I have been baptized both by water and by Spirit, and pray in other languages unknown to me. This is called "prayer language", and it is the Holy Spirit praying through me, using my mouth, to pray directly to God, and within His will. The Holy Spirit knows the desires of my heart, and speaks those desires to God. How amazing awesome is it to know that I have been given the ability, the gift, from God!!!
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24 replies on this topic
PutHisBloodOnIt - 2/5/11 @ 6:49 PM
another member here named Japlace was also blessed with this gift this past summer, he can relate to your wonderful experience.
Ariel - 2/5/11 @ 7:31 PM
I have also prayed in tongues, I've been baptized in the Holy Spirit and am being baptized in water in May. When I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, it was the most amazing feeling! Since then, I've spoke in tongues twice, but I've tried many other times, and just felt like I was speaking giberish. Do you ever have that feeling?? How do you know when you should speak in tongues?
Miss Nicolette - 2/5/11 @ 9:05 PM
The Holy Spirit is soo amazing! I have the gift of tongues as well and... it's a hard thing to describe, but it has been an incredible blessing! Praying in tongues to me is a sweet, intimate time of fellowship with God, just talking to him as the Spirit leads.
Princess of God - 2/6/11 @ 8:29 PM
@ Ariel- once you receive the gift of tongues, you can pray at any time, every day, twice a day-- whenever you'd like! The bible says that when you receive the baptism of the holy spirit, you will receive power. Don't worry if it doesn't make sense to you, it's not supposed to. :) The holy spirit is interceding on your behalf. I strongly encourage you to pray in the spirit more often!
PHBOI- If you would like to receive the gift of tongues, just ask God for it! When I received it, nobody laid hands on me or anything. I just desired it strongly, so the Lord granted me the desires of my heart. It happened one Thursday at church in the middle of worship. I now pray in the holy spirit every day. I actually pray more in the spirit than I do in English... Lol.
Ariel - 2/6/11 @ 8:48 PM
but do you ever feel like it's gibberish? Because the first time, when i was baptized in the Spirit, I truly felt confident that it was the Spirit speaking through me and that it was a language, but I've tried since then and I just don't feel it
Princess of God - 2/6/11 @ 8:57 PM
Well, if you view logically, then yes, it will sound like it's gibberish. But the thing w/ praying in tongues is that it's achieved by faith and through faith. Therefore, your logic is out the door. When you pray in the spirit, put your mind in blank and just allow the spirit of God to flow through you. At first, yeah you're probably gonna wonder what in the world it is you're doing, and that's normal, lol. Just don't allow the enemy to put those doubts in your mind. The devil absolutely hates it when we pray in the spirit! So do it more often!
Miss Nicolette - 2/6/11 @ 10:03 PM
My pastor talked about this verse today and I think it will really help. Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Neil - 2/7/11 @ 12:36 PM
Just something to think about as a balance to the pro-tongues comments (not being argumentative, just informative)....it doesn't hurt to hear both sides of a topic, right?:
The Bibles says that the "groanings" in Roman 8:26 "cannot be uttered", whereas the Speaking in Tongues on the Day of Pentecost were called "utterances" (Acts 2:4) - hence, the two are not the same. The tongues on the Day of Pentecost were also languages of other countries (not babblings) which is why the people listening to the Apostles were amazed to hear the Gospel in their own "tongue". Plus, Romans 8:26 says the Holy Spirit intercedes only "in our infirmities" - that's why you don't sense the Holy Spirit "feeling" when you say your general prayers because the intercession isn't occurring on those occasions. Could it be possible that reading Roman 8:26 carefully shows that the "intercession" and "groanings" by the Holy Spirit here isn't Speaking in Tongues?
Also, Speaking in Tongues are "not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" (1 Cor 14:22) - so could tongues be meant as a sign to the unbeliever and not the believer?
......and....."except ye utter by the tongue words that are easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air" (1 Cor 14:9) - could any Speaking in Tongues without understanding never make it to God, but rather just dissipates into the air?
Just in case anyone finds that the teaching of modern-day Speaking in Tongues doesn't match up with what the Bible teaches about Speaking in Tongues, it is ok, don't beat yourself up about it....the two teachings are very different. You receive the Holy Spirit at your salvation (Eph 1:13) and so you can be led by the Holy Spirit in powerful ways from that point on without any need for modern-day Speaking in Tongues. Let me know if you want to discuss more about it.
Japlace - 2/7/11 @ 1:54 PM
"Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,a you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit,b but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church." - 1 Corinthians 14:1-4
Notice how Paul says tongues is for self edification (strength), but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. (read further into this chapter if you are curious, or ask questions lol)
I encourage you who have the gift of the Holy Spirit by the evidence of speaking in tongues to press into God more. For once you have the gift of HIS language, you can then begin to be intimate with God. In other words, be personally communicating with God. He will tell you things, but your ears will tell you as Paul says, "it will all be mysterious", but your spirit is being edified (which by definition is being instructed).
This isn't a word just for you, but for me as well! I have so much to learn from God, and from you!
