The amount of time spent speaking in

[rocknanchor]

Tremendous! Again, Jesus, the 'same yesterday, today and forever' looking into the affairs on His people, glory to God. Bring us to that place of your delight Lord, cause our intent to be changed by looking to the image of Christ in all things! In Jesus name.

 

[rocknanchor]

Do you suppose the predominant Pentecostal world focus is derailed from the whole spiritual preference He intended for us as we do, preferring tongues so we could secure prophesy, which glosses over His definition of initial focus, focus on prophesy to secure tongues spontaneity?

I desire you all to speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy. (1 Cor 14:5)

I hope that doesn't sound like a wish to diminish tongues any more than what the Spirit lays out here.

 

[ARBITER01]

This thread isn't meant to make anyone feel guilty, etc. Some believers wonder if the amount of time spent speaking in tongues is important. Though not specified, it must be noteworthy because

"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"

[FONT=Georgia, Garamond, serif]I Cor. 14:18


[/FONT]

I don't spend any time "speaking" in tongues, but I spend many hours each day "praying" in tongues.

 

[rocknanchor]

I don't speak any time "speaking" in tongues, but I spend many hours each day "praying" in tongues.

I see your point, as it is without question, prayer to us. Does the unbeliever to whom tongues is ''for a sign'' know that? Of course not. If God used that spoken sign to instruct them, then they too would come to know the nature of that spoken tongue is prayer.

 

[ARBITER01]

I see your point, as it is without question, prayer to us. Does the unbeliever to whom tongues is ''for a sign'' know that? Of course not. If God used that spoken sign to instruct them, then they too would come to know the nature of that spoken tongue is prayer.

The speaking portion of the gift is mainly for corporate use, the prayer portion is personal use. If there is going to be a sign for unbelievers, it will be with the corporate speaking portion.

 

[rocknanchor]

The speaking portion of the gift is mainly for corporate use, the prayer portion is personal use. If there is going to be a sign for unbelievers, it will be with the corporate speaking portion.

You sure? I mean, it appears quite surely in the contrary (1 Corinthians 14:23). The plural used in v-22 would therefore be intended for all-inclusive, wherever, however, "to them that believe not".

 

[ARBITER01]

You sure? I mean, it appears quite surely in the contrary (1 Corinthians 14:23). The plural used in v-22 would therefore be intended for all-inclusive, wherever, however, "to them that believe not".

Praying in tongues is a personal thing, between you and GOD.

Speaking in tongues is by The Holy Spirit in the corporate assembly when we come together.

 

[Richard T]

Heres a few thoughts on the gift and the personal prayer language in tongues.
The gift various kinds of tongues is different than the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs a tongue for an interpretation during a service. I think that is part of the gift and when paul says not everyone speaks in tongues he is refering to the gift various kinds of tongues.
Another left out part of the gift various kinds if tongues is the " god hath set" ...diversities of tongues." In the old testament tribes of tongues and nations occurs. Part of the gift diversities of tongues is the ability to be a cultural connector for the body of Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit impresses some with diversities of tongues to be links in the church. It is a lowly gift but nonetheless vital for helping with unity and assimulation.

The most prolific tongue talker I ever heard of was the late Dave Roberson, who ministered mostly out of Tulsa. Daveroberson.org
Plenty of teaching on tongues in his media stuff found there for free.
A big theme was when you pray ask for interpretation of the mysteries you are speaking. He as well as others believe too that rom 8 ..all things work togethee for good" are predicated on the believer praying with the Holy Spirit interceding according to the will of God with groanings too deep to utter. V 26

Roberson at times spent days praying in tongues alone seeking the things of God. Hagin, Oral Roberts, T.L. Osborn, and others recognized the importance of the personal prayer language. Anyone who doubts should try a couple of hours a day for a week or two and the positive differences should manifest. I admit too that other than short periods I have never taken personal prayer in tongues as seriously as I should. Ill admit it is easier in a wave of the Holy Spirit but it does not require anything but determination and faith to push through.

 

[rocknanchor]

Roberson at times spent days praying in tongues alone seeking the things of God. Hagin, Oral Roberts, T.L. Osborn, and others recognized the importance of the personal prayer language.

Oh but, didn't they help so many in our walk with Him?

Anyone who doubts should try a couple of hours a day for a week or two and the positive differences should manifest. I admit too that other than short periods I have never taken personal prayer in tongues as seriously as I should. Ill admit it is easier in a wave of the Holy Spirit but it does not require anything but determination and faith to push through.

Right, guess all too many never took to heart when the Master said ''without doubt''. But on the peace involved in that press, it must be understood, it is a war that ensues with prayer with Him, not apart, I'm sure you agree! Paul must of had that blessing early on to know us well enough to say ''I thank God I speak in tongues more that you all'' (1Cr 14:18). So since early on then, this is not something that can be schooled into us for conditioning, but always always of enablement by Him.

