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#1 Candice

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Posted 30 January 2015 - 06:43 PM

Is there a difference between the gift of tongues (which requires interpretation) and praying in a tongue which is for edification.

 

I heard preaching that praying in a tongue, alone with God, is a self-less effort because you do not know what you are praying, as the scriptures says "we do not know how to pray as we ought...").  This constitutes praying in the Spirit.

 

What do you think?



#2 John1:1

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Posted 02 February 2015 - 07:57 AM

Hi Candice,One must be careful not to rely upon a method or emotion to pray.The holy spirit enables us to pray what we ought as evidence that we are in him and he is in us.  I have found this site to be most helpful.  http://www.gotquesti...ing-Spirit.html

 

Blessings

John


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#3 Charles Miles

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Posted 02 February 2015 - 08:59 AM

I`m not really sure what "praying in tongues" actually is, so I`ll just make a comment that probably doesn`t help anyone with the answer to Candice`s question, but does point out what can happen during life`s events.  When one has a personal relationship with the Father, prayer usually come easily, like talking to Him in a conversational way.....but with utmost respect for who He is and what He has done for us. The term "fear of the Lord" comes to mind as defined as "reverential awe". But there are times when events come together that simply crush one into the ground, deep pain in the soul, out of seemingly nowhere something comes that unexplainable, and pain is so overwhelming that one does not know what to say, no adequate words will come out, it is not that you don`t want to speak with God, but the inability to grasp the problem, identify the need, or see out of the darkness that falls around you.   To me, that is when you must fall on your face before God and no words are sufficient, so in the midst of tears and pain, you ask for God`s help in the terrible situation.  Maybe this does not come out as words, but maybe just groans.  Tongues?  I don`t know, but I do know God hears that kind of prayer, and will take over that terrible burden if He is asked by His child.  These groans certainly do not need to be interpreted by anyone because they are uttered to the Lord directly....and He knows what we need even better than we.  The sounds that I made in my time of pain like described above, were certainly not for public prayer and I would never use it as such.

 

Let me end all this by saying that I think people make too much of "tongues" and public display of a "prayer language", but is it wrong?  I don`t have an opinion on right or wrong, but maybe "unnecessary" might be better used here when talking about a public display of these things.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Charlie


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#4 ADVRider

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Posted 02 February 2015 - 11:56 AM

Candace,

 

I think you'll get different answers on this one. Pentecostals will certainly say there are two "uses" of tongues, and that when Paul asks, "do all speak in tongues?" implying they don't, he is referring only to the "gift" of tongues listed in 1 Cor. 12. Said gifts in the list are for the church, meaning the assembled body. Thus, the reason here for all the instruction on the use of tongues "in the church." We know this portion of the letter was included because the young believers, who were gifted, were using these gifts in a way that brought confusion.

 

Pentecostals would also say there is the private use of a tongue, which Paul alludes to himself. This is what they would call "praying in the spirit." Here is where it gets controversial. Pentecostals say that while every Christian is not given the "gift" of tongues for the assembled body (as not all have all of the other listed gifts), they maintain any Christian can receive the gift of tongues (small g) as a prayer language. This is hard to ferret out of these chapters, but it is largely based on the scriptures in Acts where it says multiple times that "they all spoke with other tongues." It is not clear if this is so. It's also not clear if it's a different kind of tongue, or the same gift used differently in different settings. Non-Pentecostals would almost always say not every Christian can speak in tongues, and that there is only one kind.

 

As for whether "speaking or praying in tongues" is "praying in the Spirit," Paul seems to say "pray and sing with my spirit." Not sure about the Greek behind this though. So your question is probably going to be answered differently by those of varying traditions and/or experience. Personally, I think praying in the Spirit could include both ideas: being moved to pray the mind of God in your own language, and also praying in tongues privately. He does conclude by saying to desire that you may prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. I think one could infer after these three chapters he is mainly saying, do things decently and in order.


