1. Gifted Part 4 Gifts of Speaking Part 1

3. Tongues and Interpretation

4. Tongues The ability to receive and impart a spiritual message in a language the recipient never learned. For other members of the body to be edified, this message must be interpreted either by the recipient (1 Cor. 14:13) or by another person with the gift of interpretation (1 Cor. 14:26-28).

5. Because of the controversial nature of this gift, here are several observations: a.Paul qualified the public use of this gift, stating that in a meeting of the church, two or at the most three could speak in a tongue, it must be done in turn, and a person with the gift of interpretation must be present so that the body would be edified (1 Cor. 14:26-28).

6. b. There are a number of differences between the manifestation of tongues at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) and its use in Corinth (1 Cor. 14), and these differences suggest that the two are not identical.

7. c. In his list of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul spoke of kinds of tongues. This, coupled with the statements in 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-15, 28 has led many to distinguish a private use of tongues, often called a prayer language (1 Cor. 14:14-15), from the public use of tongues which must be interpreted. Paul wrote that if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God (1 Cor. 14:28).

8. Interpretation of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10, 30; 14:5, 13, 26-28)--The ability to translate into the vernacular a message publicly uttered in a tongue. This gift may be combined with the gift of tongues (1 Cor. 14:13), or it can operate separately (1 Cor. 14:26-28).

9. Why should we pray in tongues?

10. 1. Speaking in Tongues Helps us Pray According to the Will of God The Holy Spirit also helps us to pray according to the will of God. We may have promptings to pray for something, but we're not certain how to approach the issue. The Holy Spirit wants to help us formulate our prayers according to the will of God.

11. In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. (Romans 8:26-27)

12. 2. Speaking in Tongues Edifies the Speaker He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. (1 Corinthians 14:4) The term "edifies" seems to convey the same sense as to a battery being charged. In a way, you could say "He that speaks in tongues charges himself, that would convey the same sense of the scripture. Speaking in tongues seems to provide a type of "spiritual power recharge."

13. 3. Speaking in Tongues Allows us to Pray out the Mysteries of the Divine Plan Tongues helps us pray for an unknown situation. For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2)

14. John Wesley made the statement that "It seems God is limited by our prayer life - that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him." We see echoes of this principle in Jesus' statement that we should pray that the Lord of the harvest send out laborers into the field. It seems that God asks us, to ask Him to do that which He wants to do. Why doesn't He just do it as an act of divine Providence? The answer to that takes us back to John Wesley's statement. It seems that God uses His people to pray out the divine plan.

15. There are some things that need prayer that we don't think about, but God does. Praying in tongues helps us pray out the mysteries of God's plan. He can help us pray for those things that need prayer that we don't know about. Sometimes, the Spirit of God will simply prompt a person to pray and they may have no idea about what they're praying. Sometimes, at unexpected moments the Spirit may strongly urge a person to pray. The person only knows that they need to pray. They may not even be aware of what they are praying about, they are speaking mysteries in the spirit to God.

16. 4. Speaking in Tongues gives us Spiritual Refreshing But he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language; to whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to weary;” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12) In these days of hectic stress, time constraints, busy schedules, and all the other pressures that time saving devices bring us, we often need that inner refreshing that only time alone with God can give us. Praying in tongues refreshes, recharges and reinvigorates us spiritually.

17. 5. Speaking in Tongues Magnifies God For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. (Acts 10:46) When we magnify something, we make it bigger. Yet, we know that God doesn't change, God is not going to get any bigger. It is our perception of God that is altered, God remains the same. Speaking in tongues alters our perception of God.

18. 7. Speaking in Tongues Exercises, Activates and Stimulates our Faith Exercising your faith develops and builds it up. When we pray, sing, talk, worship or praise in tongues it is by faith. By faith we speak out, by faith we trust the Holy Spirit for the next word. Speaking in tongues is a faith workout. But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20)

19. When we pray in tongues, we have to lean upon and trust the Holy Spirit for the next word. Learning to trust God in one area has a carry over effect and helps us to trust him in other areas. Learning how to step out in faith and speak in tongues helps us to step out in faith in other areas.