Category: The Gospel

Has Jesus Called You?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus personally calls every disciple, just as he called Philip.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” John 1:43 (NLT)

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul wrote these encouraging words.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:29–30 (NLT)

Christianity is not a religion devised by men as a way to reach God. It is a relationship initiated by God who came looking for us. God knows each of us by name and has personally called us to belong to his family.

I recently attended a funeral of a dear friend at which a song was played that touched the hearts of many there. The chorus was repeated over and over again: “God is watching us from a distance.” It seemed to bring comfort to those present, probably because it is nice to consider that God cares, but its theology was poor. If God is watching us from a distance, it is because we don’t know him.

God is not distant. He is very much present in the lives of those he called.

One of the most recurrent phrases in the Bible is God’s telling us, “I am with you.” One the titles given to our Lord by the angel who appeared to Mary was Immanuel, which means God with us.

“BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” Matthew 1:23 (NASB95)

But God is not with everyone. He remains at a distance from those who do not acknowledge him. He does not know them in a saving way at all. Jesus uttered these sobering words about the last judgment when he will separate those who know him from those who do not.

But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:23 (NLT)

How do we move from the “not known” into the group with whom God dwells and knows by name? We must be called by God and then respond to that call. Those who respond prove that they are among the chosen. Jesus said that many are called, but few are chosen.

Many hear the gospel message, but few respond by asking Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.

Have you heard the Lord calling you to become his follower, or are you content to know him from a distance, which amounts to not knowing him at all?

Prayer

Jesus, I want to be among those who know you and are known by you. I feel the tug of the Holy Spirit upon my heart; so, I come to you now, asking you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me. Open the eyes of my heart that I might see you for who you truly are. I want to be your follower. I want to hear you call my name, just as Philip did. Forgive my sins and send your Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Thank you that you said you will never turn away anyone who comes to you. Amen.

Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away. John 6:37 (NET)
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Revelation Goes Both Ways

 

 

 

 

 

Revelation not only opens our eyes to Jesus’ true identity but also gives us the amazing realization that God knows who we are, too. Many people believe they are insignificant blips on God’s radar. They think he is much too busy governing the universe to take any notice of them and their unremarkable daily routine.

When we are confronted with the astounding revelation that God knows us intimately and cares about even the smallest details in our lives, it has a life-changing effect.

When Jesus met Nathanael, he told that man things about himself that only God would know, which moved him from skepticism to faith.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” John 1:47–49 (NASB95)

I have a friend whose wife had just gotten a terrible diagnosis and prognosis regarding cancer. He heard God say, “I know about this.” He told me that when he heard the Lord say that, his faith in a good outcome went through the roof. In fact, God completely healed her of stage four cancer afterward. Knowing that God knows us and our situation is transformative.

When Jesus met Peter, he let him know that God knew all about him, too.

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). John 1:40–42 (NASB95)

When Jesus spoke prophetically to Peter, it was not some “parlor trick” designed to awe him into being a disciple. God does not do things that way. The words Jesus told Peter were important at the moment and would be in the future. By changing his name, Jesus altered his destiny. He would become a rock of faith eventually, which was important for him to know later. When God tells us who we are, it supersedes every other thing ever told us.

Only God has the right to tell us who we are because only he truly knows us.

When the Holy Spirit reveals Christ’s identity to us, it not only transforms us through what is called the new birth, but it also marks us as one of God’s chosen ones.. When Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, this is what Jesus told him.

And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:17–19 (NASB95)

Jesus looked for those who would respond in faith to his message and identity. He knew that his heavenly Father had chosen certain ones to belong to him. When our Lord saw faith spring forth in a person, he recognized them to be part of that group his Father gave to him.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:27–29 (NASB95)

Revelation therefore reveals Christ to us and shows who we are, too.

Any blind person who came to Jesus requesting that his eyes be opened received what he requested. Should we think God would do any less for us? If you have yet to see Jesus in a way that opens your eyes to his true identity and makes you want to worship and serve him, you can ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes. That is what I did over fifty years ago. God revealed Jesus to me in a life transforming way. He will do the same for you.

Prayer

Jesus, I want to know you as John the Baptist and Peter did. I ask you to open the eyes of my understanding so that I can truly see Jesus. Holy Spirit, come into my life and change me on the inside, Make me a follower of Jesus. I surrender my life to you. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer and meant it, God will surely do his part to open your spiritually blind eyes. Please let me know when this happens for you.

For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NLT)

 

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There Are Two Kinds of People

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are only two kinds of people in the world – those who acknowledge and love God and those who refuse to do so.