Don't be afraid of it, HOWEVER if you do desire the gift of other tongues, do not just move your mouth and say "I boughta' Kia shoulda' boughta' Hyundai" and say thats speaking in tongues. Cuz that is vain. God puts the words in your mouth, we simply ask for Him to.
Neil - 2/7/11 @ 2:47 PM
Thanks for your comments - I need your help to find some verses about what you said.
1 Cor 14:1-4 explains how the Corinthian church was using tongues for "self edification" which is why Paul says it is "praying to the air" (1 Cor 14:9) and further on in 1 Cor 14:12 he says that ALL spiritual gifts (not just prophecy as you say) should "seek to edifying the church". All spiritual gifts are for the edifying of others (1 Cor 12:7 and Rom 14:9)....even love "seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:5). I seems to me that self edification is the opposite to what the spiritual gifts are for. Can you show me a Bible verse where self edification is encouraged?.....ta.
You also mention the "gift of HIS (God's) language" which throughout Scripture was not the modern-day speaking in tongues but rather was Hebrew (Jesus spoke in Greek as well). All the "tongues of angels" (1 Cor 13:1) recorded in Scripture was in Hebrew....not babblings. Interesting stuff. Any verses that show God/Jesus or angels spoke in any babblings?
I am unaware of any Bible verse that says Speaking in Tongues allows you to "begin to be intimate with God" - could you give me a verse? I thought the intimacy and "mystery" began at salvation (Eph 1:8-9) - no Speaking in Tongues needed.
Other than at salvation (when ALL Christians receive the Holy Spirit regardless of whether they speak in tongues or not), I am not aware that the Holy Spirit is a gift in any other way - could you give me a verse?
Also you say that we ask for Speaking in Tongues and yet in 1 Cor 12:11 we are told that the Holy Spirit decides what gifts to give us - could you give me a verse that shows we choose the spiritual gifts we want?....ta.
I appreciate your help in finding these verses.
PutHisBloodOnIt - 2/7/11 @ 2:50 PM
@Princess of God I think everyone would love the gift of tongues, but everyone is given different spiritual gifts and some never recieve the gift of tongues,maybe one day it will happen for me or maybe not.
Japlace - 2/7/11 @ 4:36 PM
In verse 2 if you would turn to it with me, it says "For if you have the ability to speak in tongues,a you will be talking only to God" If its only to God, then God understands it, and is His own language. Jesus himself said that (this is directly from Mark 16:17) "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues". Not Greek, but new tongues. You can call it babblings if you will, that is YOUR interpretation and I will respect that.
"I thought the intimacy and "mystery" began at salvation (Eph 1:8-9) - no Speaking in Tongues needed." - Neil
You answered this yourself! It did begin at salvation. So why does it end there? We are to grow and learn more and be intrigued by God more and more AFTER salvation! It begins at the salvation! Good point :)
"So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying." - 1 Corinthians 14:13
This passage and also Matthew 7:-8 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.". And then in verse 9, 10 and 11: “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." Look at this last sentence, my brother!
Hope these help you in your "finding these verses"..
Ariel - 2/7/11 @ 6:24 PM
Is there anyone else who feels the insecurity that you're just fooling yourself when you speak in tongues? I want the feeling that I got when I was baptized, but I have only ever gotten that once after that
Neil - 2/9/11 @ 5:45 AM
[this comment seems to be out of order - it follows on from "KingsKid - 2/8/11 @ 5:09 PM"]
If tongues are "just like English prayer", then pray them in English - no difference....you can't have it both ways.
Tongues without an interpreter definitely isn't Biblical because it would be silent (1 Corinthians 14:28: "But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself, and to God").
There is no Bible verse that says speaking in tongues makes "God's power descend on you mightily"....modern-day tongues are obviously different to Biblical tongues. Ever thought that if speaking in modern-day tongues doesn't seem real, it's because they arn't real?....let's not blame Satan.
Ariel - 2/9/11 @ 11:49 AM
@Neil, the Holy Spirit knows God's will and knows what we need, it prays through us to God for specific things
Neil - 2/8/11 @ 7:51 AM
Hi Ariel - your spirituality is never measured in "feelings", so never fear if you don't "feel" the Holy Spirit's presence - He is there with you because He promises to be there with you (John 14:16-17 - no speaking in tongues needed) and if we seek self-edification and the subsequent "feeling" it creates, it can turn out to feed our pride and fleshly desires and not holy, sanctified desires. Remember, the Holy Spirit never draws attention to Himself, He only draws attention to Christ (John 16:13-14).
Hi Japlace - Thankyou for your answer....you quote 1 Cor 14:2 in part which indeed states the person speaking in tongues directs their "speech" to God, but what you have added to the verse is that supposedly God is listening to the tongues - you just assume this. Here is the verse in full: "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." Indeed, if you don't know what you are saying when you speak in modern-day "tongues", then you don't know if there is anything being said that is worth listening to. There is no mention that God listens to this babble - 1 Cor 14:2 doesn't say He does. There is no Bible verse I am aware of that says God listens to any of the modern-day babble "tongues" (Roman 8:26 talks of "groanings which cannot be uttered" so these are clearly not speaking in tongues). To the contrary, 1 Cor 14:9 says that the self-edifying tongues is just "speaking into the air". All spiritual gifts are to edifying the church, not the self, so the self-edifying babble has no spiritual purpose whatsoever.
