Should Believers Desire To Speak in Tongues

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 NKJV

I come to the start of this week asking the question, where is the power of the church in America. And no, I am not referring to political circles or in culture arena’s. I am referring to the power of the church to see signs following (Mark 16:17-18). Jesus told the church that they will receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon them in Acts 1:8 and then we see evidence of speaking in tongues fall upon those initial receivers of the Baptism of the Spirit in Acts 2.

Could it be the church’s lack of power for signs following is a result of our deemphasis on speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance? Could it be that because we have turned the Baptism of the Spirit with speaking in tongues into a back burner doctrine, we have lost the power that flowed with it? For the sake of relevance and a desire to not “turn away” those who do not understand, have we neglected the very gift of God that empowers the church to rise above this world and be the Kingdom of God set apart.

When the church no longer demonstrates, or have as a part of their worship service, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance, they cut the importance and centralization of the Holy Spirit out and visitors and young people no longer desire the gift of the Holy Spirit, for they see no purpose or current reason to actively seek for it. So, should believers desire to Speak in Tongues? Below are ten Biblical benefits that result from speaking in tongues:

1. It is a manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4, 11; 1 Cor. 14:2)

2. Jesus commanded us to receive His gift. (Acts 1:4, 5:32; John 14:16-17; Eph. 5:18)

3. We are exhorted to be filled with the Spirit and pray in Tongues. (Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:14; 1 Cor 12:7-11; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph 5:18; Acts 19:2; 2 Cor 3:18)

4. Speaking in Tongues is a great gift given to believers. (1 Cor. 12:31, 14:4)

5. It enables us to have spirit-to-spirit communication with God. (John 4:24; 1 Cor 15:25; Gen 2:7; Rom 5:12; John 3:3-5,16)

6. Praying in Tongues builds and increases our faith. (Rom 12:6; Jude 1:20; Mark 9:23; Matthew 9:29)

7. Praying in Tongues activates the Fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 13)

8. Praying in the Spirit empowers us to “pray without ceasing”. (Eph. 6:18; 1 Thess 5:17; Matt 26:41; Luke 18:1; Luke 21:36; 1 Cor 14:15)

9. The Holy Spirit through Speaking in Tongues directs us in praying Gods will. (Rom. 8:27; 1 John 5:14-15)

10. Praying in Tongues quiets the mind. (1 Cor 14:2, 14)