By Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin
The Apostle Paul wrote and spoke much about the subject of speaking in other tongues, and he apparently practiced what he preached, for he said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all” (1 Cor. 14:18).
The purpose of this particular article is to briefly 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 Number 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 all FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).
Reason Number 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 speak in tongues in their individual prayer life as a means of spiritual edification, or building up. The Bible says, “He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself . . .” (1 Cor. 14:4).
Paul also stated in First Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, MY SPIRIT PRAYETH, but my understanding is unfruitful.” Notice he said, “My spirit prays.”
The Amplified Bible reads, “My spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays . . . .” God is a Spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, who is a Spirit. When you speak in tongues, you are talking to Him by divine, supernatural means.
Reason Number Three
A third reason people should speak with other tongues is that speaking with tongues keeps us continually aware of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling Presence. Not only is speaking with tongues the initial sign or evidence of the Holy Spirit’s infilling, but continuing to pray and to worship God in tongues helps us to be ever-conscious of His indwelling Presence. And if you are conscious of the indwelling Presence of the Holy Ghost every day, that is bound to affect the way you think and live.
Reason Number Four
Speaking in tongues eliminates the possibility of selfishness entering our prayer life. For instance, if I pray a prayer out of my own mind and out of my own thinking, it may be unscriptural. It may be selfish.
Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought. . .” (Rom. 8:26). He didn’t say we didn’t know how to pray, because we are instructed to pray to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:23–24).
But 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] makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 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 Number Five
A fifth reason believers should speak with tongues is that it helps them learn to trust God more fully. It builds one’s faith to speak in tongues. 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 supernaturally directs the words we speak. You see, we don’t know what the next word will be—we have to trust God for that. And trusting God in one area helps us learn to trust Him in another area.
Reason Number Six
A sixth reason every believer should speak in tongues is that it provides a way for you to pray about things that you wouldn’t 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 those situations. In addition, the Holy Spirit, Who knows everything, can pray things through us for things about which our natural mind knows nothing.
Reason Number Seven
A seventh reason why every believer should speak with tongues is found in James 3:8. “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 of your members to God; for 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 receive what God has provided and enjoy the benefits of speaking in tongues!
Copyright © Kenneth Hagin Ministries – Used by Permission
Comments
Praying in the Holy Spirit has allowed me to stay filled with the love of God concerning people who have mistreated me many times. The Holy Soirit is the only one that can. help us when we’re struggling with others
I am so blessed with this write up.. It has enlightened me the more. For sometimes now I have been teaching on the Holy Spirit, but I think this writing has brought more freshness to my spirit.. Thank you Jesus.. God bless you man of God for sharing.. The light is brighter now
Like to have material on yielding to the Holy Spirit. And knowing the holy Spirit more
This is great, am so blessed to be here and get this understanding. Kindly can I get a mail on full details this topic?
Greetings I would love to ask for permission to preach this sermon please thank you
Raymond – Preach it man. Go. Copyrights do not stop you from preaching from this article or notes. We love you. Rex
I’m really blessed being here.
Please I need more articles on speaking in unknown tongues.
Thank You
I’m glad to be here at a time as this.
I’m really blessed.
Please I would like to get a mail on everything on tongues.
Thank You
Ambrose youmare speaking my mind hristians really dont die like the bible says i have never felt daddy hagin is gone when i read his books ,and if he can end sucessfully like dis hmmm by GOds grace i will too and we will all see each other over there in Jesus name amen
God bless i really feel touched by this topic cos its so crucial to our christian race u cant excel witout d holyspirit
GOD BLESS U all
Good article. Send me more on speaking in tongues – books etc
Brenda – I sent you an email. Rex
Good article enlightenment for the body of Christ.
Go to awmi.net and click on “Audio Teachings” under “Audio”.
Scroll down and you will see “The New You” and “The Positive Ministry of The Holy Spirit”.These two series are the best.You will learn in a few hours what takes most people a lifetime.
Ps.Also, as you start to speak in your heavenly language after listening to these teachings, try doing it as you listen to your favorite worship songs.Look up Bethel music on YouTube.They have the best songs.Find the ones you like and play them as you sing the melodies to the Father in tongues.You will have great encounters with him.
Tony
Thank you Tony! Those are great suggestions!
Glorious.
Please Email Everything You Can Find On Tongues.
Thanks.
Stanley – I sent you an email with several books. Rex
Please I need more books on praying in the Holy Spirit
Amen.Try this when you have time.Put on your favorite worship song and sing
the melody in tongues to our Father in thankfulness for who he is and what he has done.Keep your mind on him while you sing.In doing this your mind will never be unfruitful and you will have wonderful encounters with him that will last a lifetime.
You will experience him in a much deeper way.It will be personal to you and to him.Blessings on you, Anthony
GLORY BE TO GOD FOR THIS GIFT.
FaithMechanic, first thank you for this website. It’s articles have helped me have a greater understanding of many things… I keep reading! Second, did you write that article? If so, can you link me to it? Thank you kind Sir!
Prayers for you and your blessed work!
Catherine, I felt the very same way when I received the Gift of the Holy Spirit. My heart knew something was missing. I was a teenager full of un doubting belief when I received this Great Gift. I went to the alter before my church and the congregation layed hands upon me and prayed. I received the Gift of Holy Spirit. I understand now what it means to go to Him as a Child. I truly believed anything and everything about God and still do. When we are children we are open books and believe anything you tell us without question. There it is! Believe in Him without question or doubt. This article however has given me the most understanding about this Gift than I have ever had. Catherine I will pray for you. Go to a church where they believe in the Holy Spirit and put yourself before God and lets the elders of the church pray for you. There was a local church where I live selling CDs of How to learn to Speak in Tongues. Please know that the Gift of the Holy Spirit does not come from practicing off a CD (I couldn’t believe when I heard of such) but it comes from GOD. Again, I will pray for you my friend. It is such a Joyful Gift… That is what I feel when I think of it… A Joyful Gift! My heart fills just speaking to you about it. In His Name Jesus Christ I pray. 🙂
victoria, God bless you, where u from?.
God fill me with the Holy Ghost Spirit… I’m asking for a gift God to speak in tongues
Hi my soul so desires to speaks in tongues what can I do ? I believe in God but feel like something is missing in me please help me
Ever since i started reading the texts and materials by Kenneth Hagin, there is this yearning and quest to know more of God from His word. Daddy Hagin of blessed memory is still alive! Thank you Jesus for raising such man as Kenneth Haggin for the church!
Ambrose – I totally agree
Kenneth E Hagin has said it all. It’s there. Just study it and be blessed.
Tony, my dear brother…you do not baptize people in the Holy Spirit – JESUS is the Baptizer. You are merely the vessel He uses to guide people on how to receive.
Most sincerely,
Yours in Christ…Laura
I am a believer, but I can not pray or speak in tongues, and I feel like my prayer life is missing that part. how do I get to a place where I am able to speak in tongues?
Sharon – I am going to write an article on this. It is really easy. You pray to ask and receive the Holy Spirit and then you start speaking and making sounds that are not in your normal language. It will come. The Biblical model is “they spoke and God gave the utterance. Send me an email and we can talk. I just came back from Liberia Africa and we got many young people to speak in tongues. rex (at) hopefaithprayer (dot) come
Is speaking in tongues not a gift from God? Is every christian expected to speak in tongues? I am a believer and really want to speak in tongues but don’t. Does my not speaking in tongues mean my baptism was in vain?
Hope this is helpful to you, be blessed 🙂 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, what is it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QQn3_So0Yg&feature=youtube_gdata_player