The essence of sin is when we try to live independently from God. We try to create for ourselves a world without God. This is what the media does continually in its many movies and TV shows. The actors generally portray life without any reference to God at all. This is a fantasy with enormous consequences.

Ayn Rand said that we can ignore reality but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.

John Chapter One makes an insightful comment about this condition of mankind in general that wants nothing to do with God.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10–13 (NASB95)

Before Jesus was born to a virgin to fulfill an ancient prophecy, he existed as the eternal Logos, or Word of God, through whom everything that exists was created. He was and is the source of life, and everything that lives owes its existence and sustenance to him. But Adam and Eve made a fateful choice to turn their backs on their Creator which implanted in the human soul an antipathy toward God. Their descendants, which include us, are born into this world with a default condition called a hardened heart that produces spiritual blindness and deafness.

In spite of there being abundant evidence of the Creator all around us, we refuse to recognize or honor him. Instead we live with an inborn hostility toward God.

Why would God care about such rebellious inhabitants of the world that had been so beautiful in every way when he first created it? It is quite impossible to fathom the depths of love that motivated our Creator to send his only Son to come into this world as a human and give away his life to provide forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation to God.

When the Creator in human form arrived on the planet, only a very few recognized and honored him. The same is true today. Those who through revelation from God see him for who he is and surrender their hearts and lives to him will receive eternal life. Those who refuse him remain in a perilous condition of spiritual blindness and are hurtling toward an eternity without God, which is called hell. There will be no one in hell who did not choose to go there. Those who opt to live without God here on earth will be sentenced to do so forever. The big difference will be that before going there they will finally understand the truth. There is a God who made it possible for us to know and love him and to live forever in the joy of his presence. This understanding will no doubt make hell unbearable, a continual gnawing at the soul.

The choice is ours, an eternity of joy or one of painful regret.

Perhaps you are like I was. I did not know God, but I wanted to know him if he were really there. I asked this supposed God to come into my life and reveal himself to me, if he were real. Amazingly, he did just that. That happened over fifty years ago, and I have never regretted becoming a follower of Christ. There is nothing more important than knowing, loving, and serving God. Ask yourself to which group of people do I belong? If you are still among those who are trying to live without any reference to your Creator, isn’t it time to turn this ship around? Here is a sample prayer you can use right now.

Prayer

God, I have tried to live without you long enough. Forgive me for being a rebellious sinner. I come to you now, Jesus, and ask you to come into my life and reveal yourself to me. I want to know you. I want to be forgiven. I want to be in right relationship with Father God. I want the Holy Spirit to live inside me. I want to know what it is like to experience the joy of your presence and the kind of peace that passes understanding. I give you my life in return. I choose to live the rest of my days for you. Amen.

Here is a verse from the Bible with which you are no doubt familiar. Think about its significance for you now that you have asked Jesus into your life.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)
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How Do I Receive the Baptism in the Spirit?

It does little good to know all about a subject and never personally experience it. It is one thing to generally believe that God’s promises are real and true and quite another to personally receive one. Many believe that God heals, but fewer have received a supernatural healing. Many, even the devil, believe that Jesus died to save sinners, but fewer receive that salvation personally by faith.

If we keep truth at arm’s length and make it purely objective, we may be able to safely distance ourselves from the costs associated with obedience, but we will also rob ourselves of the joy of receiving something from God.

Faith is like breathing. It must be “inhaled” or received and “exhaled” or acted upon. God wants us to believe his promises are true, receive them for ourselves, and then act out our faith. For example, when Jesus told the centurion that his servant had been healed, that man believed Jesus’ words and acted appropriately by returning home.

And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.  Matthew 8:13 (NASB95) —

What we do after saying that we believe reveals whether we were just spouting empty words or truly believed in our hearts.

To receive the baptism in the Spirit requires that we accept the truth of God’s Word, receive his promise by faith, and act as if we believe he gave it to us.

Can I Be Sure This Promise Is for Me Today?

In the first sermon recorded after the initial outpouring of the Spirit, the apostle Peter made it clear that the baptism in the Spirit is for all God’s children for all time.

Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." Acts 2:38-39 (NASB)

A contextual reading of this section of Acts makes it plain that the “promise” means the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter explained what their speaking in tongues meant: it evidenced the outpouring or baptism in the Spirit, which was prophesied by Joel and later promised by John the Baptist and Jesus himself. Peter made it clear that God makes the baptism in the Spirit available to every person who would ever come to Christ – those present with Peter, their children, the Gentiles (those “far off”), and everyone else throughout time who will respond to the Gospel (“as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself”).

