communicate with God-( 1Cor 14:2, 1 Cor 14:4, 1 Cor 14:14-15).

About forty-one years ago I had an experience in my parent’s home. They weren’t home at the time and I was in my bedroom praying. I heard about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit at Church and I was hungry to receive. With that blessing came the evidence of speaking in tongues or an unknown language. I didn’t receive it right away for it took a little more understanding of the scriptures. The Holy Spirit was leading me to a greater understanding. I found it in Acts 2. Acts 2:4 (NKJV)-4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. I realized the Holy Spirit gave the utterance but I had to use my tongue and speak those words out. The Holy Spirit uses our tongue. This language is supernatural. It is heaven’s language I believe. Apostle Paul says it is the tongues of men and angels. ( 1 Cor 13:1). I was filled with incredible joy the day I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. It was amazing.(Mark 1:8, Jude 20, 1 Cor 14:2, 1 Cor 14:14-15, Acts 2:4, Rom 8:26-27, Gal 3:14).

Through the years I have enjoyed speaking in tongues or praying in the Spirit. The Apostle Paul made this statement. 1 Corinthians 14:18 (NKJV)-18  I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ( 1 Cor 14:14-15). Today I’m not going to talk about those who believe this is not for today or that it is not for everyone. I believe if you are a Born Again Christian this experience is for you. It is for all believers in Christ. I believe speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-2 (NKJV)-1  And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2  he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” These were believers, yet they hadn’t heard of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Drop down to verse six. Acts 19:6 (NKJV)-6  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. We find that Jesus prophesied that these signs would follow those who believe. Mark 16:17 (NKJV)-17  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

We find Apostle Paul had to instruct believers about unknown tongues and prophesying in Church services. Tongues can be used in private devotional prayer times and giving a message in tongues to edify the Church when it is interpreted. He laid out how these gifts should operate in a church setting so as not to cause confusion and disorder. We find this in 1 Corinthians chapter fourteen. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NKJV)-39  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.40  Let all things be done decently and in order. Please understand that speaking in an unknown tongue is not of the Devil. It is a gift from God. It is given to believers in Christ. Just because people may not understand it doesn’t mean it’s not from God.( 1 Cor 2:14). Do we find it in the Bible, read about it in Church history and is it present today in churches that believe in it? The answer would be yes! Luke 11:13 (NKJV)-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!” The Holy Spirit is evident when we are Born Again in what the Bible calls regeneration. Titus 3:5 (NKJV)-5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Yet after salvation there is an empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be a witness and to operate in the miraculous as well as boldness to preach the gospel of Christ. ( Luke 24:49) Acts 1:8 (NKJV)-8  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.“

Let me give you some Biblical benefits of praying in tongues or praying in the Spirit.

  • This is the initial evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. ( Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6, Acts 10:46).
  • Praying in tongues edifies yourself. ( 1 Cor 14:4). It is spiritual encouragement. It is building yourself up spiritually. Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)-25  Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. ( Prov 17:22). Speaking in tongues, your spirit by the Holy Spirit is edifying yourself spiritually.
  • Praying in tongues provides spiritual rest and refreshing. ( Isaiah 28:11-12).
  • Praying in tongues aids us in our prayer life when we don’t know what to pray for in English or a known language.( Rom 8:26-27). These groans are a deeper dimension of praying in the Holy Spirit. It is a type of travail or groaning in the Spirit. ( Gal 4:19, Isaiah 54:1). It can also mean that the Holy Spirit identifies with our groans of not knowing what or how to pray and comes to our aid. Where we can’t express ourselves in English, so we pray in the Spirit. It helps us to pray the perfect will of God in an unknown tongue.
  • Praying in tongues stimulates, increases the capacity, and enlarges and builds upon our God-given foundation of faith. (Jude 20 ). This has to do with doctrine and not just personal faith, ( Heb 6:1-2, 2 Peter 1:5-8).
  • Praying in tongues is direct communication with and to God. ( 1 Cor 14:2).1 Corinthians 14:2 (PassionNTPsa)-2 When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit.
  • Praying in tongues helped us not to be contaminated by worldly influences. It helps us to set our minds above on heavenly things(Col 3:1-3,2 Peter 1:4, Rom 8:5-6).
  • Praying in tongues is the doorway to the Gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor 12:1-11) Praying regularly in tongues helps us to be spiritually sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and His Gifts.
  • Praying in tongues is a way to magnify God and give thanks.( Acts 10:46, 1Cor 14:16-17).
  • Praying in tongues keeps, protects, watches over, and guards us in the sphere of God’s love. It keeps us in an attitude of drawing near to God’s mercy and compassion awaiting the time when we see Jesus face to face.
  • Praying in tongues brings your human tongue into submission.(Acts 2:4 ).

