What Advice Would You Give to Someone Who Received Tongues?

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Here's my advice, stop caring whether you speak in tongues or not!!!!!!!!!!

How about you focus on praying more, or getting in touch with God better, and let him work out the means. If you are praying, focus on praying not babbling! if God wants you to speak in tongues, you will! It is a gift, you don't do anything to get it,It is fully up to God. If you are generating it, then it is a mockery of the gift! In addition, I hope that you are praying in tongues between you and God, and not making a spectacle out of yourself by speaking uniteligably without any interpretation!

I may at first glance sound like an opponent of tongues, but I assure you I am not. I have spoken in tongues on multiple occasions when I was in deep prayer. My first time praying in tongues was accidental, and at that point I didn't believe that it was for this time. I never really got a huge kick out of it. My view is, if it happens, then it happens if not then who cares, remember prayer is for God not for you.

I agree that we should take the gift of tongues very seriously, and I would respectfully encourage you to relax and use the gift of tongues more deliberately during your normal prayer times. You don't have to wait for "deep" prayer before you can speak in tongues. Waiting for some sensory feeling before you feel can speak in tongues is not really faith. Faith when you are using tongues is when you feel nothing and you decide that you are going to use the prayer language for a specific purpose like building yourself up or interceding for a need when you can't find the words for natural prayer. You can speak in tongues whenever you like.

I respect your view, and I would encourage you to lighten up about it. Many, many people are happily using the gift of tongues and enjoying the benefits and blessings it brings to them. Get your eyes of the lunatic fringe who misuse it and get a better understanding of the Scripture teaching about it, and you will be much better off.

 

[Gnarwhal]

don't be sorry for asking. we are here for each other. I am not someone who can just pray in the Spirit at rhe drop of a hat (no offense anybody)

I would suggest not focusing on tongues and pray in the Spirit when you feel led to. You don't have to pray in tongues to spend time with God.

Excellent advice.

I haven't received the gift yet, although I've asked. I say patience may also be key when speaking in tongues. My wife and some of my friends who have been blessed with the gift have had many experiences where they spoke in tongues but an interpretation didn't arrive for a while.

By the same token, practice patience with using tongues in general, try not to force the gift simply because you would like to speak in tongues.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Excellent advice.

I haven't received the gift yet, although I've asked. I say patience may also be key when speaking in tongues. My wife and some of my friends who have been blessed with the gift have had many experiences where they spoke in tongues but an interpretation didn't arrive for a while.

By the same token, practice patience with using tongues in general, try not to force the gift simply because you would like to speak in tongues.

There are some steps of faith towards successfully using the gift of tongues, and to use them in the way God designed for the gift to be used.

1. You have to believe that it is God's will for you.

This is the problem for a lot of people. They don't know whether it is God's will for them or not. They either follow the "herd" and try to do it because everyone else is and maybe they should. They don't quite feel satisfied about it though. It is vitally important that a person knows beyond doubt that it really is God's will for the person to speak in tongues. "Be not unwise but understanding what the will of God is" (Ephesians 5:17). So, it is no use for you to go any further until you get that sorted out; and it is no use for anyone else to force or persuade you to speak in tongues before you know in your own heart that it is the will of God for you.

2. You ask for it. Having established that it is God's will, you can know that whatever you ask, believing, He will give it to you (Matt 21:22). Only when you are satisfied that it is God's will for you, will you have the faith to believe for it. But you must ask.

3. You receive it by faith. "He who asks, receives" (Matt 7:8). Once you have received it by faith, you have it. You don't have to have any sort of sensory feeling to support that. This is because you have taken three steps of faith based on God's Word. Your basis for believing that you have the gift of tongues is God's Word, and not any emotional feeling. This is because you have taken three important Scriptural steps to receive it.

4. Step out in faith and speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit will not take over your voice or mouth and force you to speak words. He will wait until you have the faith to start making up the language, believing that what you are doing is speaking in tongues. The difference between speaking gobbledygook and speaking a language that God understands is your faith.

Now, I must remark that this post is only for the appreciation of those who are genuinely seeking the gift of tongues and see that what I have set out is a good answer from the Holy Spirit to solve their difficulty with being able to step out and speak in tongues.

