Get to Know the Holy Spirit Pt. 3

The Holy Spirit- The Edifier : November 2022

We are on week 3 of the “Get to Know the Holy Spirit” series. The first week we learned that the Holy Spirit is our answer to all things. Last week we learned that He is the superpower of our salvation experience. This week we will examine the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. There are some evidences that their sole purpose is to build up the body of Christ as a whole (1 Corinthians 12) and there are others that are for personal edification (1 Corinthians 14). All are important, but important for different reasons. Additionally, each one’s purpose is to make us look more like Jesus.

In this segment, let’s focus on the kind of evidence of the Holy Spirit that is in us, but is for our personal growth and edification. The ability to speak in tongues is at times considered a “taboo” topic. I have experienced some who are 100% into it, while others are 100% against it, and many people who fall somewhere in the middle. Those in the middle sometimes brush over it because they are unsure of the truth regarding the topic. But none-the-less, it is in the Bible and if it’s in the Bible it’s for me and if it’s for me then I want it. Getting baptized in the Holy Spirit and receiving my prayer language has been the most significant event that has impacted and propelled my growth with the Lord. Like I talked about in week 1 of this series, when I was in need of answers/directions, I prayed in the Spirit about it and received the answer I needed. I would propose that praying in the Spirit is one of the most powerful prayers we can pray, and we will talk about why shortly. If you would like to take the time to read the full chapter of 1 Corinthians 14, it does such a good job explaining the differences in gifts for the church settings vs. those gifts for your personal relationship with the Lord. To summarize a few things for you, basically Paul says this: When you are in a corporate church setting it is more advantageous to prophecy and pray in the respective known language (i.e. English in our case) because those things are understood by all and are able to build up the church spiritually. If you are going to pray in tongues in a church setting for the whole congregation there must be an interpretation to follow. Again, because it needs to be understood in able to edify. However, Paul does say that when someone speaks in tongues it improves their own spiritual progress. 

So there is a reason to pray privately in tongues. Interpretation isn’t necessarily always an out come although it can be. It says in 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 TPT “When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit. But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort. The one who speaks in tongues advances his own spiritual progress, while the one who prophesies builds up the church.” So your prayer language is a connection between you and God where you are praying mysteries that are unknown not only to you, but the adversary as well. Which brings me to this, let’s discuss the benefits and reasons why we should desire to have and cultivate a prayer language. 

Benefits and reasons to pray in tongues:

1. It is a prayer only between you and God which means no one else can understand it, not even the devil! And if he cannot understand it then how is he going to try to do anything to stop your prayer from coming to pass? Also You are praying the mysteries of God when you pray in tongues. So that means you have insider info, you are praying from God’s perspective with your mouth over your circumstances and direction! 

• 1 Corinthians 14:2 TPT “When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit.”

2. When you are praying in tongues, it is because the Holy Spirit is giving you the ability to do so. It is like He is praying through you in your spirit and it is coming out of your mouth. So that must mean it's the most perfect powerful prayer to pray!

• Acts 2:4 NLT says “And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”

3. Praying in tongues strengthens and builds us up in our faith and walk with Christ. 

• Jude 20 NKJV “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit”

• 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself, …”

4. It allows the Holy Spirit to pray for us when we don’t know what to pray and prays the exact will of God for our lives and others we are praying for. 

• Romans 8:26-27 NLT “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

5. It is a part of our spiritual armor and warfare. In Ephesians 6 where it tells us to put on the full armor of God and lists all the articles of armor to dress ourselves with, it follows it up with urging us to “pray in the Spirit at ALL times and on every occasion.” This prayer language gives us an edge in this fight of faith! It keeps us ready and alert and full of the wisdom of God to strategically take each step!

• Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT “…Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

This evidence of speaking in tongues comes when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which we discussed in last week's devotional. We first see the evidence of tongues in Acts 2:1-4 where the Holy Spirit was imparted to the believers on Pentecost, they began to speak in tongues. We then pick up in Act 19:1-5 NLT “While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” Here we can clearly see that there is a difference in baptisms, and that Paul is quick and eager to have these fellow believers he had met receive the Holy Spirit. We can see how easy, immediate and effortless it was for them to receive it as well. Receiving this baptism and evidence is just as easy as it is to get saved! Just like you pray and receive salvation, you pray and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues. Some people may tell you that you may not be able to speak in tongues after you receive this baptism, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t receive the Holy Spirit. Don’t settle for less when you can have so much more. Upon praying and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit you will then possess the ability to speak in tongues. However, you have to practice it and learn it. The Holy Spirit is a gentle, faithful teacher. It’s up to us to yield to Him and to allow Him to flow through us. It may start as just one word or one phrase. So stick with that word or phrase and say it until another word or syllable or phrase comes.And then over some time you will notice your spiritual vocabulary will start to expand and as you practice and exercise that muscle the stronger and more fluid it will get. Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit can come during a special church service specifically designated to ministering that, but it can also come to you right now wherever you are as you’re reading this. I’ve had the most wonderful privilege to help some of my friends receive this beautiful gift. It’s so easy! The Holy Spirit is so eager to experience this deeper level of relationship with you. Pray this prayer and then just move your mouth and tongue and allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you. If it’s even one single word, stick with it. That one single word is more powerful than 100 of your own words.

“Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. I want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Your Word says I can have it, so I believe in faith right now I am receiving this gift. I thank you now that I am baptized in the Holy Spirit and I will begin to speak in tongues. In Jesus’ Name amen!”

It’s as easy as that! You are now baptized in the Holy Spirit. Now take some time and dwell in it. Start moving your mouth and let the words flow out of you. Each day in the car or in the shower, be sure to take some time and practice your new prayer language. Watch how new understanding and revelation directly from God is able to flow right to you. As you read the Word you will begin to understand it like never before. It’s like a veil has been lifted from your eyes! Enjoy this new gift, this new strength, this new weapon, this new direction!

I like to close each teaching with an invitation to salvation for anyone that has not yet welcomed Jesus into their life. Maybe you’ve read this and felt a pull on your heart. Maybe you’re in a place where you just need a solution. If so, this was meant for you and if you’re ready for the “moreness” of God, then believe in your heart and say out loud the following prayer: “Jesus, I repent for my sins, please forgive me for living a life apart from You. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross for my sins and were raised to life again. I confess you as Lord over my life. Take my life and do something with it. And I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name amen.”

It’s as simple as that. Welcome to the family! That is solely the most important decision you will ever make. If you prayed that prayer, please send us an email and let us know. We would love to help get you connected to a Life-filled church in your area and help you get started on your journey of “moreness” with God. Click the chat button at the bottom of each page and send us a message!