Hello TTP family! Our discussion on “Glossolalia” continues with further introspection into the scriptures to further add to our newfound or reinforced knowledge from our previous blogpost.
Having explored the scriptural basis for speaking in tongues in Part 1, we now delve deeper into a question that likely lingers in your minds: how do we understand the “mysteries” uttered during this practice?
This part of our exploration is dedicated to unpacking the importance of seeking interpretation and the transformative power of praying in tongues. We will navigate the experience from the perspective of both personal prayer and its role within a worship service.
Let’s dig in, In 1 Corinthians 14:2, it is expressed that when someone speaks in tongues, their words are directed towards God and not understandable to others. This is basically tongues as a prayer language. This introduces a new paradigm to our understanding of the phenomenon of speaking in tongues. Aside from being a sign gift for unbelievers and an initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is an aspect of speaking in tongues that is essentially prayer. This form of communication involves speaking mysteries by the guidance of the Spirit. In the New Testament, the term “mystery” does not imply something unknowable, but rather something that requires assistance to comprehend. Thus, when speaking in tongues, we are uttering mysteries. While God understands these words, they remain mysterious to both us and those listening.
Regrettably, in charismatic circles, prayer has often become an endurance test, with lengthy prayers valued for their duration alone. While there is a place for lengthy prayers in our walk with God, placing value on the duration of our prayers alone often reflects our religious conscience at work. Prayer, however, is intended to be a two-way communication. If we have spoken mysteries to God, what did we say? How can we unravel these mysteries and gain understanding of the profound message conveyed in the spirit?
Let’s take our time to answer this because I am certain that this is a question you might have asked at one point or another.
1 Corinthians 14:13-15 says that “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also”
Therefore, the one who speaks in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret. When we pray in tongues, our understanding is unproductive because it is our spirit that is engaged. This allows us to engage in other activities while praying in tongues. However, upon completion, it is essential to pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to comprehend the content of our prayers in the spirit. Thus, Paul states in the above verses that he will pray both with his spirit and with his understanding. Furthermore, Paul uses three verbs in reference to tongues: speaking, praying, and singing in the spirit. In each of these cases, he emphasises the importance of coupling the spirit with understanding.
For example, during a service, there may be instances where a prayer topic is raised, and we pray in the spirit. After such prayers, the leader must be sensitive to God’s guidance and seek understanding from the Spirit. This allows the leader to articulate the prayer in a language comprehensible to the congregation, leading to a collective affirmation when they say “amen,” meaning “let it be so.”
Praying in the spirit holds two significant advantages that are invaluable for believers:
Firstly, praying in the spirit ensures that our prayers are in alignment with God’s will. In Romans 8:26-27, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit assists us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us according to God’s perfect plan. Oftentimes, we struggle to discern God’s will and may unknowingly pray for things contrary to His intentions. However, when we pray in the spirit, we surrender our own understanding and allow the Spirit to guide our prayers, ensuring they are in harmony with God’s desires. This deepens our connection with Him and brings us closer to experiencing His purpose in our lives.
Also, praying in the spirit has a transformative effect on our spiritual growth. 1 Corinthians 14:4 teaches us that speaking in tongues edifies the individual, building them up in their faith. When we pray in the spirit, our inner being is enriched, and our capacity for spiritual understanding and growth expands. We are able to receive deeper revelations from God, gaining insights into His light, life, and love, as described in 1 John. This divine communion strengthens our faith, empowers us to overcome challenges, and nurtures a profound connection with our Heavenly Father.
We have arrived at an important point in our blog, we have referred you to scripture and brought to mind experiences that you may have had at one point or another or seen others have or talk about. Someone may attempt to use science to debunk this and so let’s ask, “ what does science say?” and can it prove the validity of this experience or lifestyle and ascertain if we are not just speaking made up words we believe to be divine? It is important to acknowledge that science and personal experiences, including the study of scripture, can provide valuable insights into the existence of God and the experiences we have as a result of our relationship with Him. It is essential to understand that science does not have the ability to disprove the existence of God, but rather it can help us explore and uncover evidence that can support belief and provide answers to questions for both unbelievers and those seeking deeper understanding. By combining scientific exploration with personal experiences, we can gain a broader perspective and a solid foundation for our beliefs.
Research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania (The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during glossolalia: A preliminary SPECT study) has shed light on the fascinating phenomenon of speaking in tongues. Brain imaging studies of five women praying in tongues revealed that their frontal lobes, responsible for conscious control, were relatively quiet, while regions associated with self-consciousness were active.
When test subjects prayed in their native language, their brain activity indicated normal behaviour for speech in the frontal lobe. However, when the same test subjects prayed in tongues, their brain activity showed something extremely different. The frontal lobe, the part of the brain that controls language, fell quiet for the most part during the practice of speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:14).
These findings support the belief held by many practitioners that they are being mentally directed and that God is speaking through them. Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, the leader of the study team, confirmed this finding, stating that it is consistent with the intense spiritual experience reported by practitioners who believe they are channels for the voice and movement of the Holy Spirit. This research offers both neurological and subjective insights into the profound nature of speaking in tongues, highlighting the unique brain activity associated with this spiritual practice.
The teachings of the Bible have provided us with knowledge and understanding, and science has corroborated its truths. It is crucial for us to grasp that speaking in tongues is an experiential phenomenon, transcending our normal human experience and holding significant relevance in our modern era. If we still have the Holy Spirit, why would his language disappear? If the purpose of the gifts of the spirit is for God to edify his church, and the church still stands today, why should the gifts of tongues disappear? These are questions for the gods, answered by God Himself! In all his warnings on the abuses and excesses in the use of the gifts of the spirit, the apostle Paul also warns believers not to forbid speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:39
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.“
In conclusion, dedicating time to pray in the spirit holds immense significance for believers. It aligns our prayers with God’s will (Romans 8:26-27), ensuring that we seek His purpose and desire in all aspects of our lives. Moreover, it enriches our spiritual journey, allowing us to experience a heightened connection with God (Ephesians 3:16-19), receive divine revelations (1 Corinthians 2:9-10), and embrace His love more deeply (Romans 5:5). Let us, therefore, prioritize and cherish this intimate form of prayer, as it holds the potential to transform us and draw us closer to the heart of our Creator.
As you reflect on what you have read, you may begin to grasp the overarching theme we have chosen for this year: the Holy Spirit – Pneuma.
Throughout our previous blog posts, we have delved into the nature of the Holy Spirit, emphasising His significance in our lives. By now, you should recognise just how crucial He is to experiencing the abundant Christian life and finding true fulfilment. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to revisit our earlier blog posts, where we made an effort to unveil the beauty of the Holy Spirit, the importance of fostering a deeper connection with Him and addressing any lingering questions you may have had
We sincerely hope that our content has been edifying and enlightening for you thus far. We invite you to stay connected with us as we continue to provide more uplifting and informative blogs and podcasts. Until our next blogpost, Shalom and God bless you
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