The "signs" you mention in Mark 16:17 indeed includes the "sign" of tongues - which (if we accurately quote the verse and not add extra stuff to it) is only a "sign" and not a "prayer"....the speaking in tongues "sign" is clarified in 1 Cor 14:22 as a "sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" - it is a sign to the unbeliever (no mention here of self-edifying prayers to God). Even the previous verse (1 Cor 14:21) is a quote from Isaiah that explains that the "other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people" was not self-edifying babbling prayers to God, but rather was the Assyrian language as the Assyrian army invaded the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 721BC. The Israelites at the time failed to take heed to the "sign" back then in 721BC and Paul explains that the Israelites in the First Century AD also failed to take heed to the "sign" which Jesus spoke of. In both instances (as well as in Mark 16:17), the tongues are only a sign - not a prayer....and all examples of speaking in tongues in the Bible are languages that already exist in the world (albeit, unknown to the speaker) - not babblings.
The "gifts" you mention in Matthew 7:8-11 are for daily living requirements (there is no mention of speaking in tongues in that passage) and with an honest reading, these are not the spiritual gifts outlined in 1 Cor 12:7-11 - the latter is given by the Holy Spirit "to every man severally as He will" and is "to profit withal")....in other words, we don't choose these spiritual gifts (even if you ask for them) and these gifts are not for self-edification. Eph 4:7 also explains that the gift of Christ and his grace is given to us by God - not as we choose ("But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.")
Having received the Holy Spirit at salvation (Eph 1:8) which gives me "all wisdom and prudence", "the mystery of God's will", "good pleasure" and "purpose in God", there is nothing more I need from the Holy Spirit - I have it all in one hit at the beginning (....no "second blessing" or future "baptism of the Spirit" or "drip-feeding"). I do grow and learn more and be intrigued by God more and more AFTER salvation as I overcome sin in my life and yield my will to God's will, but the spiritual capabilities are already there from the start of my Christian life. To achieve the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph 4:12-13), there is no modern-day self-edifying babblings mentioned.
The other downside to it is that it makes Christians look like crazy loons in the eyes of the unsaved (1 Cor 14:23). This has turned many unsaved people off the Christian faith unfortunately.
literck - 2/8/11 @ 1:34 PM
Ariel don't let the nay sayers prevent you from speaking in tounges. There are some very good bible studies on UPCI.org about this topic and many others. There are different types of speaking in tounges as related in these posts. Tounges with interpretations being the most useful of them as they are God speaking to his people through you in his language which is then interpreted by another into your language. The first time you experienced it was a saving moment and would have been more powerful for you. Don't worry about what you sound like. In our church most people speak it daily. You are talking to God not the people around you so don't worry. He understands you. Don't worry so much about the level of feeling. That is dependent on your relationship with Him. As you grow in Christ your contact with God will be stronger and you will feel it more. Have you been baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins yet? If not you can use the church locater on the same website to locate one nearby who will be happy to do it for you. Good luck in your new found walk with Christ. Keep in the race and you shall receive your reward in the end.
Love in Christ
Steve
Japlace - 2/8/11 @ 2:38 PM
@Neil. I won't continue lecture about things you obviously don't want to consider :)
"The other downside to it is that it makes Christians look like crazy loons in the eyes of the unsaved (1 Cor 14:23). This has turned many unsaved people off the Christian faith unfortunately." - Neil
We shouldn't care what people think about us, for it isn't us who save, for it is CHRIST IN US. So if God's Spirit works in us, and we happen to look like "fools" in the eyes of men then it shouldn't concern us, for we are living with His Spirit.
I don't want to sound like a broken record. I have given my opinion :]
Ariel - 2/8/11 @ 2:52 PM
@literck, see, my speaking in tongues has never been interpreted. But I have only done it in public once. I guess I'm just scared, because I don't want to be saying a bunch of non sense when I think I'm speaking in tongues but I'm not. What do you mean "baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins"? Sorry, I've just never heard it put like that. Is that like, being baptized in water?
KingsKid - 2/8/11 @ 5:09 PM
I have been baptized by the Spirit as well and it is an amazing experience! I have not yet been water- baptized, but I definitely want to soon take that step as well.
@Ariel: Sometimes I have wondered if it was real when I spoke in tongues. However, I think that is a trick of the devil to get you worried you aren't actually speaking in tongues and are fooling around. Like some others here have said: try to keep your mind on Jesus Christ and allow His Power to flow thru you while you are speaking to Him in this wonderful prayer language. It is just like 'English' prayer. Some days it feels like you aren't getting thru, and other days you feel like you have really connected with God. I think one thing that helps is to regularily pray to God in English (or whatever your main language is!)and in the Spirit.
I have never been interpreted either. But I do know that when the Sprirt of God is moving strongly, if I can close my eyes, get my focus on Him, and pray in the Spirit, His Power descends on me mightily.
I can't thank God enough for His power and touch on my life.