 

[RevKidd]

The Parable of Talents.
God gives each of us a gift. He wants us to develop what He's given us. When the Father returns, He wants a return on His 'investment.'

You may interpret that parable differently. But regardless, whatever God stewards to us, we'll need to give an account for. And not just that, but for however much he's given us, will be how much He expects from us. (Where much is given, much is required).

Lately, I've only used my gifts when I felt like it, or when it was convienent for me. And that's not good. I think that displeases God, which is why I want to "practice" speaking in tongues more often. Fair enough?

Sorry Rita, but they are two totally different principles being spoken about. Parable of the talents does not apply.

 

[RevKidd]

I think God cares that we speak in tongues.

God cares that we use what the Holy Spirit wants us to use. Paul speaks very specifically that "Not all will speak with tongues", nor will all prophesy, or heal, etc., 1 Corinthians 12, you can't read that chapter and come away with the idea that "God cares that we speak in tongues". Maybe to those that were given the gift. But it does not mean that we ALL should speak in tongues. Paul says that we should desire what is BEST FOR US, based on what the Holy Spirit gives us. It is the Holy Spirit/God that decides.... So your comment would be better stated "I think God cares that we all use the gift that He want's us to use"...

This is what is wrong with pentecostal teaching. Tongues is not where it was at folks. You know why Paul said "I speak in tongues more than you all"... do you know why? Think about it. It's because he was a missionary. He spoke in tongues in order to minister to the gentiles that had different dialects. Yet the Corinthian church was, (imagine this) abusing the gift. Just like today, people are enamoured with the supernatural and want that. However, it may not be what the Holy Spirit wants to give you. IMO, 95 percent of the people who "speak in tongues" are mimics. Sorry, I hate to say it. Paul even says that there are greater gifts, and that the greatest gift is LOVE. Yet the pentecostal church has held on to tongues, placing it on a pedestal and while rejecting the other gifts.

And then because of this "pedestal' we have people that teach that you must hone your gift and practice it. Never was it "Practiced" in scripture. No where do we find a 10 step process.. No where do we find a schedule to follow when using the gifts...

So we have fallen into the same trap that the corinthian church has. One body, that has only one part, and that part is a bunch of blabbering christians trying to somehow climb this spiritual ladder and be the "Poster Child" of tongues...

Read 1 Corithians 12 Church and get a grasp on the gifts.

 

[RevKidd]

There are some steps of faith towards successfully using the gift of tongues, and to use them in the way God designed for the gift to be used.

1. You have to believe that it is God's will for you.

This is the problem for a lot of people. They don't know whether it is God's will for them or not. They either follow the "herd" and try to do it because everyone else is and maybe they should. They don't quite feel satisfied about it though. It is vitally important that a person knows beyond doubt that it really is God's will for the person to speak in tongues. "Be not unwise but understanding what the will of God is" (Ephesians 5:17). So, it is no use for you to go any further until you get that sorted out; and it is no use for anyone else to force or persuade you to speak in tongues before you know in your own heart that it is the will of God for you.

2. You ask for it. Having established that it is God's will, you can know that whatever you ask, believing, He will give it to you (Matt 21:22). Only when you are satisfied that it is God's will for you, will you have the faith to believe for it. But you must ask.

3. You receive it by faith. "He who asks, receives" (Matt 7:8). Once you have received it by faith, you have it. You don't have to have any sort of sensory feeling to support that. This is because you have taken three steps of faith based on God's Word. Your basis for believing that you have the gift of tongues is God's Word, and not any emotional feeling. This is because you have taken three important Scriptural steps to receive it.

4. Step out in faith and speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit will not take over your voice or mouth and force you to speak words. He will wait until you have the faith to start making up the language, believing that what you are doing is speaking in tongues. The difference between speaking gobbledygook and speaking a language that God understands is your faith.

Now, I must remark that this post is only for the appreciation of those who are genuinely seeking the gift of tongues and see that what I have set out is a good answer from the Holy Spirit to solve their difficulty with being able to step out and speak in tongues.

Oscar you speak well and convincingly. However, Paul speaks specifically that we should desire what the Holy Spirit wants us to have. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance. It's not what I want, but what the Holy Spirit wants. 1 Corinthians 12.