Jesus also made it clear that every child of God can receive this gift. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Holy Spirit when we ask him.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 (NASB)

Jesus died as the Lamb of God to provide us with forgiveness and reconciliation to the Father. He rose and ascended to heaven to become the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and pour out the Spirit upon his church. Because of this, we can be sure this amazing gift is for us.

Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.  Acts 2:33 (NASB95)

If we believe what is written above is true, we are faced with a decision. Will I receive this promise for myself by faith or not?

Will I value what Jesus died to give me or remain fearful or indifferent? I hope each of us will treasure and pursue what cost our Lord so much to provide for us!

Steps to Receive

Since the baptism in the Spirit is received by faith, we must be convinced that God has given it to us, receive it, and act as if we believe he has. That is how faith works. Paul asked the Galatian church the following telling question.

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2 (NASB)

The answer of course is that we must receive all of God’s promises by faith. We can never earn them. Here are four easy steps to receive the baptism in the Spirit.

  1. Believe that God will do what he says.

If we grasp that God has provided all believers with the privilege of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the next step is for us to believe that God is always faithful to his promises.

God’s complete trustworthiness is the foundation of all faith.

This is a simple concept; yet many people get hung up at this point. They may think, maybe it is not for me? God will bless everyone else, but not me. Such thinking is sinful unbelief from which we must repent. Cast that lie away and start believing God.

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (NASB)
  1. Ask and receive with simple faith as a child.
"For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11  "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12  "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:10-13 (NASB)

Children do not suspect devious motives in the giver or concoct complicated reasons a promise might not come true. When an adult makes a promise, a child expects it to happen. To God, we are all little children. We may have been disappointed many times by people who did not keep their promises to us, but God is not like that. If as a child we experienced adults lying to us and failing to follow through on their word, we must not let those memories and any attached lies about God to block us from trusting our heavenly Father.

As a child, believe, ask, and receive.

If something in our minds whispers that this is not going to happen for me, repent of that unbelief.

...You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 (NASB)

If I extend my hand to offer someone a hundred-dollar bill, what will that person need to do? Would it be enough to say thank you without making any effort to come forward to receive it? If we want the money, we will act. Similarly, we receive the baptism in the Spirit by asking the Lord to baptize us and then by actively receiving.

Faith receives before it sees any outward visible evidence. Faith depends on the promises and character of God alone. It knows that God will keep his word and that his promises are true.

Faith does not doubt. It does not struggle with wondering if God will keep his end of the deal. It receives and moves on, just as when the Roman Centurion believed Jesus healed his servant and returned home. (Luke 7:10)

  1. Give thanks.

After receiving a gift, grateful people say, “Thank you.” After we ask for and receive the baptism in the Spirit by faith, we should begin to thank and praise God.

Thanksgiving demonstrates faith.

The opposite is either silent passivity or doubtful complaining. Some people refuse to believe before seeing because they are afraid of getting their hopes up, only to be let down. Should we only praise God after he “comes through” for us or when we grasp that he is always faithful to his promises and will surely do what he said? Real faith acts before it ever sees the confirmation or fulfillment of what it believes because it is convinced that God is true.

The kind of praise and worship that gives God the most honor is what comes from people who exalt God’s faithfulness before they ever see the fulfillment of what was promised.

Faith knows and overflows. Only faith filled (faithful) people give thanks. Let’s show our faith by our praise.

  1. Speak in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural overflow of the Spirit. Our mouths speak out of the abundance of the Spirit’s filling of our hearts. The sure evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues. At this point the one wishing to experience this confirming gift should take a step of faith and begin speaking, trusting that the Holy Spirit will give the words.

Who Baptizes Us?

The Bible teaches us that baptizing people in the Holy Spirit is the personal ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist announced this ministry to the world.

As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matthew 3:11 (NASB95)

Our Lord often uses the agency of people laying hands on us to accomplish this baptism because Jesus desires for us to share in his ministry. The apostles often laid hands on individuals prior to their receiving this baptism.

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:14–17 (NASB95)

At other times, the Spirit fell upon people without human agency, such as at Pentecost and when Peter preached to Cornelius.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,  Acts 10:44–46 (NASB95)
Prayer to Receive the Baptism in the Spirit

Jesus, I believe you died and rose again to save me and baptize me in the Spirit. You said that if we ask, you will certainly give us this wonderful promise. I ask you right now to baptize me in the Spirit and fill me to overflowing. I receive this promise by faith and give you thanks for your faithfulness to keep your promises. Holy Spirit, fill me up. Help me now to pray in tongues. I will open my mouth to speak with the expectation that you will give me the words. Amen.