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#5 CaroAnn

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Posted 06 February 2015 - 08:55 AM

Romans 8:26

 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

 

My 2 cents worth is this....In my life and through the years there have most certainly been times of trial where I asked the Holy Spirit to intervene on my behalf with groanings to the Father that can not be uttered.  I felt Peace every time.  No "tongues" were used.


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#6 Candice

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Posted 07 February 2015 - 01:40 PM

Thank you all for your input and I appreciate it all. Funny, this is a most controversial topic, and one that, to me, seems a bit vague, even in scripture.

#7 colruet

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Posted 12 February 2015 - 10:53 AM

If I might add:

  Vague in Scripture to a certain degree and yet some "camp" their theology on many topics like these. Is it important, absolutely! But at the core, the Apostle Paul put it well when speaking about the gifts - "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good [emphasis added]...All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills." 1 Cor 12:7,11

 

  Our gifts from the Spirit are meant to edify the body of Christ. If they do not do that, we need to withhold and show self-control [also by the Spirit - Gal 5]. "In church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in tongue." 1 Cor 14:19


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#8 Joseph Horevay

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Posted 25 February 2015 - 09:19 PM

Great question.  1 Cor 14 is clear that tongues used as a public utterance (loud enough to hear in the assembly) must be accompanied by the companion gift of interpretation.  This is the net equivalent is a public prophetic utterance.  Paul limits this manifestation to two or at he most three times during the assembly. 

Our church experience is that occasionally there will be an utterance of tongues accompanied by an interpretation. Sadly this happens perhaps only a handful of times throughout any given year.  It is always orderly and edifying. The manifestation is not particularly emotive or ecstatic.  I suspect we see this so infrequently because those gifts are not taught on with regularity. 

 

Now tongues as a prayer language which Paul calls "praying in the Spirit" in 1 Cor 14 is far more common. Perhaps sixty percent of our adult members pray in tongues.  The exercise is mainly private and when in the assembly "under the breath" so as not to violate the limitations of 1 Cor 14.  All the practitioners attest to significant edification when they utilize their prayer language.  Our observation is the use of tongues is 95% orderly with the occasional person praying louder than a whisper.  These is never an ecstatic experience nor is there a loss of control.

 

My observation is those who utilize a prayer language grow in faith for other gifts, especially prophecy and healing.  We've seen unusual healings especially in the context of evangelism.  

 

I suspect if the gifts of the Holy Spirit were regularly taught and modeled it would equip and build the faith of the saints and unlock more supernatural ministry in the church.  The folks that are fearful and negative about tongues usually have little personal experience with the gifts and are often unfamiliar with the appropriate Biblical texts as well as unfortunate exposure to bold cessationists who trade in controversy and misrepresentation. 


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#9 Candice

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Posted 28 February 2015 - 11:28 AM

Thank you all.



#10 kevin l.eaton

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Posted 16 October 2015 - 12:20 AM

Jesus thoUght that the baptism of the holy spirit was quite important!! He told them not to leave jersusalem without it!! I believe that the lack of power and holiness etc. in the modern day church will be solved by a return to properunderstanding and practic of this vital truth!!

#11 Surely goodness

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Posted 09 September 2016 - 07:30 PM

Here & now , almost a year later I have found a place to visit or share. Praise the Lord for an opportunity to lift Him up.
I was born again in Feb. I was soon Baptized in water in the month of April. Praise God
Prayerfully looking to our Lord I received ((after church service)) the Baptism of the Holy Ghost . In this wonderful experience, I had believed & prayed for the Baptism since salvation. IN my time of worship, driving home w/o thought my language ceased and another Holy precious language came forth. HE the Holy Ghost was within my heart , not I speaking from my head.
I have no words to express the time of rejoicing.
THE one thing I know evidence was within and then without..
I pray everyone "Born again" will receive His gift(s). He left us the promise.
I love our Comforter & Teacher. God bless as only He can. Amen
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