Tongues: Controversial, Foolish and Offensive yet a Mysterious+Powerful Weapon in Spiritual Warfare

Hello All,

So the reason why I am posting this is primarily to edify believers to:

1.Use this gift more in their day to day personal lives
2. Encourage believers to ask for this gift if they do not have it
3. See how it is necessary, important and God ordained function in the church

The purpose of this is not to discourage believers who do not have the gift.

Recently I posted a thread asking for the history of tongues throughout church history, it turned out to become another long discussion on the matter of tongues. Also recently the topic of tongues has been brought up more in my own life and so I thought I would share the things I have learned from other believers and from the Holy Spirit on the mystery, power and God ordained purpose of tongues in the church.

I will share a few quick thoughts and testimonies.
Please only respond if the purpose is for that stated above

1.I first want to point out the utter foolishness of tongues. Think about it, to absolutely everyone it is foolish. To unbelievers, to believers and even to those who have the gift! It is an offence to our human reasoning and pride! Many times even after receiving the gift believers will not use it because of its offence and foolishness to others and themselves. It doesn't make sense to them how babbling strange sounds can be helpful or benefit others.

But it was this foolish thing that God used to START the early church! Think of 120 people speaking in tongues to the point that the carnal mind sees them as drunk! But God in this foolishness used it to display His wisdom and 3000 people were saved! It was tongues that scattered people centuries before and now tongues that now brought people together in Christ! WOW the wisdom of God in using this foolishness!

I would say that if God used this foolishness to start the church, should we not continue with it to maintain a spiritually strong church? I believe there is a reason why Paul takes time to say "do not forbid speaking in tongues"

2. Recently I came across a book called "the Glory Within" by Corey Russel (http://www.coreyrussell.org/?page_id=647) which specifically talks about the power, mystery and benefit of speaking in tongues to deepen the inner life of a believer. The back of the books says this

“Amazing, The Apostle Paul said, “I pray in tongues more than you all.” Why? Why such a boast? There must have been some outrageous power and blessing in it for the greatest Apostle to herald it. And if so there must be a great recovery of that ancient tongue of fire. My friend, Corey Russell in this book with fiery impetus puts a compelling demand on that recovery. It’s not just words. For four years, I’ve watched this man’s prayer life – much tongues in the Spirit leading to the mighty tongues of fire on his own life."

I would also like to add that Paul also said "I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you" and "I wish you all spoke in tongues" Many times we discredit and glaze over these words because of other points he makes such as desiring prophecy more than tongues HOWEVER the latter does NOT override the former they are both truths that need to be taken into consideration.

In light if what I read in scripture of Paul testifying that he prayers unceasingly I would say he used this gift a lot and that it played a crucial part in his own ministry.

If the apostles Paul used this gift and he was raised by God to be an example to all the church throughout the ages then should be not follow in the footsteps of this mighty servant?

3. Tongues is a gift from God and it is perfect (James 1:17)
When someone gives a gift it is a very personal thing and is done because that person loves and cares for us and believes that the gift will help us or benefit us in some way. Now in a human relationship the persons intentions may be correct but perhaps he does not know you as well as he/she thinks they do and the gift is not beneficial in anyway however if you love them you will still receive it and try to use it because you know they put their heart in it.

How much more for our Heavenly Father who knows us inside and out? When He gives a gift He knows it is best for us and He does it out of His infinite LOVE for us!

But many times we do not use this gift and we miss out on something that was supposed to benefit us soo much, even worse we reject this gift from our Father who intended it for good and throw it back in His face, even worse many times we also demonize it and call what God gave as perfect evil.

I would think that this breaks His heart and should offend Him but I think that He is very gracious and compassionate.
Personally, I would feel so horrible if I did that to my earthly Father even more so my heavenly Father.

Tongues is a part of WHO GOD IS. It is written in His Word thought up BY HIM. Christ is the Word in the flesh in Isaiah 50:4 it says

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

Paul also references Isaiah 28:11 as a prophecy on the gift of tongues in 1 Cor 14

Yes this also talks of the ministry of preaching and teaching the Word but I believe it also is a reference to tongues as well.

Thus to reject tongues is to reject a part of who Christ is!
Since He is the Word in the flesh which included the above verses.

4.The Mystery of Tongues
When we speak in tongues it unlocks the profound mysteries that was going on in the spirit of Christ as He walked the earth.

1 Cor 14:2
For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

it also says in the word
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

When we allow the gift of the Spirit inside of us to pray through us the Spirit brings deep understandings into our spirit of the deep things of God.