Prayer to Minister the Baptism in the Spirit

Jesus, I believe you died and rose again to save us and baptize us in the Spirit. You said that if we ask, you will certainly give us this wonderful promise. I ask you right now to baptize all those present in the Spirit and fill them to overflowing. We receive this promise by faith and give you thanks for your faithfulness to keep your promises. Holy Spirit, fill them up. Help them now to pray in tongues. Let them open their mouths to speak with the expectation that you will give them the words. Amen.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Do you have any questions?
  • Are you ready to receive?

To access this entire series, click here.

Want to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to find out more.
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How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

It does little good to know all about a subject and never personally experience it. It is one thing to generally believe that God’s promises are real and true and quite another to personally receive one. Many believe that God heals, but fewer have received a supernatural healing. Many, even the devil, believe that Jesus died to save sinners, but fewer receive that salvation personally by faith.

If we keep truth at arm’s length and make it purely objective, we may be able to safely distance ourselves from the costs associated with obedience, but we will also rob ourselves of the joy of receiving something from God.

Faith is like breathing. It must be “inhaled” or received and “exhaled” or acted upon. God wants us to believe his promises are true, receive them for ourselves, and then act out our faith. For example, when Jesus told the centurion that his servant had been healed, that man believed Jesus’ words and acted appropriately by returning home.

And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.  Matthew 8:13 (NASB95) —

What we do after saying that we believe reveals whether we were just spouting empty words or truly believed in our hearts.

To receive the baptism in the Spirit requires that we accept the truth of God’s Word, receive his promise by faith, and act as if we believe he gave it to us.

Can I Be Sure This Promise Is for Me Today?

In the first sermon recorded after the initial outpouring of the Spirit, the apostle Peter made it clear that the baptism in the Spirit is for all God’s children for all time.

Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." Acts 2:38-39 (NASB)

A contextual reading of this section of Acts makes it plain that the “promise” means the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter explained what their speaking in tongues meant: it evidenced the outpouring or baptism in the Spirit, which was prophesied by Joel and later promised by John the Baptist and Jesus himself. Peter made it clear that God makes the baptism in the Spirit available to every person who would ever come to Christ – those present with Peter, their children, the Gentiles (those “far off”), and everyone else throughout time who will respond to the Gospel (“as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself”).

Jesus also made it clear that every child of God can receive this gift. It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Holy Spirit when we ask him.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:13 (NASB)

Jesus died as the Lamb of God to provide us with forgiveness and reconciliation to the Father. He rose and ascended to heaven to become the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and pour out the Spirit upon his church. Because of this, we can be sure this amazing gift is for us.

Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.  Acts 2:33 (NASB95)

If we believe what is written above is true, we are faced with a decision. Will I receive this promise for myself by faith or not?

Will I value what Jesus died to give me or remain fearful or indifferent? I hope each of us will treasure and pursue what cost our Lord so much to provide for us!

Steps to Receive

Since the baptism in the Spirit is received by faith, we must be convinced that God has given it to us, receive it, and act as if we believe he has. That is how faith works. Paul asked the Galatian church the following telling question.

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2 (NASB)

The answer of course is that we must receive all of God’s promises by faith. We can never earn them. Here are four easy steps to receive the baptism in the Spirit.

  1. Believe that God will do what he says.

If we grasp that God has provided all believers with the privilege of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the next step is for us to believe that God is always faithful to his promises.

God’s complete trustworthiness is the foundation of all faith.

This is a simple concept; yet many people get hung up at this point. They may think, maybe it is not for me? God will bless everyone else, but not me. Such thinking is sinful unbelief from which we must repent. Cast that lie away and start believing God.

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (NASB)
  1. Ask and receive with simple faith as a child.
"For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11  "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12  "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Luke 11:10-13 (NASB)

Children do not suspect devious motives in the giver or concoct complicated reasons a promise might not come true. When an adult makes a promise, a child expects it to happen. To God, we are all little children. We may have been disappointed many times by people who did not keep their promises to us, but God is not like that. If as a child we experienced adults lying to us and failing to follow through on their word, we must not let those memories and any attached lies about God to block us from trusting our heavenly Father.

As a child, believe, ask, and receive.

If something in our minds whispers that this is not going to happen for me, repent of that unbelief.

