Bible Study
The whole armor of God is the complete set of Christian protective gear consisting of salvation, righteousness, truth, peace, faith and the spoken Word, worn always in order to withstand or resist the devil.
To put on the whole armor of God is to be continually conscious of, and unflinchingly committed to proclaiming who we are and what we have in Christ while living in this reality.
Like we stated in Part 4, the armor of God is not a combative tool, no, we are not fighting with the enemy, rather we stand in the victory that Christ has already won for us.
Our reference scripture has been…
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
Ephesians 6:13-18 NKJV
Please read up on the Helmet of Salvation in Part 3, the Breastplate of Righteousness in Parts 4 and 5, the Belt of Truth in Part 6, the Shoes of Peace in Part 7, the Shield of Faith in Part 8 and the Sword of the Spirit in Part 9.
Today we continue our discussion by looking at “praying in the Spirit”…Ephesians 6:18…
“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
Ephesians 6:18 NKJV
Praying Always In The Spirit
I find that there are tiny differences in explanations by Bible scholars and teachers as to what it means to “pray in the Spirit” as used in Ephesians 6:18..
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.“
Ephesians 6:18NLT
Obviously the Church (body of Christ) is yet to attain “unity of faith” (Ephesians 4:11-13) as regards this portion of scripture. And as we know, the main Teacher of the Word is the Holy Spirit. I trust that He will guide us all into all truths (John 16:13). And while our understanding is being enlightened we should not lose sight of Titus 3:9 NKJV.
What do I think? 🙂
Like I already said, the Holy Spirit will bring us all clarity and understanding…
One thing though is clear, praying in the Spirit is the preferred way of praying all manner of prayers. And that doesn’t have to mean only speaking in tongues. Praying according to the Word of God is a spiritual prayer..
Another thing of importance and note is that speaking in tongues should be common practice in the life of every believer. And although Apostle Paul seemed to rank prophesying (in meetings) above speaking in tongues, he also claimed that he spoke in tongues more than any other member of the Ephesians Church (1 Corinthians 14).
Speaking in tongues sharpens our spiritual alertness. Below, I share 10 benefits of speaking in tongues…
10 Benefits Of Praying In Tongues
These benefits can apply in 2 dimensions….
A. Personal benefits of praying in tongues (Devotional)
B. Corporate benefits (for the local Church and the Body of Christ)
Benefit #1: Speaking In Tongues Promotes Spiritual Strength And Boosts Your Faith
We see some personal benefits of speaking in tongues from 1 Corinthians 14:4 and Jude 1:20…
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
I Corinthians 14:4 NKJV
When we pray in tongues we edify ourselves, we exercise our spirits, we charge up our spirit-man, we build ourselves up spiritually.
Secondly, speaking in tongues boosts up your faith….
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit..”
Jude 1:20 AMPC
We know that the Word of God is Faith’s primary food. Faith grows with the more of God’s Word we are exposed to. Speaking in tongues of itself doesn’t really build faith, however a charged up human spirit is more spiritually sensitive and alert and so can hear, be inspired or bring to mind the Word and this is what builds up faith during praying in tongues.
Benefit #2: We Pray Mysteries/ Secrets
One of the benefits of praying in other tongues is that we speak mysteries (divine truths, secret truths); ….we pray things we know nothing about.
“For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries [secret truths, hidden things].”
1 Corinthians 14:2 AMP
This is so interesting when we understand what a mystery is….
“Mystery is defined as something that is a secret, something where there is no clear explanation, something difficult to understand or explain or something unexplainable or unsolvable.
Halleluyah!
But you know, a mystery spoken in an unknown tongue remains a secret unless the Holy Spirit translates them to our understanding. Not that we necessarily need to know these secrets (except there’s an action we need to take). Praise God we have the Holy Spirit given to us to reveal all truths (John 16:13). He can sometimes provide us with the interpretation of tongues, or through our prayer God handles things quietly without our knowing.
