BENEFITS OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Title: BENEFITS OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 14:2 
Supporting Texts: Acts 2:4, Jude 1:20, Romans 8:26-27, Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, Ephesians 6:18

INTRODUCTION

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that manifests when a believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks in languages unknown to them. This supernatural ability, as experienced on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), is a powerful tool given by God to edify the believer and build the church. Unfortunately, many believers are unaware of the immense benefits of speaking in tongues. This sermon will explore the biblical foundations and benefits of this spiritual gift and encourage every believer to desire and operate in it.

1. DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD

a) Speaking Mysteries to God (1 Corinthians 14:2)
When we speak in tongues, we speak not to men but to God. The Bible says, "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries." Speaking in tongues is a direct line of communication with God, bypassing human understanding and entering into a realm of spiritual mysteries.

b) Enhanced Prayer Life (Romans 8:26-27)
Romans 8:26-27 tells us that "the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Speaking in tongues allows the Holy Spirit to pray through us in perfect alignment with God’s will, ensuring our prayers are effective and precise.

c) Praying Beyond Human Limitation (Ephesians 6:18)
Ephesians 6:18 exhorts believers to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Praying in tongues helps us pray beyond our natural knowledge and limitations, allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede for us and others, breaking spiritual barriers.

2. PERSONAL EDIFICATION AND SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

a) Building Up Yourself in Faith (Jude 1:20)
Jude 1:20 encourages believers to "build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." When we speak in tongues, we strengthen our inner man and build ourselves up spiritually. It is a spiritual exercise that develops our faith, making us more resilient and steadfast.

b) Spiritual Refreshing and Rest (Isaiah 28:11-12)
Isaiah 28:11-12 prophetically speaks of a refreshing that comes from speaking in tongues, "For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people... This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest." Praying in tongues brings a refreshing and rest to our spirits, rejuvenating us spiritually and physically.

c) Spiritual Empowerment (1 Corinthians 14:4)
The Bible states, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself." Speaking in tongues strengthens and empowers the believers, fortifying them against spiritual attacks and making them more effective in their walk with God.

3. ACTIVATING THE SUPERNATURAL AND DIVINE WISDOM

a) Opening the Door to Other Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
Speaking in tongues can activate other gifts of the Spirit, such as prophecy, healing, and discernment of spirits. As believers speak in tongues, they open themselves up to the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to operate more effectively in their spiritual gifts.

b) Receiving Divine Wisdom and Revelation (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
The Bible tells us that "God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). When we speak in tongues, we access divine wisdom, revelation, and knowledge that go beyond human understanding, allowing us to make better decisions aligned with God's will.

c) Strengthening Discernment (1 Corinthians 14:13-15)
Speaking in tongues sharpens our spiritual discernment. As we engage more in this spiritual practice, we become more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and more discerning of spiritual matters, helping us to navigate life with godly wisdom.

4. ALIGNMENT WITH GOD'S PERFECT WILL

a) Perfect Intercession According to God’s Will (Romans 8:27)
When we pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf according to the will of God. Romans 8:27 says, "Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." This ensures that our prayers are in perfect alignment with God's divine purpose.

b) Overcoming Limitations of Human Language (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Human language is limited, but speaking in tongues allows us to pray beyond the limitations of our native language. It is a heavenly language that is not bound by human vocabulary, providing a way to express the deep things of the Spirit that words cannot convey.

c) Unlocking Divine Mysteries (1 Corinthians 14:2)
When we speak in tongues, we unlock divine mysteries that God reveals to us. It is a supernatural way to download heavenly blueprints, strategies, and secrets that we need for victorious living and ministry.

5. EXPERIENCING DIVINE BREAKTHROUGHS AND VICTORIES

a) Spiritual Warfare and Defense (Ephesians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
Praying in tongues is a powerful tool in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:18 calls believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions." When we speak in tongues, we are engaging in spiritual warfare and using the spiritual weapons God has given us to pull down strongholds and defeat the enemy.

b) Bringing Down Strongholds (Mark 16:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
Jesus mentioned in Mark 16:17 that "these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues." Speaking in tongues is a sign of spiritual authority and empowerment to pull down strongholds and claim victory in Jesus' name.

c) Breaking Chains and Barriers (Acts 16:25-26)
Speaking in tongues can break spiritual chains and barriers. In Acts 16:25-26, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns while imprisoned, and a great earthquake broke their chains. Though not explicitly mentioned as tongues, the principle shows that praying in the Spirit releases supernatural power to break barriers.

CONCLUSION:

The benefits of speaking in tongues are immense and transformative. It enables believers to communicate directly with God, strengthens them spiritually, activates other spiritual gifts, aligns them with God's will, and brings about divine breakthroughs and victories. It is a powerful gift that every believer should desire and practice. As you seek God and grow in your relationship with Him, may you receive a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and begin to experience the manifold benefits of speaking in tongues.

PRAYER POINTS

1. "Father, fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit and grant me the gift of speaking in tongues."
2. "Lord, let the fire of speaking in tongues ignite my prayer life and draw me closer to You."
3. "Holy Spirit, intercede through me according to the perfect will of God as I pray in tongues."
4. "O God, strengthen and build me up in my faith as I pray in the Spirit daily."
5. "Lord, let the mysteries of Your kingdom be revealed to me as I speak in tongues."
6. "Father, empower me for effective spiritual warfare through the gift of tongues."
7. "Holy Spirit, open the doors to other spiritual gifts as I exercise the gift of tongues."
8. "Lord, grant me divine wisdom and revelation as I pray in tongues."
9. "O God, refresh and renew me spiritually as I engage in speaking in tongues."
10. "Father, let every spiritual barrier and chain in my life be broken as I pray in the Spirit."

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. I declare that you are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in new tongues.
2. I decree that as you pray in tongues, you are strengthened and built up in your faith.
3. I proclaim that divine mysteries and revelations are unveiled to you as you pray in the Spirit.
4. I declare that every spiritual barrier and chain is broken as you engage in speaking in tongues.
5. I decree that you receive supernatural wisdom and guidance as you pray in tongues.
6. I proclaim that the fire of God’s Spirit is ignited afresh in you as you speak in tongues.
7. I declare that you are empowered to pull down strongholds through the gift of tongues.
8. I decree that your prayer life is transformed as you continually pray in the Spirit.
9. I proclaim that you walk in alignment with God’s perfect will through praying in tongues.
10. I declare that you experience divine breakthroughs and victories as you engage in speaking in tongues.