Now I want to point out that this passage from 1 Corthians 2 isnt specifically referring to tongues but those with the Spirit in general (meaning all believers) but it does also apply to tongues as well as to those with other gifts of the Spirit because they function through the Spirit inside of us. In short it allows us to see a different aspect of Christ but does not us better.

5. The power of speaking in tongues
I want to share a few powerful testimonies of tongues

For myself personally tongues has helped deliever my soul from a lot of bondage to fear and given my boldness and much joy.

In the book Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger
God used the gift of tongues to deliever converts who were ex drug addicts from their addictions painlessly!

In the book the Glory Within

A church i beleive in south america was encouraged to pray in tongues all the time unceasingly as much as possible

A farmer in the congregation would speak in tongues as he was driving the tractor. One day his co worker did not show up and he found him dead in a shack. He had hung himself and there was a putrid smell. Immediately his flesh told him to run but because of his constant communion in the spirit he was led to stay and stared to pray in tongues. As he continued to pray a phrase start to form "I praise you Jesus you have gained the victory" as he said these lines the corpse sat up. The man was SHOCKED and again in his flesh he wanted to run but his spirit told him to stay. As he continued to pray the corpse came to life and the dead man received Christ right then and there.

One last testimony I believe that is in the book:
A student in seminary was asked to help a pastor teaching there in a deliverance. He was told to pray with a group of other students in a corner, in a chapel in tongues. As they start to pray the demon manifested and the voice of the man possessed change and said "stop praying" immediately the pastor commanded the demon the translate what they were saying the man answered "they are proclaiming the victory of Jesus" encourged by this the students continued to pray louded until the demon was casted out.

I guess some would ask why could demons understand a language from God? I would say that in 1 Cor 13 Paul talks about the tongues of men AND angels....very simple demons are fallen angels so it makes sense they know what they were saying.

I hope this post encourages you in faith.
I know that it will encourage those that it needs too and was meant too!

blessings
In Christ
Evangel

Evangel:

Just a note of clarification for anyone who might be tempted to think that anyone would imply that someone who does not speak in tongues is unspiritual or seen as somehow less in the Kingdom of God. When we are born again we do receive the indwelling and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the accompanying gifts of the Spirit and ability to pray in tongues is for the purpose of empowerment for ministry. It is a subsequent experience that is freely available from Jesus for anyone who desires it.

I have found praying in tongues to be a vital and important part of my Christian walk. I am edified as I pray in tongues. When I don't know how to pray I can, by faith, pray in tongues over the situation knowing full well that my spirit prays the hidden things that I cannot see but that the Spirit of God who is in full fellowship with my born again spirit knows full well. (1 Cor. 2).

Thanks for the post.

Hey Twayneb,

Thanks for your clarification on this issue!

martyr, I am glad that you were encouraged may the Lord continue to bless you!

In Christ
Evangel

Matthew 23:19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Jesus put His own blood on the altar, where is the altar? In you.

Jesus defeated satan at the altar of the Cross. He first defeated him in the wilderness, just by the Word of God, satan left. He had to.

All we do when we go through all our doings to defeat satan by our retoric, is give satan glory for believeing that satan was not defeated and give him an opening of whom we are serving in this foolishness.

We can only be attacked by satan if God allows him to, then what can we do if it is for our good? All things are from God and we are more than overcomers, because God is behind it and it is for our good.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

There is none like us in the earth, except brothers and sisters in Him, New creatures, a new creation race of Gods sons.

Only God can allow demonic attack for the believer. The big question is why, not how do we in our petty doings try to get out of it. Paul ask three times and God said, "my grace is sufficent for you". Paul knew why also, to keep Paul from being puffed up, because of the surpassing knowledge of the Christ He preached. "Christ in you the hope of Glory". God will get the glory, no matter how hard we try to take it away from Him.

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Thank God in all things, give Him the Glory, don't give the attacker the glory by believing he can do it of himself.

Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Did Job ever confront the devil?

Who came out on top? Blessings and riches and brethren and sons and daughters of Job, more than Job had before satan tried to get Job to curse God and die, even from Job's wife and friends, he would not do it. What a blessing.

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

Often the most severe punishment that God can bring upon men is to "lay upon them no other burden" than to leave them to the inevitable consequences of their own folly, or to the trouble and vexation incident to the effort to free themselves from what they had for a long time tolerated or practised. Let us accept our punishment and trouble with thanks giving. I know I am a son. Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. This has nothing to do with my salvation but sanctification.
1 Corinthians 1:29-31 That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Glorify God not satan.

