“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (Jn 4:23-24 NIV)
Jesus said that those who believe in Him would “speak in new tongues.” (Mark 16:17 - emphasis mine) The word “new” means “appearing for the first time.” This is a heavenly language that no one on earth had ever spoken before. It is not the old languages of those born on this planet. The “new tongues” are to be spoken by those of the new birth’- those who have been Born-Again. (Jn 3:5-16)
The language of Heaven is one of the facets of the sacred secret of God that was revealed at Pentecost. The ability to speak this beautiful language was given by the Holy Spirit so that the Christian can purely worship and glorify God, intercede on behalf of another, as well as be personally edified and strengthened.
It is one of the spiritual things that are common to those who willingly receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. It is to be used primarily as a private devotional prayer language because it is the heavenly language of love between the Bridegroom and His bride. It is pure and intimate love talk that is a beautiful way to circumvent the limited vocabulary of human language so the Christian can genuinely express to the lover of their entire being how they love Him.
There are five examples in the Bible of people who received the Filling of Holy Spirit, most often erroneously referred to as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44; 19:6) In three out of the five times, there are specific examples that physical signs took place, including people speaking immediately in Tongues.
These examples have been used to establish the teaching that the proof of a person receiving the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” or even possessing Holy Spirit, is speaking in Tongues. However, there are two examples that the manifestation of physical signs, including speaking in Tongues, is implied but not explicitly mentioned.
That is a 60% probability but not a 100% certainty. It is hard to comprehend that anyone would willingly start a journey by getting on an airplane that had only a 60% chance of getting to its destination without being coerced. Yet, there are many in the church on both sides of the issue who have essentially demanded that others join them on that uncertain journey by adamantly staking their claim of doctrinal absolutes and remaining dogmatic about their belief and accuse those who don’t agree with them of being ignorant, or even worse, deceived by the enemy.
The facts are that there is no substantial or conclusive evidence that speaking in Tongues is the primary proof of receiving the Baptism (or filling) of the Holy Spirit. It may not be a requirement, but it is undoubtedly a privilege and blessing. A Christian isn’t required to speak in Tongues. However, they certainly can share in this marvelous blessing if they choose to do so.
Many people inaccurately define speaking in Tongues as “speaking gibberish” or “talking mumbo-jumbo nonsense” because, they often say, it is of the devil. The truth is that speaking in the celestial language of Tongues is the most intelligent and perfect language in the universe. Those who eagerly desire spiritual things should desire to pray in Tongues because it is God’s language, and it comes as a gift from Heaven.
“For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” (1 Cor 14:2 KJV)
Worshipping God in Spirit and Truth
God desires that every Christian minister to Him in adoration, praise, and thanksgiving - as well as through living in trusting-faith. The human mind is limited in its ability to adequately express to God the emotions and feelings towards Him that well up in the heart. Praying in the language of Heaven overcomes the limitations of the mind and intellect to effectively minister to God (Acts 13:2).
It is important to note that a person does not need to feel the anointing of God to pray using the heavenly language. It should come as naturally as speaking in their human language. However, one must always pray in trusting-faith to be effective (Matt 21:22; James 5:15).
The enemy didn’t know anything about speaking in Tongues because it wasn’t part of Old Testament revelation. He can’t understand it because it is NOT his language. God has revealed it to Christians exclusively by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:8,10). Tongues are the sacred and secret language of Heaven.
Pure Intercession
Speaking in Tongues is speaking, or praying through the Holy Spirit who lives in every Christian. The natural mind does not know what it should pray for so the Holy Spirit searches the heart and makes intercession on behalf of the Christian who is praying. Sometimes, the prayer is without words spoken but through groaning and tears, just as when Jesus groaned in the Spirit and offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears. (Jn 11:33; Heb 5:7)
“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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom 8:26-27 KJV)
Just as the Christian does not know how to effectively pray for their self, they do not always know how to effectively pray for others as well. The ministry of intercession is what Jesus chose when He ascended to the right hand of the Father. (Heb 7:20-
25)
By praying through Holy Spirit, the Christian is bypassing the intellect and giving Him free rein to pray for those who need prayer for whatever the reason could be at a specific moment in time, no matter who they are, or where they might be.