...You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 (NASB)

If I extend my hand to offer someone a hundred-dollar bill, what will that person need to do? Would it be enough to say thank you without making any effort to come forward to receive it? If we want the money, we will act. Similarly, we receive the baptism in the Spirit by asking the Lord to baptize us and then by actively receiving.

Faith receives before it sees any outward visible evidence. Faith depends on the promises and character of God alone. It knows that God will keep his word and that his promises are true.

Faith does not doubt. It does not struggle with wondering if God will keep his end of the deal. It receives and moves on, just as when the Roman Centurion believed Jesus healed his servant and returned home. (Luke 7:10)

  1. Give thanks.

After receiving a gift, grateful people say, “Thank you.” After we ask for and receive the baptism in the Spirit by faith, we should begin to thank and praise God.

Thanksgiving demonstrates faith.

The opposite is either silent passivity or doubtful complaining. Some people refuse to believe before seeing because they are afraid of getting their hopes up, only to be let down. Should we only praise God after he “comes through” for us or when we grasp that he is always faithful to his promises and will surely do what he said? Real faith acts before it ever sees the confirmation or fulfillment of what it believes because it is convinced that God is true.

The kind of praise and worship that gives God the most honor is what comes from people who exalt God’s faithfulness before they ever see the fulfillment of what was promised.

Faith knows and overflows. Only faith filled (faithful) people give thanks. Let’s show our faith by our praise.

  1. Speak in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is a supernatural overflow of the Spirit. Our mouths speak out of the abundance of the Spirit’s filling of our hearts. The sure evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is speaking in tongues. At this point the one wishing to experience this confirming gift should take a step of faith and begin speaking, trusting that the Holy Spirit will give the words.

Who Baptizes Us?

The Bible teaches us that baptizing people in the Holy Spirit is the personal ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist announced this ministry to the world.

As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Matthew 3:11 (NASB95)

Our Lord often uses the agency of people laying hands on us to accomplish this baptism because Jesus desires for us to share in his ministry. The apostles often laid hands on individuals prior to their receiving this baptism.

Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:14–17 (NASB95)

At other times, the Spirit fell upon people without human agency, such as at Pentecost and when Peter preached to Cornelius.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,  Acts 10:44–46 (NASB95)
Prayer to Receive the Baptism in the Spirit

Jesus, I believe you died and rose again to save me and baptize me in the Spirit. You said that if we ask, you will certainly give us this wonderful promise. I ask you right now to baptize me in the Spirit and fill me to overflowing. I receive this promise by faith and give you thanks for your faithfulness to keep your promises. Holy Spirit, fill me up. Help me now to pray in tongues. I will open my mouth to speak with the expectation that you will give me the words. Amen.

Prayer to Minister the Baptism in the Spirit

Jesus, I believe you died and rose again to save us and baptize us in the Spirit. You said that if we ask, you will certainly give us this wonderful promise. I ask you right now to baptize all those present in the Spirit and fill them to overflowing. We receive this promise by faith and give you thanks for your faithfulness to keep your promises. Holy Spirit, fill them up. Help them now to pray in tongues. Let them open their mouths to speak with the expectation that you will give them the words. Amen.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion
  • Do you have any questions?
  • Are you ready to receive?

 

If you want to know more about the baptism and the gifts of the Spirit, consider reading Pastor Pete's comprehensive book, Promise of the Father.
Promise of the Father

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How Do I Speak in Tongues?

The good news is that speaking in tongues is one of the easiest things we will ever do, once we get beyond some apparent difficulties.

Like everything else we do spiritually, speaking in tongues is done by faith and is a matter of choice.

We are not overpowered by the Holy Spirit or lose control of our voice. Some people fear that this is what may happen to them and close themselves off from the experience. Maybe you have seen or heard stories of people doing “crazy” things under the influence of the Spirit, such as running, doing cartwheels, pew hopping, laughing, and falling to the ground. King David experienced tremendous joy and danced before the Lord and all the people, for which his own wife criticized him. She berated his reducing himself to the status of a “commoner” by his public display of joy in the Lord. His response may become ours if we get beyond the fear of being embarrassed.

Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!...  2 Samuel 6:22 a (NLT) —

Following the Lord and surrendering ourselves to the Spirit invites us to stop caring about the opinions of critics. Our one concern should be what the Lord thinks.