In Christ: Phillip

Hey I just wanted clarify when I put tongues a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare I DID NOT mean in that way.

What I mean was simply that
1. Tongues edifies and strengthens us for battle
2. When we pray in tongues we are literally petitioning the things of God before the throne to allow Him to answer as He pleases.

This two things in themselves makes tongues powerful.
I by no means mean speaking in tongues to "the devil"

In Christ
Evangel

1. Tongues edifies and strengthens us for battle

But the battle is the Lords, not ours in our own stregenth or gifts not distributed by the Holy Spirit as He wills.

2. When we pray in tongues we are literally petitioning the things of God before the throne to allow Him to answer as He pleases.

Christ is our propitiation and petition before the Father. Faith is what the power that brings the answer that pleases God for His glory and His Son's reward, not the speaking without understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:15-20 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

In Christ: Phillip

Paul does more teaching on the purpose and activity of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 2. Paul speaks of ministry flowing not out of his own power or eloquence, but that the power of the Holy Spirit flowed through him, strengthening and empowering him for ministry. I have found praying in tongues to be a very powerful part of this strengthening and empowering. Paul tells us that when a man prays in tongues that he edifies himself. I have found this to be very true. I have also found tongues to be extraordinarily powerful when I am facing difficult issues that would tend to cause me to walk in the flesh. When we face emotional and mental stresses, and we all do, these things often have the effect of causing our flesh to rise up. Since we need to walk in the spirit, I have found praising the Lord in tongues to help me put the flesh down and allow the Holy Spirit to have ascendency as I begin to walk in the spirit rather than in the flesh.

Paul also teaches us in this same chapter that through the Holy Spirit we can know the things of the Spirit of God. He sums it up with a very strong statement. We have the mind of Christ. This means that we have His mind in the matter. We know what He thinks. We know His will. The problem is that we do not always know this in our own mind. It is something we know in our spirit through fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. Paul also tells us that when a man prays in tongues it is his spirit that prays although his understanding remains unfruitful. If in my spirit I have the mind of Christ and know His will and His heart in the matter, and if praying in tongues is my spirit praying, then praying in tongues allows me to pray the perfect will of God in any situation. It is a very powerful way to pray and one that I have found to be very helpful. When I do not know how I should pray, I do know that if I can pray in the spirit I can pray what my mind may not comprehend but is the perfect will of God in the situation.

It must be understood though that there is a difference between the ministry of tongues and interpretation (two of the nine gifts of the spirit that must act in concert if the believer is to be in proper spiritual order in the assembly) and praying or speaking in tongues on a personal level.

Although I have had God give me the interpretation of my own prayer in tongues from time to time. In that situation I became aware of what I was praying over a situation with my understanding while I was praying in tongues.

I am so thankful for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and for the fact that God has chosen to establish tongues as a part of sending the Holy Spirit. I have found it so powerful and wonderful in my own life.

I actually have a question for you guys.

When I pray most of my prayer is either in groanings and tongues with things I cannot express in words. However, I also force myself to pray in english and petition things in english that are important to me, I feel very burdened in my spirit when I do this and would much rather go back to groaning and tongues. The problem is I dont know what I am praying for when I groan so a part of me feels like its important because well if do not know what I intercede for then I could be missing somethings that I do want to pray for, ex specific family

What would be a good way to approach this?

In Christ
Evangel

Pray in the spirit, and pray with your understanding. Both are important. Don't forsake either.

Romans 8:26 says that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings "which cannot be uttered". It is not us making noises and groanings but the Spirit takes care of this for us - we do nothing.

I think people have decided that this verse actually means that the Spirit uses their mouth to actually make groaning noises. I am not sure that is the point Paul is making. Paul is essentially saying that the Spirit is interceding for us in a manner which cannot be comprehended. God understands the desires in us when we pray and sometimes in our helplessness and humanity, we cannot think of how or what to pray. Then the Spirit intercedes on our behalf.

This, I find, is such a wonderful reassuring truth from the Word! Praise God.

I think people need to be very careful about the gift of tongues (which actually in Scripture is languages and not the sort of unintelligible gibberish heard in many churches today). I have heard pastors tell their congregations that they cannot achieve anything unless they pray in tongues.

Tongues, clearly in the Bible, is taught as languages and the interpretation of languages. The historical occurrences and references are to proper dialects. The gift was to be used as a sign to unbelievers and to aid the presentation of the gospel to unbelieving foreigners.

