SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Praying In the Spirit

Scripture: Jude 1:20

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Introduction:

Smith Wigglesworth, an Englishman preacher who experienced a great revival—outstanding move of the Holy Spirit, raised the dead; who never read a day in his life until he became a Christian has this to say about speaking in tongues;

“The gift of tongues is a priceless treasure to me”.

General facts about speaking in the Spirit:

1.     You must be born again to speak.

2.     It is also known as praying in Tongues

3.     It is a free gift.

4.     You do not have to tarry/wait to receive it.

5.     You must be hungry for it.

6.     If you want to grow as a man or woman of prayer, then you must be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongue.

7.     Paul the apostle gave prominence to speaking in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:18

Common Objections to Praying in the Spirit (Tongues)

1.     Jesus didn’t speak in tongues:

a.      Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit which began with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost Act: 2. Thus, it was not available in the old covenant.

b.     Now, Jesus mentioned the gift of tongues in the new covenant. Mk 16:17-18 “And these signs shall follow those who believe: In my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents….”

2.     Tongues are for the devil:

a.      Mk 16: 17

b.     Lk 11: 11-13 “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will he give him a serpent instead of fish? Of if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, begin evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him”

3.     Tongues have ceased:

a.      1Cor 14:39 “Therefore brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy and do not forbid to speak with tongues”

Benefits of Tongues

1.     It is a key to spiritual growth. 1Cor 14:18. Paul the apostle was a leader.

2.     It edifies your prayer life. 1Cor14:4 Paul spoke in tongues in his private life.

                                                                                                                             

3.     It is a direct access to heaven. 1Cor 14:2. “For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto man but unto God”.

4.     You pray apart from your understanding. 1Cor 14:14. “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful”. The devil cannot cheat you.

5.     It recharges your spiritual battery. Jude 20.

6.     It strengthens you with might in the inner man. Eph3: 14-16

7.     You are praying in line with the perfect will of God. Roms8: 26-27

8.     It makes intercession for us with groaning (a prayer burden). To clarify, you are the one praying—it is your spirit praying by the help of the Holy Spirit.

9.     It eliminates selfishness in prayer. James 4:1-5

10.                       It is a means of magnifying God. Act 10:46

11.                       It helps us stay conscious of the Holy presence of God.