Continuing in Tongues
© 10-12 Colin Melbourne
Beginning Tongues
Q I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit about one week ago, how do I continue to use this Gift, not only in church but in private? Jamie
A Water baptism is a one-off, the Bible instructs us to do it once after we are saved. In contrast, God's Word tells us to be continually filled with (Baptised in) the Holy Spirit. This means we are to be soused or drenched in God's Spirit all the time, so that everything we do say and think is in line with Him. Eph. 5:18-20.
The Bible evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is tongues, and the use of tongues is under the control of the believer all the time. (1 Co. 14:26-33) We are to pray in the spirit continually. (Eph. 6:18, 1 Thes. 5:17)
So a spirit-filled believer can pray and praise in tongues whenever he wants to in private.
In public it is wise to do this softly, or in your heart, otherwise those around you will think you've gone bonkers. In worship services of spirit-filled believers the Holy Spirit will direct worship and He will administer the Gifts of the Spirit.
So in summary: In meetings, use the Gifts as the Spirit leads, in private, use tongues as often as you wish.
<< A wonderful new compilation of the very best of Ken Hagin's teaching on speaking in tongues.
Scriptural answers to all your questions on this popular subject.
What is Praying in the Spirit?
Q: How do I pray in the Spirit?
A: This is a rich topic, unstudied and neglected by many Christians, leaving them frustrated and powerless. They think it means simply praying in line with God, having the same desire. Well, that's a good thing to do, but it's far more than that. Praise God!
Eph. 6:18 commands us to pray in the Spirit always, or on all occasions, and with all kinds of prayer.
First Co. 14:14-16 explicitly states that praying in tongues is praying with the spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit prays in line with God's Spirit in you.
When you pray in your normal language, you're praying with your understanding, your mind. That's one kind of prayer. It has a place, but it's quite limited in scope, restricted by the person's understanding.
When you pray in tongues, you pray with your spirit, but your mind is unfruitful, you don't know what you are praying about. The reason God has given us this heavenly way to pray is spelled out in Ro. 8:26-27. God's Holy Spirit is interceding for you, and through you, in accordance with God's perfect will.
Isn't this too wonderful for words! The Comforter, in residence, praying for you, and through you, in harmony with Almighty God's eternal purposes.
Please don't restrict your prayer life to just your mother-tongue, receive and use the tongues Father gives you when you are Baptised in His Spirit. He will be able to use you more, and open up the way to use more of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life.
<< Kenneth Hagin's Bible Prayer Study course is packed with insights and scriptural teaching on the many ways to pray and receive Bible results.
Using your private Tongues
Q: How do you start speaking in tongues, do you just decide I want this prayer to be in tongues, and it happens? Jim
A: Yes. After you have received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues for the first time, you can then pray and praise in tongues whenever you want to. You decide to do it, and the Holy Spirit gives the utterance.
Losing Tongues
Q: If you sin, after being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, will you lose the Gift? Alexis
A: No, God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. See Ro. 11:29. Isn't that wonderful news?
However, wilful sin has a devastating effect on a believer's fellowship with Father.
Backsliders harden their hearts to His Spirit, habitually ignoring Him.
Therefore, He leaves them wallowing in their dung until they come to their senses. Until then they are of little use in reaching out to the lost.
So the Holy Spirit is hardly likely to select a backslider to speak a message in tongues in a meeting. 1 Co. 12:11.
As far as personal tongues go: Backsliders soon cease all forms of prayer. They don't lose their tongues, they stop using them.