There is no suggestion to a second "type" of tongues which is a special prayer language.

hi, i have obstained from posting here for many reasons... we are not to argue over or seek tongues... we are to seek the Holy spirit and as len ravenhill said "take everything that comes with Him". my dear friend will wrote a paper against tongues when at the baptist seminary and a few weeks later, with his mother in a comma ,he cried out to God for the power that the apostles had to raise up his mom and he began to speak in tongues and prayed for her and she was raised up.i prayed with tears over my sins that i was confessing and asked God for special help and began to speak in other tongues without ever attending a pentacostal church. it is a very abused item in the church and i understand the bias against wildfire or false fire but that does not negate the real fire of the Holy Spirit.jimp

EvangelTam wrote:
When I pray most of my prayer is either in groanings and tongues with things I cannot express in words. However, I also force myself to pray in english and petition things in english that are important to me, I feel very burdened in my spirit when I do this and would much rather go back to groaning and tongues. The problem is I dont know what I am praying for when I groan so a part of me feels like its important because well if do not know what I intercede for then I could be missing somethings that I do want to pray for, ex specific family

What would be a good way to approach this?

Travailing and groaning are associated with the pain of birthing (in the natural) and I believe that it is associated with birthing in the spiritual kingdom.

Do you have any computer bible program or a concordance at home? Look up every reference to groaning(s) and travail* (*ing, ings, s), then rest assured that the Holy Spirit is using someone is who is available (you), not everyone believes or even allows the Holy Spirit to groan or travail through them. I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit use you as He sees fit!

God bless,
Lisa

JIG, yes this is true, God will give us the interpretation. And He can show us what we are praying about in the Spirit. I saw an evil spirit leave a sick baby and he was well the next day as I prayed for him in tongues. I love the quote that a man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. Blessings to ALL;-)

Hi thank-you all for your replies, they were all very helpful. Thank you for all your advice and wisdom and thank you Lysa for your encouragements!

I have come to understand as said that I need to do both, though I have not quite figured out how long I should spent in praying in english, tongues and groaning. I also have not figured out how long to spend in worship both in english and tongues and on simply meditating on scripture and who He is. I guess there is probably not a formula to the above. sometimes I feel like I pray and do not rejoice enough but I am also scared of rejoicing to much and not praying!

I have discerned my flesh is trying to pull me into praying in English in a fleshly way and not in spirit but rather repetitive fleshly petitions where I think I will be heard because of my many word. I am still understandings how to pray in spirit in english and not just in tongues or groaning.

I would like to clarify one comment that was made
"Evangel, stick with English. I have never heard any tongues that aren't repetitive, in a really repetitive manner and I know scripture warns us against repetitive prayer."

Thank you for your advice I know it is done in love but
actually when I pray in tongues it is not just a few syllables but I can clearly hear that it varies a lot. I would also like to point out that any language will sound repetitive to a listener who does not speak it because languages in general use the same phonetic articulation however slight varies can drastically change a meaning.

Cooksta, I guess I don't really know how to respond because your saying that I am just crazy and that the spirit does not pray through groaning or tongues.

I think I would like to point out that the Spirit inside is groaning but it needs a body to pray through and the Spirit lives inside of US.

Jesus prays for us outside of ourselves but Romans 8:26 says the spirit HELPS us in our weakness we do not know to pray. This implies there is a part we must do and it is not as simple as He does everything for us.

I would also so say that it does say in the bible that tongues is a prayer language

1 Corinthians 14:14-15
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also

In Christ
Evangel

In Christ
Evangel

Evangel,

Your post about your prayer life raised a RED flag. Groaning in the spirit is indeed a good thing, but mustn't you know what you're groaning about? Especially if it comprises the bulk of your prayer life. If with your understanding you cannot sustain prayer the same way you do in tongues, it's not a good sign. I say this with love.

One thing that I have learned in my walk with God is that we must know Him - and to know Him means to be able to speak with Him as we would an earthly father, master, friend, lord etc. Listen to Bob Jennings, David Wilkerson, Paul Washer - listen to how they pray. You can tell they pray often, and they KNOW their God. They love Him, and are intimate with Him. (These are a few examples, only because they're the first that came to mind.) Particularly, listen to the prayer Bob Jennings says in the first 5 minutes of this sermon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrpNoXNnir0

I am in no way discouraging you from speaking in tongues, but be VERY careful if you do not relish in time spent with God in your understanding. For me, it shows an underlying problem.