Let’s talk about the last benefit. We are going to look at James chapter three. The Apostle James tells us about the power of the tongues. (James 3:2-12). He shares the negative aspects of the unsanctified tongue. It can be offensive, unruly, unbridled, and full of poison, and curses. The tongue is a spark, a world of iniquity. It is boastful, it can defile the whole body, and it can’t be tamed by man. The immature man can’t control his tongue. James 3:2 (AMP)-2  For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature. The tongue is described as a bit, a rudder, and a spark. In other words, it speaks of the ability to be a small member of our body that can accomplish and do great things either positive or negative.

Now that we are Born Again we have a brand new tongue that has come under the submission of the Holy Spirit. There is a whole new spiritual dimension. Isaiah, I believe is a type and shadow of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is found in Isaiah chapter 6. Isaiah 6:5-7 (NKJV)-5  So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”6  Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.7  And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” Our tongue is cleansed! We can speak in a whole new way. What Apostle James says in chapter 3 about the destructive power of the tongue can now be a more positive and productive tongue. It can be a blessing instead of a curse. This is because we give our tongue to the Holy Spirit. We bring it into submission. It brings maturity to our conversation and how we talk. We become more Christ-like in our character and what we say. It is a spiritual bit, rudder, and spark that benefits the Kingdom of God, our prayer life, and the course of our spiritual life. We can set a godly direction for our lives as we learn and understand God’s will for us. Tongues can bring a greater awareness of the holiness and the presence of God. Praying in tongues can bring spiritual wholeness to our body rather than defile it. I believe praying in tongues can increase and even facilitate healing in our bodies. ( John 4:14, 2 Peter 1:3-4, John 7:37-39, Rom 8:11 )Life and death are in the power of the tongue. ( Prov 18:21).

It is wonderful that we can pray in tongues at any moment. Apostle Paul said ” I will pray in the Spirit“.( 1 Cor 14:14-15, Jude 20) This is different than giving a message in tongues in a Church service. This is as the Spirit wills. ( 1 Cor 12:10-11). The Holy Spirit is always willing to edify the Church.( 1 Cor. 14:5, 1 Cor. 14:12). God has given us a great gift in the Holy Spirit, and the blessing of praying in tongues or praying in the Spirit. I wonder if most Christians pray very little in the Spirit. I know I could spend more time doing so. There are so many benefits! Remember Apostle Paul said,” I pray in tongues more than you all. ( 1 Cor 14:18). Many times we are so connected to our fleshly needs, emotions, and feelings. Praying in the Spirit puts us on a whole new level. Even though our mind is unfruitful we benefit greatly spiritually. I mentioned before in a blog that it is possible to interpret at times what we are praying in tongues. ( 1 Cor 14:13, 1 Cor 14:15). That our mind may be fruitful and benefit from what we are praying in the Holy Spirit. Look at Apostle Paul’s testimony: Galatians 1:11-12 (NKJV)-11  But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.12  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. I believe Apostle Paul received revelation by praying in the Holy Spirit. That it was a catalyst in writing most of what He wrote of the New Testament.( 2 Cor 12:1, 2 Peter 1:21). We too can receive revelation from God through the Holy Spirit. I’m not talking about added to Bible doctrine. But Revelation in the sense of wisdom, direction, and understanding of scriptures. ( Eph 1:17-18).

Simply repeat this prayer out loud: Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus, and I desire to be baptized with Your Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Your Word says that I can have it, and I believe what You have said. I receive this gift by faith in Jesus’ Name.

Lift your hands, open your mouth, and yield your tongue to the Holy Spirit. Speak out in faith any syllables that come to you. You can’t speak in English and tongues at the same time. Believe you receive by faith and thank God for it.

In Christ’s love;

Brent and Linda Bushen

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