The scripture says those who have the gift of speaking in tongues are not speaking to people. They are speaking to God and no one understands them, they are speaking secret things through the Spirit –1Cor 14:1. Many in the church today refuse to pray in tongues because they do not understand this scripture. Paul said in 1Cor12:1 now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.  Many have been misinformed today about the Holy Spirit, his gifts and mode of operation.

The scripture cannot be read in isolation because the bible is a progressive revelation. When you look through the old testament, you will not see the name of Jesus. However, He is the manna that they ate and the rock that they drank for 40 years. Think about this, the rock followed them in the wilderness – 1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

There is no doubt that the kingdom of God is a mystery (secret truth hidden for ages) but yearning to be revealed.  However, there are many in the church today like Cleopas (a faithful disciple of Jesus) who lacked revelation. I believed he followed Jesus for three years, but he didn’t understand him and what the scriptures says about him. So, beginning with Moses and throughout all the Prophets, Jesus explained and interpreted to him all the Scriptures and the things concerning and referring to Himself -Luke24:27

We have been told that when we pray in tongues, our mind is unfruitful. So many people pray in tongues without any expectation and some pray without a full appreciation what happens when we pray in tongues. We do things based on the revelation we got from people when we are supposed to ask the Holy Spirit to further explain things to us.  Some of us need the hear the complete story like Apollos – Acts 18:24-26 A man named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a Jew, born in Alexandria, Egypt, and a terrific speaker, eloquent and powerful in his preaching of the Scriptures. He was well-educated in the way of the Master and fiery in his enthusiasm. Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John. He preached with power in the meeting place. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story.

When you pray in tongues, you may be praying in tongues of men or angels -1Cor13:1. 1Cor14:14a says your spirit through the Holy Spirit prays. That means when you are praying in tongues, you may be the only person in the room, but you are not alone. That should change your perspectives about praying in tongues. When you pray in tongues, your spirit through the Holy Spirit is searching the deep realms of God for mysteries (things that were hidden which were meant to be revealed to you. Your natural mind cannot comprehend the mysteries of God, so you need to pray for the power to interpret the mysteries that you have prayed for.

Paul said Therefore, the person who speaks in an tongue should pray [for the power] to interpret and explain what he says” -1Cor14:13. Many of us today are doing things in the kingdom of God  without an understanding of the mysteries (the secret that makes it work). It’s important to start praying for interpretation of what you pray in tongues.

Therefore, pray that utterance may be given unto you so that you may open your mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel – Ephesians 6:19. When God gives you utterance , you will prophesy and speak words that will edify , exhort and comfort people and yourself. You will understand the working of the kingdom of God, your eyes and ears will be open, and you will be healed.

Please study the scriptures used in this post and leave a comment on a fresh revelation God has given you to be a blessing to someone.