BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

* * * * * * article continues * * * * * * Finally, men were coming out of spiritual darkness into the light of the glory. The Apostle Paul dared to pray that the eyes of men’s understanding be flooded with light so they could intimately know and understand the heretofore hidden mysteries of an awesome God. Through this great apostle the Lord revealed the ways and the workings of His Spirit. Tongues and interpretation are the only operations of the Spirit not in the Old Testament. But, as I said earlier, with the outpouring of the Spirit all those other manifestations—the words of knowledge or wisdom, discerning of spirits, working of faith, working of miracles, gifts of healings and prophecy—were lifted to a higher dimension than ever before. Tongues connects us to all those other operations of the Spirit. In fact, as I was looking for a way to describe what I was beginning to understand in the spirit, I heard the Holy Spirit within my own spirit say to me: 'Tongues is the Swiss army knife of the spirit.' Instantly I understood. All operations of the Spirit are inside of tongues. He pulls out the appropriate tool “as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). No other work of the Spirit is so exhaustive, so vital or so available. No wonder Jesus said it was a sign of those who truly believe (Mark 16:17). V * * * * * * * * * * * First Corinthians 14 lays out how tongues opens our eyes to these mysteries, takes hold of God’s will and transfers it into this natural world. Just look at the wonders and the magnitude of tongues: FIRST CORINTHIANS 14 VERSE 2A “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God....” For the believer, tongues is a direct line that immediately takes our speaking out of a natural human means of communication into a heart-to-heart encounter with God, in the way heaven communicates: in the spirit. VERSE 2B “...howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” What mysteries? Ephesians 1:17 ("AMPC") calls them the mysteries of God and 1 Corinthians 2:10 ("AMPC") calls them “the profound and bottomless things of God.” Mysteries of any and all kinds are hidden in God and we tap into those mysteries by praying in tongues. Mysteries about God Himself! By praying in the spirit we can uncover mysteries about the realm of the spirit as well as the mysteries of our natural world. We know there are untold medical mysteries to be solved. But what about mysteries in areas of science, politics, military strategy and the creative arts? Do we know everything about education, social issues and technology? And hey, what about global warming? No, there are still mysteries in every aspect of our lives that have yet to be revealed. And then of course, there is the mystery of the future. Not only what awaits us, but what the Lord wants us to do with it. All of these things are waiting to be given birth through the believer who will give himself to praying in tongues. VERSE 4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself....” Imagine it! You have been handed the ability to determine your own spiritual growth. Praying in the spirit builds you up and strengthens you in your inner man (Ephesians 3:16). VERSE 14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.” At first glance some people think this is a bad thing. But when you realize how limited the mind is, it’s a relief to know there is a way to pray beyond those limitations. Praying in tongues is not dependent on learned information or experience or natural mental powers. It draws instead from the mind of the Spirit which, of course, is totally unlimited in any possible way. VERSES 16-17, "AMPC" “If you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit...how can anyone…who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? To be sure, you may give thanks well.…” Again, first glance would indicate that Paul was being negative about giving praise in tongues. But really all he was saying is that you can’t testify in tongues because men won’t understand you. Remember that he who prays in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God. Of course, the exception to that is when there is interpretation. Praising in tongues helps you to reach lost or untapped depths of gratitude. I have caught myself in a complaining frame of mind and turned it around by reaching for a newfound gratitude through tongues. On the other hand, there are times when gratitude was already welling up so much within me that natural words just weren’t enough and it took the language of the spirit to express to the Lord just how much I appreciated Him. 24 : BVOV

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