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10 (NLT) —

Much of what we do in church settings is learned behavior. We see others behaving in a certain way that seems “holy” or “spiritual” and imitate it. At other times, we are genuinely impacted by the Holy Spirit to do something unexpected or unplanned. Regardless, the important point is that in every situation we all have control over our actions, except in those rare cases when the Spirit of God truly overwhelms us.

Remember that people who prophesy [or speak in tongues] are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. 1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (NLT) 

God wants us to surrender ourselves to the Spirit and let go of any fears we have of losing control or doing something evil. He wants us to have childlike faith that expects God to bless us with good things when we yield ourselves to him.

“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:11–13 (NASB95) —
 

The “bad” news is that speaking in tongues requires us to operate in a realm with which many of us are unfamiliar, that of the Spirit.

In this we must depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the ability to speak in tongues while choosing not to use our natural minds to govern our speaking. To the uninitiated, speaking in tongues seems foreign until we experience it. Then it becomes a most (super) natural thing to do.

If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 1 Corinthians 14:14 (NET1)

It may seem foolish to say what sounds like gibberish because it does not come from reasoned thinking or from our own logical language rules. Instead, we speak words that simply “come” to us as the Spirit gives them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:4 (NASB)

Speaking words from the Spirit which are incomprehensible to us seems foolish to those who rely mainly on the human mind to navigate life. But to those who have learned or are learning to lean on the Spirit more and more, it is most natural and fulfilling. Interestingly, although the mind does not form the words, it is active in other ways. When I am praying or speaking in tongues, my mind is often filled with thoughts from God. Often I receive important revelations from Scripture or whole teachings in a flash. At other times, God reveals things to me through visions or prophetic insight. Speaking in tongues does not make our minds go blank. Instead, it frees our minds to receive from the Spirit as our mouths speak unimpeded by logical constraint.

Even though we make the choice to speak in tongues, the Spirit gives us the words and the ability.

This participation with the Spirit of God is supposed to be how we live all the time, but, unfortunately, many of us have never learned the art of “walking” in step with the Spirit in practical ways. Speaking in tongues is a great place for us to begin. It requires us to lean on God instead of our own understanding.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB) 

Speaking in tongues requires us to make a breakthrough into relying on the Spirit instead of our own minds.

This is the essence of what it means to repent. Adam and Eve opted to rely on their own thinking instead of simply believing and trusting God.

As God transforms us to be more and more like Jesus, he expects us to learn to operate as Jesus did in the realm of the Spirit.

Speaking in Tongues Is as Easy as Walking on Water

Okay, maybe you were just beginning to think, “I’ve got this,” but now you are thinking, “Why on earth are you comparing speaking in tongues to doing something impossible? Are you trying to discourage me completely?” Quite the opposite.

Walking on water requires divine enabling just as does speaking in tongues.

Most of us know the story of when Peter walked on water. Imagine having Peter’s audacity!

Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29  And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29 (NASB)

Walking on water would not be difficult, if the Lord enabled us. All Peter had to do was to get out of the boat and take some steps. God did the hard part by supporting his weight with his divine power. Peter did not have to keep himself above water. All he had to do was exercise his faith and take some steps.

It took great faith for Peter to believe in the unseen power of God to do something unnatural and strange, which is a lot like speaking in tongues.

Peter did not walk on water by passively sitting in the boat waiting for Jesus to overcome his doubts and make his uncooperative legs and feet start walking. Peter had to make a choice to get out of the safety of the boat and launch out upon the water.

We must make the choice to leave behind the comfortable place of speaking in our known language and launch ourselves into speaking from the Spirit without even knowing what we are going to say ahead of time.

The Holy Spirit does not commandeer our tongues to make us speak. We cannot passively speak in tongues, but if we choose to “get out of the boat,” so to speak, God will do the rest. He will give us the words, just as he supported Peter’s act of faith.

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

They began to speak, but the Holy Spirit gave the words.

The words will come as we make the choice to speak. It’s always a matter of choice, a matter of our will.

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV)

Paul made the choice to speak and sing in tongues. Whenever I speak in tongues, it is always according to my own volition, and the Holy Spirit always supplies the words. I know he will do it; so, I have faith to begin to speak.

Speaking in tongues boils down to making a choice and taking action based on faith.

If we do not have faith, we will not make the choice. If we do have the faith, speaking in tongues is simple because God does the hard part. He gives the words.