 

[ARBITER01]

Oscar you speak well and convincingly. However, Paul speaks specifically that we should desire what the Holy Spirit wants us to have. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance. It's not what I want, but what the Holy Spirit wants. 1 Corinthians 12.

Sorry but you are wrong.

Corporate ministry is certainly by utterance of The Holy Spirit, but personal edification, ie prayer, is not.

I can step out in my gift of tongues 24/7 365 days out of the year, as any point, as well as I have seen people who could do that with prophecy. I understand that not everyone is able to step out that way with their prayer, but a very good percentage of us do, so making the statement that "The Holy Spirit gives the utterance" in relation to personal prayer is wrong.

 

[Yitzchak]

Sorry but you are wrong.

Corporate ministry is certainly by utterance of The Holy Spirit, but personal edification, ie prayer, is not.

I can step out in my gift of tongues 24/7 365 days out of the year, as any point, as well as I have seen people who could do that with prophecy. I understand that not everyone is able to step out that way with their prayer, but a very good percentage of us do, so making the statement that "The Holy Spirit gives the utterance" in relation to personal prayer is wrong.

I am actually undecided on this issue.

I have heard the teaching that it is our human spirit praying in tongues and not the Holy Spirit. I am not 100% clear as to whether that is what your post is saying. I can see that possibility. But am not sure one way or the other.

I guess the idea is that The Holy Spirit awakens this aspect of our spirit when we receive the baptism of The Holy Spirit.

The public tongues as a message for the congregation is usually then taught as a message from the Holy Spirit and a different gift.

 

[Faulty]

I want to practice tongues more to help my spiritual walk. But, sometimes, I get discouraged because I don't know what I'm saying or if its about what I was first praying.

If you knew what you were saying, it wouldn't be 'other' tongues.

My question is: what advice would you give to someone who wants to use this gift more?

If you want to use it more, then my advice is to use it more.

 

[RevKidd]

Sorry but you are wrong.

Corporate ministry is certainly by utterance of The Holy Spirit, but personal edification, ie prayer, is not.

I can step out in my gift of tongues 24/7 365 days out of the year, as any point, as well as I have seen people who could do that with prophecy. I understand that not everyone is able to step out that way with their prayer, but a very good percentage of us do, so making the statement that "The Holy Spirit gives the utterance" in relation to personal prayer is wrong.

Um, no I'm not... This is another bad teaching that there are Two gifts of tongues, that tries to support the idea that corporate tongues is different than personal tongues. Paul identifies all the gifts, and never mentions or splits the gift of tongues into two seperate "gifts". You either have it or you don't. The burden of proof is on those that say there are two seperate gifts.

4 Now there are http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-10varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
6 There are varieties of effects, but the same http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-11God who works all things in all persons.
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-12for the common good.
8 For to one is given the word of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-13wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-14knowledge according to the same Spirit ;
9 to another http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-15faith http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-dby the same Spirit, and to another http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-16gifts of http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-ehealing http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-fby the one Spirit,
10 and to another the http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-geffecting of http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-hhttp://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-17miracles, and to another http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-18prophecy, and to another the http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-ihttp://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-19distinguishing of spirits, to another various http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-20kinds of tongues, and to another the http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-21interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-22distributing to each one individually just as He (being the Holy Spirit) wills.

29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-tmiracles, are they?
30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-43interpret, do they?
31 But http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-44earnestly desire the greater gifts. A nd I show you a still more excellent way.

It doesn't get any clearer than below on the gifts and tongues place in the church and the individual. Yet, there is still no seperation of the gift of tongues into two different gifts. TWO DIFFERENT USES YES.. but the same gift. Don't put meaning into the mouth of scripture.. let it speak for itself.

