PAPER PULPIT: Seven reasons why every believer should speak in tongues

EDITOR'S NOTE: This Paper Pulpit religion commentary was originally published on April 5, 2008.

The Apostle Paul wrote and spoke much about the subject of speaking in “other tongues.” And he apparently practiced what he preached. He said, “ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all” — I Corinthians 14:18. The purpose of this particular article is to set forth seven reasons why every Christian should speak in tongues and to help believers see the blessings that can be theirs through daily appropriating the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

REASON ONE: 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. Speaking in tongues is an initial evidence, or sign, of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” — Acts 2:4.

REASON TWO: Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to continue the practice of speaking with other tongues in their worship of God. He also encouraged them to speaking tongues in their individual prayer life as a means of spiritual edification or building up. The Bible says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself” — I Corinthians 14:14. Paul also continues in the same passage, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays.” The Amplified Bible reads, “My spirit, by the Holy Spirit within me, prays.” God is Spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, Who is Spirit. When you speak in tongues, you are talking to Him by divine supernatural means.

REASON THREE: Speaking with other tongues keeps us continually aware of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Every day that is bound to affect the way you think and live.

REASON FOUR: Speaking in tongues eliminates the possibility of selfishness entering your prayer life. For instance, if I pray a prayer out of my own mind and thinking, it may be unscriptural and it may be selfish. Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought” — Romans 8:26. He didn’t say we didn’t know how to pray. We are instructed to pray to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:23-24). However, just because I know how to pray doesn’t mean that I know what to pray for as I ought. So Paul said, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself (Himself) market intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” — Romans 8:26. The Holy Ghost is not going to do our praying for us. He is sent to help us pray. Speaking with other tongues is praying as the Spirit gives utterance. It is Spirit-directed praying, and it eliminates the possibility of selfishness in our prayers.

REASON FIVE: It helps believers learn to trust God. The Bible says, “Building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” —Jude 20. Speaking in tongues stimulates faith and helps us learn how to trust God more fully. For example, faith must be exercised to speak with tongues because the Holy Spirit specifically directs the words we speak. We don’t know what the next word will be. We have to trust God for that. Trusting God in one area helps us to learn to trust Him in other areas.

REASON SIX: It provides a way for you to pray about things that you would not think to pray about or aren’t’ even aware of. We already know that the Holy Spirit helps us pray for particular situations when we don’t know how to pray about them. In addition, the Holy Spirit, who knows everything, everywhere, can pray for us for things about which our natural mind knows nothing.

REASON SEVEN: James 3:8 says, “But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Yielding your tongue to the Holy Spirit to speak with other tongues is a big step toward being able to fully yield all your members to God. If you can yield your tongue, you can yield any member of your body to God. Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. God has given us this wonderful spiritual gift to bless us, edify us, and refresh us throughout our lives on this earth. Let’s remember what God has provided and enjoy the benefits of speaking in tongues.

Pastor Willie Wilson teaches “Faith Class” Mondays at 5 p.m. at The Tabernacle, 1301 S. 11th St., Gadsden, AL 35904 (just off Black Creek Parkway). All are invited to attend. Please call 543-9317 for more information.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Seven reasons why every believer should speak in tongues