 

[Richard T]

Oh but, didn't they help so many in our walk with Him?

Right, guess all too many never took to heart when the Master said ''without doubt''. But on the peace involved in that press, it must be understood, it is a war that ensues with prayer with Him, not apart, I'm sure you agree! Paul must of had that blessing early on to know us well enough to say ''I thank God I speak in tongues more that you all'' (1Cr 14:18). So since early on then, this is not something that can be schooled into us for conditioning, but always always of enablement by Him.

Yes, it is all enabled by God but can we press into it as we trust God? I believe so. Here is more of that reasoning and a couple of examples.

Rom 12:6 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;" Ok, and since faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word (rhema) of God. if you want to increase that prophetic gift, then get to where you hear from God to bring more faith. By the way, more faith in prophecy would mean a greater and greater level of exhortation, more precise words as well, that pertain to things of greater importance.

If the baptism of the spirit with evidence in tongues is given to all believers as the AOG among others believe, then all have a chance to really plow into speaking in trongues too. Paul does says you can speak in tongues to give thanks, but it is wrong to do it because others will not understand. (I Cor 14:16). It is interesting though that Paul does say it gives thanks well enough. v17. That among other things seems proof that we have the reins as to when we speak in tongues that is not part of a service where it will be interpreted. This latter part is as the Holy Spirit wills as part of the gift various kinds of tongues, the former is I believe simply the baptism in the spirit, which should give the ability to excercise tongues by faith at any time.

I think that Paul was special in part, because he was praying the mysteries of God which is also scriptural in I Cor 14:2. Some of those mysteries were likely parts of the New Testament. At least a few modern Pentecostals teach that we too can get revelation from speaking in tongues though none can rise to the level of Paul as the canon is closed. Revelation is not closed though, and we can also speak the mysteries of God and someimes gain some understanding. So this is tongues in private, from giving thanks, to speaking the mysteries of God (And hopefully getting some understanding).

Also, Since we can pray without ceasing I Thess 5:17, it in theory is at least possible for a zealous Christian to pray hours a day in understanding but especially in tongues. Dave Roberson did that for weeks at a time for 8 or more hours a day. Few attain that in the practical world but Roberson maintained that it not only brought him revelation of God's word but also birthed in abilities that brought about creative miracles and other gifts and anointings that he ministered under. I am thinking there are a few others like that; ministers that spend much time with God and are not famous names because they do not promote themselves.

Likewise, I know a pastor that fasts over 100 days a year and has been doing that for decades. In 45 years of service to the same church, he has never once missed a scheduled sermon. I admit all this seems extreme and I am certain there are other extreme ways to really flourish in God. If anything, reading and studying the word probably brings the most fruit on an hour for hour basis but Christians certainly have opportunities to do far more in God. So at least to me God enables more than we walk into. There is no condemnation for not being radical, but our efforts are rewarded. James basically says so in "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Yes, I think it is important, for me it's great when I don't know what to pray! God bless!

Do you know what you are praying? Do you understand your tongue?

 

[ARBITER01]

Yes, it is all enabled by God but can we press into it as we trust God?

The gifts of The Holy Spirit are given to us, meaning they are human spirit gifts. Some gifts can be stepped out by our own faith, a lot of them can't be. For instance, I can't step out in the gifts of healings gifts by my own faith as it is a power gift. GOD's power is involved, so HE must agree with the situation and it be to HIS credit/glory for HIM to operate the gift.

The gift of tongues can be stepped out in my own faith for prayer, but The Holy Spirit can also operate the gift through me for certain situations that GOD knows. Same way with the gift of prophesying.

People who receive the filling of The Holy Spirit also have to learn how to step out in the gifts that can be stepped out by their own faith. Some folks have not understood that.

 

[Richard T]

The gifts of The Holy Spirit are given to us, meaning they are human spirit gifts. Some gifts can be stepped out by our own faith, a lot of them can't be. For instance, I can't step out in the gifts of healings gifts by my own faith as it is a power gift. GOD's power is involved, so HE must agree with the situation and it be to HIS credit/glory for HIM to operate the gift.

The gift of tongues can be stepped out in my own faith for prayer, but The Holy Spirit can also operate the gift through me for certain situations that GOD knows. Same way with the gift of prophesying.

People who receive the filling of The Holy Spirit also have to learn how to step out in the gifts that can be stepped out by their own faith. Some folks have not understood that.

Yes, the gifts of the Spirit are as the Holy Spirit wills, not our will. However, we likely will have better results through prayer, fasting, praise, desire and obedience. I should not forget too that operating these gifts through love and compassion also matters greatly.

You are right too that we can initiate personal tongues (ones that are not intended for an assembly to be interpreted.)