Praying in the language of Heaven is extremely important for pure intercession on behalf of another, self-edification, increasing spiritual knowledge, praise, edifying the Church when interpreted, as a sign to spiritual seekers, and as a fulfillment of prophecy. (1 Cor 14:2-22 - also Rom 8:26-27)
Praying with human knowledge and understanding is limited because of all that is unknown or understood by the finite mind of human beings compared to the infinite knowledge found within God. When a Christian prays using their heavenly language Holy Spirit is making intercession for them according to the will of God.
However, it is still vitally important to pray with understanding, as well as with the language of Heaven, to perfectly and effectively intercede for one’s self as well as on behalf of others. It should take precedence over praying with the intellect because it consists of inspired utterance from the Holy Spirit through them to God on their behalf.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints”. (Eph 6:18 NIV)
Self-Edification
Throughout my life, there have been many times that I could not pray, or I was just too tired or weary to pray or didn’t know how to pray effectively, due to the pressures of ongoing trials and tribulations. My spirit was indeed willing, but the flesh was weak. I continuously use my spiritual language. No one has ever heard it because I use it privately.
Praying in Tongues is the most important and essential way for personal spiritual edification (to build up) for encouragement and to provide the strength to endure trials and attacks from the enemy, as well as to accomplish the work of Holy Spirit within the Christian, which is impossible by any other means. (1 Cor 14:5) It also provides spiritual rest when weary. (Isa 28:11-12)
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 20-21 NIV)
Using the heavenly language also stimulates faith within. Growing in faith comes by studying and hearing the Word of God. (Rom 10:17) Trusting-faith is strengthened and increased by praying in the language of the Holy Spirit.
It is one of the most enjoyable and spiritual acts a Christian can do and will never take preeminence from - nor could it ever hinder - studying the Word of God. It can only help the Christian gain greater understanding of the revelation knowledge already contained in God’s Word.
Using the heavenly language when speaking to God is as vital to the growth of the Christian as reading God’s Word and praying with understanding. Along with the diligent study of the Bible, Tongues helps to inoculate the Christian from false teaching and deception as it builds them up to stimulate trusting-faith, reminding them that Holy Spirit dwells within and helps them to pray in line with God’s perfect will.
Praying in the heavenly language of Tongues is a supernatural act that comes directly from God. It is both a privilege and blessing and the way to “give thanks well” to God. (1 Cor 14:1-3, 15-17)
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” (1 Cor 14:1-3 NIV)
When a Christian prays in the spiritual language of Tongues, they don’t know what they are praying for, or what they are praying about, because they are speaking “mysteries” or sacred secrets from Holy Spirit. Speaking in Tongues will also help to open the doorway to moving freely in the realm of the manifestation gifts of Holy Spirit and experience His extraordinary anointing and power to serve others.
A Healthy Habit
There are health benefits to praying and worshipping in the language of Heaven. I wrote the following on this subject.
“Dr. Carl Peterson, a Brain specialist, and scientist did research some years ago at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on what the relationship was between the Brain and praying in a spiritual language. He found out that vocal worship, praise, and prayer in a spiritual language causes stimulation in the Hypothalamus and the hormone production of Endorphins and Enkephalins. Both of these can increase the body’s general immunity by 35 to 40 percent. These hormones have opiate qualities that are 100-200 times more powerful than morphine. They affect the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body.”
When a person prays or sings in worship to God, the brain becomes highly engaged. Studies have shown that worship in prayer and song improves brain function. Dr. Andrew Newberg, the director of research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical College in Philadelphia, has studied the effects of prayer on the brain for nearly two decades.
Part of his research was taking brain scans of people as they prayed. He discovered that deep and meditative prayer increases positive activity in the brain. When done continuously for more than 12 undisturbed minutes daily, it may slow age-related decline of brain function and increase memory. Dr. Newberg’s research also uncovered several additional benefits and effects of prayer on the brain, which are summarized below.
He uncovered that praying in the heavenly language temporarily decreases activity in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is located just behind the forehead. The frontal lobe becomes activated when a person focuses their attention on something specific, whether good or bad, such as making plans or decisions using human reasoning and logic. When a person is worried or fearful about something, it increases the adverse effects that normal aging has on the frontal lobes of the brain and can cause deterioration that is associated with loss of memory and mental function, such as dementia.