1 http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-1Pursue love, yet http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-2desire earnestly http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-3spiritual gifts, but especially that you may http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-4prophesy.
2 For one who http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-5speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God ; for no one http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-aunderstands, but http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-bin his spirit he speaks http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-6mysteries.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-7edification and http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-8exhortation and consolation.
4 One who http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-9speaks in a tongue http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-10edifies himself ; but one who http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-11prophesies http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-12edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-13spoke in tongues, but http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-14even more that you would prophesy ; and greater is one who prophesies than one who http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-15speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-16edifying.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-17revelation or of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-18knowledge or of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-19prophecy or of http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-20teaching ?
7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp ?
8 For if http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-21the http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-cbugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle ?
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken ? For you will be http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-22speaking into the air.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-dlanguages in the world, and no
kind is without meaning.
11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-ehttp://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-23barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-fbarbarian http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-gto me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-hspiritual gifts, seek to abound for the http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-24edification of the church.
13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-25What is the outcome then ? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also ; I will http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-26sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
16 Otherwise if you bless http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-iin the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the http://www.christianforums.com/#fn-descriptionAnchor-jungifted say http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-27the "Amen " at your http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-28giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying ?
17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not http://www.christianforums.com/#cr-descriptionAnchor-29edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all ;
19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

 

[ARBITER01]

I am actually undecided on this issue.

I have heard the teaching that it is our human spirit praying in tongues and not the Holy Spirit. I am not 100% clear as to whether that is what your post is saying. I can see that possibility. But am not sure one way or the other.

I guess the idea is that The Holy Spirit awakens this aspect of our spirit when we receive the baptism of The Holy Spirit.

The public tongues as a message for the congregation is usually then taught as a message from the Holy Spirit and a different gift.

It would be the human spirit praying since the gifts are human spirit gifts from The Holy Spirit.

The difference is who is operating the gift. In the assembly, a person with a ministry for their gift will have The Holy Spirit prompting them to operate though them, but it is still the same gift He gave.

That ability to step out in our own faith with the utterance gifts contributes to the majority of the problems associated with them.

 

[ARBITER01]

Um, no I'm not... This is another bad teaching that there are Two gifts of tongues, that tries to support the idea that corporate tongues is different than personal tongues. Paul identifies all the gifts, and never mentions or splits the gift of tongues into two seperate "gifts". You either have it or you don't. The burden of proof is on those that say there are two seperate gifts.

Sorry, no one said there was two different gifts, just different operations of it.

And yes, you are wrong about this.

 

[RevKidd]

I am actually undecided on this issue.

I have heard the teaching that it is our human spirit praying in tongues and not the Holy Spirit. I am not 100% clear as to whether that is what your post is saying. I can see that possibility. But am not sure one way or the other.

I guess the idea is that The Holy Spirit awakens this aspect of our spirit when we receive the baptism of The Holy Spirit.

The public tongues as a message for the congregation is usually then taught as a message from the Holy Spirit and a different gift.

Well...let scripture help you decide

And what teaching have heard? What about the scriptures that you have read. That's is the authority.. Not what someone seperated by 2000 years is teaching.

Paul never seperates the two as two different gifts... Never. Two uses, but the same gift.

So then the question should be asked of someone.. if you are struggling with tongues... maybe it's not what the Holy Spirit wants you to have. It should'nt be a struggle.

 

[RevKidd]

It would be the human spirit praying since the gifts are human spirit gifts from The Holy Spirit.

The difference is who is operating the gift. In the assembly, a person with a ministry for their gift will have The Holy Spirit prompting them to operate though them, but it is still the same gift He gave.

That ability to step out in our own faith with the utterance gifts contributes to the majority of the problems associated with them.

Maybe I am misunderstanding where you are coming from then...?

 

[ARBITER01]

Maybe I am misunderstanding where you are coming from then...?

Well if we agree that The Holy Spirit can operate the gift in the assembly, and that a person can also operate the gift privately between GOD and them, then we wouldn't have any disagreement. That's the same gift with two conditions of operation.

I seen you saying that the gift required The Holy Spirit to operate it, and that was where my disagreement was.

 

[hislegacy]

My question is: what advice would you give to someone who wants to use this gift more?

Use it more. Sort of like having a car - what do you do to use it more - get in and drive it.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

. You know why Paul said "I speak in tongues more than you all"... do you know why? Think about it. It's because he was a missionary. He spoke in tongues in order to minister to the gentiles that had different dialects.

The Scripture does not say that at all. You are reading something into Scripture that is not there. You do have the right to have your opinion and to speculate how you want, and that is all it is - a speculation not supported by any Scripture in the New Testament.

