Reasons for speaking in tongues
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This month of March I pay tribute to a very dear friend, Elsie Riggins, for Women’s History Month. I honor her with the entire column, in memories of a real, true, honest, down-to-earth friend who left us in March of 2020. I miss her and still laugh about things we shared with each other, especially about speaking in tongues.
She thought when you speak in tongues you can do no wrong, especially swearing. She thought using the word “lie” was swearing/cursing. She would say “you are telling a story” instead of saying you are telling a lie, and I thought that was so funny. I would tease her so much about it that one day she fought back with her own tease.
However, she was sincere about me speaking in tongues and still swearing by using the word “lie.” That made me laugh even more, and I had to explain it to her in great detail. She would not let you win in a debate; however, I won this one by proving it with the word. She was so grateful, and we became even closer.
May I share some of the 10 reasons why every believer should speak in tongues?
Praying in tongues enables us to pray for the unknown. Praying in tongues gives spiritual refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12). Praying in tongues for giving thanks (I Corinthians 14:15-17). Speaking in tongues brings the tongue under subjection (James 3:8). Thank God for giving me a new language, a heavenly language that controls a swearing language (tongue).
There is a public side to tongues; however, under some conditions in churches, schools, jails, etc. Tongues are the door into the supernatural. Speaking in 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.
The more you speak in tongues, the more you pray and worship God in tongue, the more the other gifts of the Spirit manifest. The less you speak in tongues, the less manifestation of the other gifts of the Spirit you have operating in your life.
In I Corinthians 14:1 the Bible teaches us to desire spiritual gifts and to earnestly covet the best gifts (I Corinthians 12:31), and we will walk in more power and be more effective in our Christian lives. We will go through the door of the baptism in the Holy Spirit to receive the glorious gifts that God promised to those who believe His word. The Holy Spirit will show us things to come (John 16:13). When you pray in tongues the Holy Spirit gives you a vision that is clearly announced.
Praying in tongues equips us for what lies ahead in life when we yield to Him. It is one way to be built up spiritually and to be ready for whatever may come in the future. You as a Spirit-filled believer should take advantage of the gift of tongues.
It’s a supernatural means of communication with God. He has given us a supernatural way of building ourselves up spiritually. God has made speaking in tongues available to each one of His children.
In Acts 2:4, the word of God teaches that when we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. It is the initial evidence or sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a supernatural evidence of the Spirit’s indwelling.
Acts 10:46 gives more reason to yield and be convinced why every believer should speak in tongues. For spiritual edification see I Corinthians 14:2; 4, 14. To remind us of the Spirit’s indwelling, see John 14:16-17.
Praying in tongues is praying in line with God’s perfect will (Romans 8:26-27). Praying in tongues stimulates faith (Jude 20). Speaking in tongues is a means of keeping free from worldly contamination (I Corinthians 14:27-28).
When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you will speak in tongues, one time or another. You may not have the gift like some others, but you will speak in tongues when you yield to the Spirit.
Some Christians don’t believe in speaking in tongues because of a lack of knowledge, and they criticize the ones who do. We must get an understanding (as my friend Elsie did) before we make an assumption and criticize. We perish because of a lack of knowledge. Read Hosea 4:6.
Elsie and I always departed from each other with a laugh, and here is one for the road. I heard someone say that they have a problem with people who speak in tongues and won’t speak to you. I have more of a problem with people who don’t speak in tongues and won’t speak to you, because they really need the Holy Ghost. I pray for them and in tongues for them to be filled. I feel the presence of Elsie right now laughing at me, and I am laughing with her.
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“It gets greater later.” – Bevy Smith
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