Dr. Newberg’s studies also revealed that praying in the language of Heaven suspends the frontal lobe doorway that keeps information organized and attention focused so that new ideas and thoughts can have a more profound impact on the person in prayer and undoes the effects of negative thinking through such things as worry and fear. It can help keep the brain healthy and strong as well by improving the cognitive behaviors and processes used for making decisions and positive choices.
Prayer also activates the anterior cingulate of the brain, which is located just behind the frontal lobe. This area helps to make a person more aware of those around them so they can sense how another feels and respond with increased compassion and empathy. Prayer increases activity in the anterior cingulate and brings about a sense of comfort and peace as well as reducing stress, anxiety, and other harmful emotions because it deactivates the limbic system.
The parietal lobes of the brain that are located above and slightly behind the ears are deactivated when praying. This area of the brain is activated when a person feels an increased sense of self-awareness when feeling lonely, isolated, or afraid. Activity in this area drops when praying or singing in Tongues and self-awareness diminishes, which enables a person to feel more acceptable and ‘at one’ with God, as well as with fellow Christians.
Praying in the Heavenly language also deactivates the limbic system, which is the oldest region of the brain. This region is made up of several components located at the top of the spinal cord - the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, septal area, and cingulate cortex.
All mammals, including dogs and cats as well as birds, fish, and even reptiles, have this type of brain system. It was designed to help fight for survival. It becomes activated when a person dwells on negative images and feels destructive emotions such as anger, guilt, worry, stress, fear, depression, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, unforgiveness, and pessimism.
Increased activity in the limbic system impairs the immune function of the body by raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease, as well as undermining the function of - and causing damage to - the frontal lobe and anterior cingulate of the brain.
By praying in the language of Heaven negative emotions in the limbic system can be prevented from becoming activated and can help turn on positive emotions and improve the functioning of the immune system which will result in a happier, healthier and longer life.
Stepping Out in Trusting-Faith
As the Christian praises the beautiful God audibly, they may experience stammering lips. As they continue to yield their tongue to Holy Spirit, He will speak through them with words foreign to their understanding.
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” (Isa 28:11 KJV)
To pray in the language of Heaven, the Christian has to let go of natural reasoning and relinquish self-control so that God can take control. It is a spiritually generated language.
Holy Spirit will give the words when a Christian willingly yields their tongue to Him. Jesus promised that “if you ask, it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” When a Christian asks for this spiritual language of love, He will give it to them because He knows how to “give good gifts” to His children. (Luke 11:9-13 KJV)
It does not interfere with what a person is doing or thinking. Praying in the language of Heaven is not letting a familiar evil spirit take over a person’s tongue. It is a free choice of the will as they humbly yield their tongue to God. A person can start and stop when they want too, speak, or even sing at their own pace, out loud, or in muted silence. The Christian is entirely in control because the Holy Spirit is living inside of them.
The Language of Love
The apostle Paul said, “He who speaks in tongues edifies himself...I would like every one of you to speak in tongues”. (1 Cor 14:4,5) In light of the joy and blessings, the spiritual language of Tongues has to offer, and it is hard to understand why so few Christians desire this gift of love and are steadfast against its use.
God’s first language is not silence - it is love! It is incredible to me that there is a growing number of leaders in the church who are embracing pseudo-spirituality through mystical methods of meditation, labyrinths, prayer mapping, candle lighting, circle drawing, breathtaking and contemplative/ soaking/centering prayer that have absolutely no biblical foundation, and that are actually rooted in Gnostic heresy as well as the Occult and eastern mysticism, in order to try and connect with God, rather than embracing the biblical language of Heaven, which many of those same leaders adamantly say it is not for today, or worse, is of the devil!
This wondrous gift is available to every Christian. I honestly can’t imagine anyone who loves God not wanting to transcend the limits of their human language and be able to intimately praise and worship Him in spirit and truth through Tongues - the language of Heaven.
“Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name; bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits”- -that my spirit, full of joy, yearned to express this totally- -”all...within me” to break forth in heavenly blessing.” (Ps 103 NIV)