And then because of this "pedestal' we have people that teach that you must hone your gift and practice it. Never was it "Practiced" in scripture. No where do we find a 10 step process.. No where do we find a schedule to follow when using the gifts...

Again, this is your opinion and you are entitled to it. The steps I have described are fully supported in Scripture, while your speculations are not.

So we have fallen into the same trap that the corinthian church has. One body, that has only one part, and that part is a bunch of blabbering christians trying to somehow climb this spiritual ladder and be the "Poster Child" of tongues...

This is not my experience of Spirit filled, tongues speaking believers. Most of them are saintly, faithful believers who are hungry for more of God, and who are bearing good fruit for the Lord. You must have mixed too much with the lunatic fringe minority more than good solid believers.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Oscar you speak well and convincingly. However, Paul speaks specifically that we should desire what the Holy Spirit wants us to have. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance. It's not what I want, but what the Holy Spirit wants. 1 Corinthians 12.

You are quite correct, and the Holy Spirit puts the desire on a person's heart for the giftings that He wants him or her to have. But when a person is walking in the Spirit, they are so close to the Lord that their desire becomes the desire of the Holy Spirit for them. In many people there is a conflict between what they want and what the Holy Spirit wants for them. This is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Colossians 1:9-11 is the antidote for that. Paul prays that believers be filled with the knowledge of God's will and have all spiritual understanding. Then they will be fruitful in every good work. This is a place with God where what I want is what the Lord wants for me. That is Christian maturity.

So it is possible that the Lord might want to you discover the effectiveness and blessedness of using the gift of tongues, but I might be still immature and my self-will might not want to move out of my comfort zone and receive it.

Using the gift of tongues builds us up. This means it raises us closer to heaven and puts us on a spiritual plane with God where we are more sensitive to His voice and are radiating the fruit of the Spirit in a greater way. Now, what hungry believer wants more of that? And using the gift of tongues is the only way to get there.

 

[RevKidd]

The Scripture does not say that at all. You are reading something into Scripture that is not there. You do have the right to have your opinion and to speculate how you want, and that is all it is - a speculation not supported by any Scripture in the New Testament.

But the evidence is strong knowing Paul to be a missionary to the gentiles. It's supported more than any "Process" of learning to speak in tongues.


Again, this is your opinion and you are entitled to it. The steps I have described are fully supported in Scripture, while your speculations are not.

This is not my experience of Spirit filled, tongues speaking believers. Most of them are saintly, faithful believers who are hungry for more of God, and who are bearing good fruit for the Lord. You must have mixed too much with the lunatic fringe minority more than good solid believers.

Yes, I agree that most are.. But there are those that come in here and all they get all the time are "do this, or do that to be able to speak in tongues". The majority of which is not even remotley close to scripture. It's their own personal experience, or some crazy unbiblical teaching.

For someone who wants advise on tongues.. Read 1 Corithians 12-14. Then let the Holy Spirit decide. Like Paul says.. there are greater gifts than tongues. Desire what the Holy Spirit wants...

5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy ; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

I honestly feel that the pressure for people to want to belong in a group so much will cause people to take on traits, regardless of their own personal persuasion... it's called peer pressure, and it happens even in churches. If the teaching of the gifts leveled the gifts as equal, which they are, churches would be better equiped. But there is an imbalance today... and the teachings and the questions being asked on this forum are IMO, evidence of this.

And I still would like to see the 10 step program written up by Paul or someone in the NT about speaking in tongues...

 

[Yitzchak]

Well...let scripture help you decide

And what teaching have heard? What about the scriptures that you have read. That's is the authority.. Not what someone seperated by 2000 years is teaching.

Paul never seperates the two as two different gifts... Never. Two uses, but the same gift.

So then the question should be asked of someone.. if you are struggling with tongues... maybe it's not what the Holy Spirit wants you to have. It should'nt be a struggle.

I think that it is good to examine what we believe to see if perhaps we have made assumptions and read those assumptions into the text. I am not prepared to say one way or another until I have time to pray and examine the scriptures on the matter. That is not a two minute reading of one or two texts. I am comfortable saying I do not know at this point.