The Mystery of Praying in Tongues
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1 Cor. 14:14 KJV)
Praying in tongues is probably the weirdest or most bizarre thing in Christianity, yet it is the most mysterious Christian activity. Although there are questions, doubts, and controversies about this activity, this devotional will focus on the activity itself and its role in our lives.
The mystery of tongues begins with the mystery of spoken language. Though amongst the easiest things we do, our ability to communicate is one of the most extraordinary operations of the human intellect or reason. In fact, it is one of the pivotal expressions of God’s image in human beings. It has two significant steps. First, the mind conceives a thought or idea: it transforms realities (spiritual or natural things) into thoughts. Second, it then uses words or gestures to express that idea in a way another human being can comprehend.
God interrupts the normal process of spoken language during praying in tongues. He begins by suppressing human reason without making us unconscious and then conceives realities as thoughts in our minds. We do not know the things He has conceived as thoughts in our minds. However, He then allows us to exercise our will to speak those words, still not knowing what we are saying, in a language we have never learned—except He gave us understanding.
Why would God do this? Speaking in tongues is the only activity in the believer where the Spirit has complete control over the individual; He takes His spiritual mysteries, conceives them as thoughts in the believer without human interruption, and then allows the believer to speak forth these mysteries! (1 Corinthians 14:2). When the believer speaks these mysteries, they unleash power from within that builds them up like an architect builds a magnificent house (1 Corinthians 14:3). At other times, they speak God’s pure words as prophecy, which is most potent to build up others because it is free of human corruption.
Pray in tongues. Again, I encourage you, pray in tongues.
Read more: What Speaking in Tongues Does to Your Spirit.
How does spoken language typically operate as above?
I understand there is confusion, controversy, pollution, and even corruption of this gift. However, God has used a weird thing to make us do the most mysterious of all Christian activities, full of glory and power. Pray in tongues. If you have questions(I know there are many), please contact me here.
Ask the Father to help you pray in tongues more than you have done before. If you do not yet pray in tongues, ask Him to give you this gift.
Recommended
- The Two Modes of Operation of Speaking in Tongues
- Divided Tongues of Fire: What does it mean?
- Three Steps to Receive the Baptism of the Spirit and Speak in Tongues
- My Story of Struggles and Disappointments in Seeking the Gift of Speaking in Tongues
- Praying in Tongues Builds You Up
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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