Benefit #3 : We Pray The Mind And Will Of God
When we pray in tongues the Spirit makes intercessions for us according to the will of God.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 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. 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.”
Romans 8:26-27 NKJV
So instead of saying, we don’t know what the will of God concerning ABC is because the Bible is not explicit on it, we should pray in tongues about such things and trust that one, the Holy Spirit will present it to the Father exactly as it should be and two, He will lead us to take the right decision.
Another benefit of this point is that we pray unselfish prayers when we pray in tongues. We can confidently and effectively pray for another believer (saints) even without knowing what their needs are. Halleluyah! We pray the mind of God.
So if we go back to Ephesians 6:18, speaking in tongues can be a useful tool for supplicating for saints..
Romans 8:27 says this much…
“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.”
Romans 8:27 NKJV
The Spirit makes our prayers complete and effectual. And if we are to pray for all the saints whom we may not know their needs, praying in tongues helps us pray aright.
Benefit #4 : For Worship and Thanksgiving
Praying in tongues can be a way of giving thanks to God.
“What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?”
I Corinthians 14:15-16 NKJV
Benefit #5 : To Edify the Church
In 1 Corinthians 14:6, we see wider benefits of speaking in tongues; for the Church…
Sharing of revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching.
“Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No, it will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some knowledge, prophecy, or teaching.”
1 Corinthians 14:6 ERV
Usually for this to be occur, there will be an interpretation of the tongues (I Corinthians 14:27-28).
Just to quickly say that a Prophecy should actually be for exhortation, edification and comfort (I Corinthians 14:4).
Benefit #6: Praying in tongues is an opportunity to fellowship with the Father
Prayer is actually fellowship or communing with God. As we’ve read in 1 Corinthians 14:14; when we pray in tongues, ‘our spirit prays, fellowships, communes with Father through the help of the Holy Spirit…
“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.”
I Corinthians 14:2 NKJV
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive [because it does not understand what my spirit is praying].”
1 Corinthians 14:14 AMP
Benefit #7: Praying in tongues confuses the devil.
“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.”
I Corinthians 14:2 NKJV
Men do not understand us when we speak in tongues, the devil does not understand us when we pray in tongues, only God understands.
Benefit #8: Speaking in tongues makes us conscious of the indwelling Spirit.
Jesus kept His promise of asking the Father to send us the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. Those who have received the baptism of the Spirit, have a greater measure of filling of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in us as our Helper, Guide, Counselor, Standby, Advocate, Intwecessor, Strengthener, Comforter, Companion (John 14:16 AMP)
Praise God! We are not alone.
Benefit #9: Speaking in tongues makes for effective United/Corporate Prayer
Praying corporately in tongues would mean that everyone is praying according to the will of God rather than praying from different personal perspectives, understanding or preferences.
Benefit #10: Speaking in Tongues is a Sign to unbelievers
“Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.“
I Corinthians 14:22 NKJV
Let’s quickly remind ourselves of the experience on the Day of Pentecost….. 3,000 men got saved because of the sign of tongues…..
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Acts 2:1-4, 6-7, 37-38, 41 NKJV
Halleluyah!
So praying in the Spirit is a key way of making supplication for the saints. And speaking in tongues is a way of praying in the Spirit. When we identify relevant scriptures for different situations, praying in tongues ensures we pray the perfect will of God; because the Spirit prays for us according to the Word and according to the Mind of God concerning a situation or circumstance.
Indeed, every Christian should speak in tongues. The first time you speak in tongues is the evidence that you are baptized in the Holy Ghost. To get baptized in the Holy Ghost, Jesus said to ask the Father for it…
“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Luke 11:11-13 NKJV
So if you are a Christian reading this, but you’ve never spoken in tongues, you ought to to do. Start by asking the Father for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and receive same by faith. If you would like to understand a bit more about how to become baptized, you can reach me through the contact information on the Homepage.
Thank You Father!!!
Please join me next time on the concluding part of this study.
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Blessings & Love Always