Speaking in Tongues Is Always Okay for Us to Do

Many people object to the idea that we can speak in tongues whenever we want, thinking that it requires a special “anointing” of the Spirit every time. It is true that the Spirit distributes the gifts according to his will. (Hebrews 2:4) I cannot heal people whenever I might choose without any reliance on the prompting of the Spirit. Yet, I usually choose to pray for people to be healed any time I am asked, knowing that the power to answer that prayer lies outside of my simply willing it to happen. My role is to pray to Jesus the healer and speak words of faith. At other times I may feel “led” by the Spirit to pray for someone. The same is true for me regarding the gift of prophecy. I cannot simply decide that today I am going to prophecy twelve times. Instead, I listen to the Spirit and prophesy when and if he directs me. (Hopefully I am listening!) There have been times when I was able prophesy over everyone for whom I prayed. At other times, for whatever reason, I had nothing. Speaking in tongues is different, however.

Speaking in tongues can be broken into two categories: the Spirit-prompted gift of tongues, which is spoken aloud in a meeting and requires an interpretation, and the often very personal devotional prayer language, which is completely under our jurisdiction.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:18 (NASB)

The phrase “pray in the Spirit” refers to praying in tongues. I get this by comparing the same phrase in First Corinthians.

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. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NASB)

Praying with the Spirit is contrasted to praying in a known language. Since we are commanded to pray “always” in the Spirit, it is a standing command from God.

We can and should do it whenever we like and as often as we like. In fact, we should do it more and more, just as Paul did.

I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19  however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (NASB)

Speaking in tongues aloud in a church gathering should be specifically directed by the Spirit and followed by an interpretation, but praying in the Spirit, quietly as appropriate, is always encouraged.

But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately. 1 Corinthians 14:28 (NLT)

God told us to pray in tongues “always,” whenever we like. So, it’s always okay to do so, if we do it properly without disrupting God’s order in a meeting.

I compare speaking in tongues to turning on the faucet. Water always comes out because the line is under pressure. The Holy Spirit is always “on” inside us, waiting for us to turn on the tap by choosing to open our mouths.

Conclusion

I hope by now every one of your misgivings or objections has been answered. Perhaps now you wish to receive the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The next lesson will give you simple steps to receive. When you get to step four, speaking in tongues, you will have a choice to make. You can simply wait on God to give you the words, which may come to you immediately or over time. I know of cases when people did not get their prayer language immediately, but later it came unexpectedly. The second option is the one I recommend. After asking Jesus to baptize you in the Spirit, be like Peter. Get out of the boat. Open your mouth and start speaking whatever words the Spirit gives you.

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10 (ESV)

But what if, despite everything, you simply don’t have any words from the Spirit? Are we to conclude that this amazing gift is not for us? After all, according to Paul, all do not speak in tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:30) But what do we do with another of Paul’s verses where he says the following?

Now I want you all to speak in tongues... 1 Corinthians 14:5a (ESV)

It is true that all do not speak in tongues, but God wants us all to do so.

Likewise, all may prophesy one by one, according to 1 Corinthians 14:31, but all do not because many do not care if they do or do not. This is a violation of Paul’s exhortation to all of us.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:39–40 (NLT) —

I encourage you to keep at it until you break through every barrier of unbelief and fear. You will never regret it. Remember: your mind is not going to help you. Simply let the words flow out of your spirit, where you are joined to God’s Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17) Let the river flow! Once you begin, you will never want to stop. It is a fabulous gift from God.

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" 39  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:38-39 (NASB)

Questions for Further Study and Discussion

  • Does the comparison of walking on water to speaking in tongues make sense?
  • Can you believe that God will give you the words if you begin to speak in an unknown language?

To access this entire series, click here.

 

Want to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to find out more.
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Benefits from Speaking in Tongues

Since speaking in tongues is the most common evidence of the baptism in the Spirit and because Paul wrote that he wanted everyone to speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5, where the verb is present-active-indicative and is most naturally translated “want” instead of “wish” – another example of translator’s bias in my opinion), the question arises, “What’s so great about speaking in tongues?”

What Is Speaking in Tongues?

First of all, exactly what is speaking in tongues? Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to inform them about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He began by telling them that there is no benefit from being ignorant or misinformed.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware [ignorant]. 1 Corinthians 12:1 (NASB)

The devil loves ignorance because it gives him a vacuum to fill with his lies to block people from receiving God’s blessings

Fear and false teaching are two of the greatest enemies of truth. Critics of the gifts of the Spirit usually cite examples of their misuse. Abuse of spiritual gifts is certainly problematic, but it is not as bad as having a critical and judgmental spirit. Nor is it as bad as not having the gifts in operation. It is fairly easy to see what is wrong with people, but love enables us to see beyond our failures and foibles so that our potential can be released.