Personally, I do not speak in tongues; but I believe that it is a gift that the Spirit still gives freely today as HE wills. I groan and weep in prayer, though, especially when I intercede for others, weep for my own life, or whilst in the midst of worship, thanksgiving, praise, adoration, repentance, petition etc. I always know what I am groaning about. I also pray without groans i.e. speaking with my voice. It is no more a burden to groan than it is to speak calmly with God. And I relish both 'ways' of praying, and others including singing, dancing etc. (This is just to show that it is indeed possible and GOOD to pray calmly in English and still pray with great fervency.)

Please, please, receive this post kindly. I do not mean to offend. But seek to KNOW God and to be able to worship Him with understanding and knowledge. The single most important thing for the Christian is to know God. Jeremiah 9:23-24 It's not a good sign if you cannot sustain a 'conversation' with Him.

In love,
Dlight.

Quote: """Jesus prays for us outside of ourselves but Romans 8:26 says the spirit HELPS us in our weakness we do not know to pray. This implies there is a part we must do and it is not as simple as He does everything for us."""

If Christ is interseeding for us and He lives in us where is He praying from.

Colossians 1:27-29 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to His working, which worketh in me mightily.

Who worketh in you mightily? Who are you striving for, self, or according to His working in you. We cannot make anything happen for the kingdom, only His working in us and us striving according to His work. How can we pray and receive revelation from the Holy Spirit of who this Christ that is in us is, unless we pray and listen with understanding.

Christ is in you and He is now your life, let Him come forth, quit trying to make your prayer life such a chore, Love God and speak to our loving Father and enter His rest.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

He is our Rest, In Christ: Phillip

evangeltam wrote:
I have come to understand as said that I need to do both, though I have not quite figured out how long I should spent in praying in english, tongues and groaning.

I can tell you that time praying in the Spirit is exponential compared to our time so I wouldn’t worry about how much of “your” time you spend praying; if you get my drift. :)

evangeltam wrote:
I also have not figured out how long to spend in worship both in english and tongues and on simply meditating on scripture and who He is. I guess there is probably not a formula to the above. sometimes I feel like I pray and do not rejoice enough but I am also scared of rejoicing to much and not praying!

PLease remember, it is the Lord who knows what He wants and when He wants it and how much of it He wants!! Don’t let the laws of your flesh try to dictate to the Spirit.

God bless you, Brother, all He is looking for is a willing vessel!!
Lisa

Amen Lisa.

Hey Lysa,

Thanks for your encouragement it was very helpful and loving =)
Yeah I am pretty religious when it comes to prayer but the Spirit has slowly been renewing my mind!

In Christ
Evangel

Evangel et.al.:

In your original post you pointed to the controversy over tongues. I thought I might address this a little bit.

First of all, we must be careful that we don't confuse some results of Pentecost with Pentecost itself. Jesus said that we would receive power after that the Holy Ghost was come upon us and we would be witnesses (martyrs). Paul taught in 1 Cor. 2 that his teaching was by this empowerment. Jesus said that He did nothing of Himself but acted as a man empowered by the Holy Spirit. The purpose of Pentecost is empowerment.

Now along with empowerment come gifts, tongues, etc. Some people have genuinely and legitimately experienced physical effects of this power in their bodies from time to time, e.g. "falling out" or shaking or the like. I think the problem has been that a great many believers have come to confuse effects of Pentecost with Pentecost itself. So they have, in their own soul realm, sought to reproduce the effects in lieu of the power and even confused the effects with the power itself. So we have created cultures within fellowships that are really very odd. I can almost tell what group you are from by watching your "culture" where the things of the Holy Spirit are concerned.

So it is no wonder that many oppose Pentecost so strongly. Based on what they have seen, I might have been tempted to do so as well. We need to focus on the real purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and not confuse the occasional effects that the Holy Spirit has on people with the Holy Spirit Himself.

That being said, don't look down on or despise the things that happen as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in a person. I remember one time as I prayed in my back yard that I experienced the power of God so strongly that I could hardly stand up. It was that night that God showed me in a vision something that was to come. It is the only time that has ever happened to me, and it was a very strong encouragement to me. But I don't seek to reproduce that event. I seek God and seek to allow Him to work through me to allow me to lay my life down and be empowered in ministry by the Holy Spirit.

I believe very strongly in the present day operation of all nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have seen them all in operation at one point or another and I have had God use me in a couple of them as He willed. But I must realize that the gifts are tools to be used by God through a person that He has empowered for ministry. I covet earnestly the gifts as I am told in the last verse of 1 Cor. 12, but I do so in the context of their intended purpose as Paul goes on to explain in 1 Cor. 13, that being to have His love flow from me to those He desires to minister to through me. They are a means that God uses to accomplish His ends, not an end in themselves.