Before we get into this, let’s agree on one thing: God would never give us anything that would humiliate or embarrass us! God loves us very much!

However, the Bible says that God does use the “foolish things to confound the wise.” (1 Corinthians 1:27). This scripture explains why only very “smart” people have a problem with the Gifts of God as outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. 

The Lord has always been concerned that His sheep (that’s you and me) would be able to effectively communicate with Him at all times. He also knows that the battleground of the devil is our own mind. In other words, sometimes when we talk to God the enemy will bring confusion to our mind causing us to doubt what God is saying. To defeat this ploy, God gave the church a special Gift…Speaking in Other Tongues. 

Actually, there are two separate and distinct manifestation of Tongues described in God’s Word. The first is found in I Corinthians 12:10 and is known as “The Gift of Tongues.” At the end of that chapter, Paul asks, “do all speak with tongues?” Of course, the obvious answer to that is “no, not everyone has the Gift of Tongues.” However, let me be very clear about this special Gift that not everyone in the Body has: This Gift is always prophetic; it is always used in public; it must always be interpreted; and, not everyone has it.

Ever since the Bible was written, people also noticed in the Book of Acts that EVERYONE who was Baptized in the Holy Spirit also spoke in tongues. Here we see the second manifestation of Tongues. A name for this Gift has been coined over the centuries and that name is “prayer language.” This Gift is different than the Gift of Tongues in these ways: first of all, everyone can receive this Gift; secondly, it doesn’t have to be used in public; third, it is not necessarily prophetic; and, last, it does not need to be interpreted.

Now, why would God give us something like this? I mean, think about it, speaking a language in prayer that is unknown to you and you don’t understand a single word you’re saying! What’s with that?

The truth is, our God is very wise. The Bible teaches that this prayer language is for two purposes: first of all, edification and secondly, intercession. The word, “edification,” means to build up. In other words, you are built up and made to feel better just by exercising this Gift in your private prayer life. Intercession means “prayer,” only this type of prayer is very pointed and very powerful. Literally what happens when you pray in tongues is that God bypasses your mind (because you don’t understand the language) which instantly defeats the confusion that Satan is trying to place in your thinking process. Literally, God inside you uses your mouth to pray to Himself (God in heaven). You have to understand the Trinity to know how God can be inside you and me and others and up in heaven all at the same time.

And so, here is the miracle: It is God in you praying to God in heaven! And listen, when God prays to God, it is always powerful. Do you see this simple truth?

Now some have asked, “Do we HAVE to speak in tongues?”…like it was the plague or something. The answer is, no, you don’t HAVE to…YOU GET TO! No, it’s not a disease that God is trying to give you…it’s a blessing. Listen, when you pray in tongues for people you love, they get healed! They get saved! They get delivered! Who wouldn’t want something like that?

Now, let’s go back to the Gift of Tongues. I have been speaking in tongues for over 30 years but I don’t have the Gift of Tongues. Do you see it? The Gift of Tongues is only given to some people in the Body at God’s discretion. When it is exercised (always in public), it must also always be accompanied by the Gift of Interpretation (I Corinthians 12:10). When you put the two together, you have Prophecy and prophecies are the audible voice of God giving a Rhema Word right into your heart in the first person. It is God speaking to you personally instead of corporately like when someone is preaching. Now, as much as I know you love preaching, I also know that nothing is greater than God speaking to you in the first person, calling forth your name and speaking to you about your future, your life, your family, your business, your finances, and about how much He loves you. Nothing edifies us like getting a personal Word from God and that is why the Gifts of the Spirit are so vital in the Body of Christ. That is why we MUST have these Gifts flowing in our services and that is why you need a personal prayer language to use in private!

But, remember this, God is a Gentleman and He will never force you to do anything. It’s kind of like saying, “I have a brand new Cadillac in the driveway…do I HAVE to drive it?” Well, no, you don’t have to, you GET to. What a truth and what a blessing!

The truth is, all of us should feel awed that God almighty has chosen to use us in this way. Think about it…Jesus said, “It’s a good thing that I go so I can send you the ‘Comforter,’ the ‘Spirit of Truth,’ who will lead you and guide you in all truth.” He also indwells your body and the very ministry of Jesus Christ is resident inside you. That’s why Jesus said, “The things that I have done, you will do and greater things will you do because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12).

Let me challenge you…instead of always trying to figure out how you can stay away from tongues and the other Gifts, why not jump in the lake and take a chance? What have you got to lose…a little dignity? What you have to gain is watching how God will use you to heal the sick and bring comfort to those who are hurting. Stop trying to figure it out and just accept it (because it is in the Word) and start enjoying it.

God has called all of us “before the foundation of the world,” and He desires to empower us and equip us and anoint us to fulfill His kingdom purposes on this earth. Some of you might think He wouldn’t want to use you, but you are mistaken. That’s why Jesus died on the cross…to make you WORTHY to receive the Gifts and Anointing of God. The Lord is calling to you today…will you answer that call? I love you!