Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 6/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: Dear Elder Madden,

My question on the topic of speaking in tongues is:

can speaking in tongues originate strictly from the soul rather than the spirit? Let me explain.

I had a glorious born again experience, but can never point to a time when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, unless that was the time. After my conversion I had been prayed over a number of times to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but nothing ever happened. However, I started speaking in tongues one day out of my own volition. In other words, mechanically, it was as if I decided to speak a sentence in my native language, but I simply let it come out as 'babble'. Over a short period of time I grew quite fluent in my prayer language, and have often prayed in tongues for hours. However, I often doubt that I am speaking by the Holy Spirit as I simply cannot point to a time where I have spoken in tongues 'as the Spirit gave utterance'. Hence my question - could I be speaking from my own soul or out of my own intellect rather than the Holy Spirit? As far as evidence of self edification is concerned, I can only point to one time where few years ago I awoke from my sleep one night and began to fret about something that happened at work the previous day. I prayed about it and left it with God and rolled over to go back to sleep. However, as time went on the anxiety kept growing. I kept turning it over to God but the burden would not leave. After about 45 minuets I was so fed up that I thought to myself, "what have I got to lose by praying in tongues", and started doing that. Well, within seconds the anxiety started to lift, and within 10 seconds it was completely gone - so much so that I even tried to get anxious about the issue again by focussing on it, but I remained at perfect peace. Within minutes I was fast asleep.

As I read this testimony it almost seems that I am answering my own question. Even so I am still often tempted to doubt my tongues.

I have read much about the benefits of tongues and want to come to a place where I stop doubting.

Could you please shed some light or confirmation on this?

Thank you.

Robert

ANSWER: Robert,

Thank you for your question. I can relate to what you are saying. There are times when I am praying in the Spirit that I wonder the same things you do. But I know that just as I received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by faith, I too received Him as my baptiser in the Holy Ghost BY FAITH. Faith is not based upon my feelings (thank God). You see Robert, there are times that I do not feel saved. Does this mean that I am not? Of corce it doesn't! If this were the case then we all would be in a heap of trouble! LOL!

The same is true about receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Too many Believers have the misconception that unless you "bawl and scwall" in the alters you really did not get saved. This is far from the truth. Salvation is by grace (God's unmerited, unearned, favor) and received by faith in the finished work of Christ upon the Cross (Eph. 2:8,9 & Rom. 10:9,10). Yes, the Bible does say that "Godly sorrow worketh repentance", but sorrow for sin is not always manifested by weeping. The true result of repentance is a changed life.

Such is also the case of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Too many think that unless your in church, and the music is just right, and the preaching has us running the isles that a Believer cannot receive the H.S. baptism. Wrong! I know of many who have not been at church that have been filled with the Spirit in their own private time. The important thing is not how you feel, but was the experience real. Only the individual Believer can know this for sure. This is also the case with salvation. I cannot judge your heart, only the Lord can.

Robert, I do not know you, nor do I know your heart. But after reading your question, and your testimony of receive the infilling of the Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues, I feel that you did truly reverie the Spirit baptism. It is the trick of the enemy to try to plant seeds of doubt in us to get us to forfeit all that the Lord has for us. The Spirit baptism is no exception.

Robert, you asked if "...tongues originate strictly from the soul rather than the spirit?" Let me see if I can address this.

First let me say that the soul and the spirit of man in inseparable. Your soul is you mind, will, and emotions (your thinker, your chooser, and your feeler). Your spirit is the real you. The part of you that is either lost without God, or is born-again and washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

So the answer to your question is that tongues originate from your spirit, and then through the soul as well. When the Believer who has received the Spirit infilling prays in tongues, he/she is praying out of their spirit (the inner man) bypassing the mind. We do not understand what we are praying (unless God gives us the interpretation). But when we pray in the Spirit we do not bypass the will or emotions. When we pray in tongues we choose to do so. The Bible says that the "...spirit is subject to the prophet..." This refers to the Believers ability to pray in the Spirit at the appropriate times. There are times when praying in the Spirit may cause a distraction. The Lord does not "force" us to pray in the Spirit. He has given us our prayer language as a tool to help us.

Also, Here are six reasons why should you want to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues . . .

Praying in tongues builds your faith. "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 20). Some think you have to be "spiritually up" and anointed to pray in tongues, but praying in the Spirit builds our faith. If you need victory, pray in tongues.

Praying in the prayer language brings you spiritual rest. "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing . . . ." (Isaiah 28:11,12). When we are tired or upset we can pray in tongues and receive supernatural rest from God.

Praying in the Holy Spirit can help us better understand the truth of God’s Word and His guidance. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13). "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come" (John 16:13).

Praying in tongues, as the Spirit impresses us can "take care of things" before they happen. Have you ever been awakened at 3 a.m. to pray and not know what to pray or how? Praying in the Spirit helps us in that circumstance. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, "For no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

You mentioned that you awoke a few years ago at night, and that praying in the Spirit helped relieved your anxiety. Have you ever been awakened at in the night to pray and not know what to pray or how? Praying in the Spirit helps us in that circumstance. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, "For no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

Praying in the prayer language gives us a "direct line" to God. "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God" (1 Corinthians 14:2.) God the Holy Spirit can talk to God the Father in ways we cannot. "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God" (1 Corinthians 14:2.) God the Holy Spirit can talk to God the Father in ways we cannot.

Praying in the Spirit acclimates us to the realm of the Gifts of the Spirit. I believe it is a stepping stone to the other gifts. For these six reasons you can see that speaking in tongues is much more than just a sign of the Holy Spirits Baptism.

Robert, please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Elder Madden,

I sent a thank you to you in the ratings section, but I wanted to make sure you get it so I am sending it here as well. Below is my response... Robert
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Thank you very much for your timely and thorough response.

I accept what you say about trusting that I have received even though there may be no tangible evidence of having received. Often when I pray in tongues for longer periods of time it feels dry, and at times even difficult. But I resolve to to believe the Word and trust that my spirit is being edified, and that at some point down the road I will see a flow into my life as a result. In the past month or so I have given myself to learning to 'pray without ceasing', which I believe Paul was inferring that this would be almost all in tongues. I'm learning to do this quietly under my breath while focusing on my duties of the day. Because I am putting this amount of effort into it, I have been tempted to doubt as I surely do not want to be wasting this kind of time and energy without eternal benefit. I also believe these doubts come as a result of influence from the forces of darkness, as I can imagine that tongues are a more powerful tool in the hands (or should I say mouths) of believers than many might think.

I feel rather alone in pressing ahead with tongues, as at this point there really isn't anyone in my family, church, or circle of friends that believe what I believe about praying in tongues, which is in line with the 6 reasons you outlined in your response. It is good to have this encouragement, and I am retaining your response to have it at hand to read when doubts arise.

Once again, many thanks.

Robert
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Answer
Robert,

Praise the Lord brother! I am glad to read that how that you are praying in the Spirit. I too have purposed to pray as often as I am able in tongues. There are many times at work I will be walking between jobs and I will be praying, either in known or unknown tongues. Be encouraged, and continue to seek the Lord always.

Robert, I would also like to help clear something up that you wrote. You said that..."In the past month or so I have given myself to learning to 'pray without ceasing', which I believe Paul was inferring that this would be almost all in tongues."
I agree that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write the words "pray without ceasing" (1 Thes. 5:17). However, it important that we as Believers understand what prayer is. The meaning is not that Believers should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer is communion/fellowship with the Father. In other words, as we stay connected to Him, our prayers just naturaly flow though us.

Hope this helps. Let's stay in touch brother.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1