We would never eliminate automobiles because a few people misuse them, sometimes causing great harm. Neither should we shut down spiritual gifts to prevent their possible misuse.

Solomon, in his wisdom, taught that wherever we have work being accomplished, there will be a certain level of messiness.

Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.  Proverbs 14:4 (NLT) —

Graveyards are neat, orderly, and very quiet. Churches are not meant to be. When we assemble, God wants his Spirit to have sway over the congregation. He allows us all to participate, even if we do so quite imperfectly.

We cannot grow to maturity unless we are permitted to make mistakes and learn from them.

Paul wrote to encourage the church to grow in their understanding and use of the gifts.

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.  1 Corinthians 14:26 (NASB95) — 

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;  1 Corinthians 14:31 (NASB95) — 

Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.  1 Corinthians 14:39–40 (NASB95) —

Doing church this way is asking for a certain level of messiness, as people step out in faith to try to follow the Spirit’s leadership. There is a learning curve in becoming adept at using spiritual gifts. If we are not allowed to try, fail, try again, and succeed, we may never grow.

People usually fear the unknown. Most people know very little about the gifts of the Spirit in general and even less about speaking in tongues. That is a primary reason why some people fear, berate, or ignore this important gift. When Jesus cast the “legion” of demons out of the previously oppressed man, the locals were so scared of Jesus’ power and authority over demons that, rather than inviting him into their city to set more people free, they asked him to leave.

When it comes to the gifts of the Spirit, out of fear and ignorance many people choose to have nothing to do with them, thereby cutting themselves off from a blessing.

There are many benefits that come from speaking in tongues. Paul mentions them in his First Letter to the Corinthians, a church that was notorious for its extraordinary use and misuse of gifts. Those saints were sometimes out of order and immature in how they operated in them, which Paul corrected, but he never discouraged them from using the gifts.

Paul knew that the tremendous benefits coming from spiritual gifts outweigh the potential hazards.

Speaking in tongues has been denigrated by some as the least of the gifts, which is often used as an excuse to ignore and even disparage it. That is most unwise.

How can any gift from God be thought to be less than wonderful and essential?

Jesus died to provide us with God’s grace gifts. We dare not devalue his death and resurrection by spurning what he offers to us in love. We dare not relegate speaking in tongues to any status less than extraordinary, wonderful, and much to be desired. Here are some of the most important benefits.

Undoing Babel

Unity is required for any group to cohere and function properly. Without it, things unravel. With it, nothing is impossible. God commands a blessing when there is godly unity among his children. (Psalm 133:1-3)

There is such a thing as ungodly unity, too. In Genesis 11, sinful rebellious people determined to make a great name for themselves at Babel instead of glorifying and worshiping their Creator God. Recognizing the seriousness of this threat to his benevolent intention for mankind, the Lord confused their language, which disrupted their unity and stopped their work, which resulted in people scattering throughout the earth into separate language groups. (Genesis 11:6-8)

Since then, that part of humanity that resists God’s authority and rule continues its quest to unify and make itself great apart from God, which is what drives the push toward globalism. In the Last Days, Scripture indicates that perhaps God will allow a final unified effort to throw off God’s rule and authority under the leadership of a lawless person called the antichrist who will delude the world through lying signs and wonders into worshiping him and the devil. This spirit has been in the world for a long time providing numerous expressions of the antichrist spirit in tyrannical murderous leaders, but it seems that God will allow one last great example, whom Jesus will destroy. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12)

This satanically unified world government will be sinful mankind’s last stand against the kingdom of God and will precede the Second Coming of the true Ruler and Unifier, Jesus the Messiah King.

At Babel, God temporarily thwarted man’s sinful self-glorifying unification efforts, but through Christ he is building his own unified kingdom which will crush Satan. (Daniel 7:14)

On the first New Covenant Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave Christ’s disciples a new heavenly language that all those present understood, even though they were from many different nations and language groups.

Speaking in tongues reversed what happened at Babel.

The Gospel was understood that day by way of a supernatural gift of language that brought unity out of discord, confusion, and rebellion and people into the kingdom of God.

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6  And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7  They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8  "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Acts 2:5-8 (NASB) 

Every time a Spirit-filled believer speaks in tongues, the confusion of Babel is once again undone.

God uses speaking in tongues to unify and empower those who are devoted to him and his kingdom. Speaking in tongues is so important that the devil has resisted its being received and practiced for centuries. That alerts us to the importance of the gift.

A Language from the Holy Spirit

Although every spiritual gift surpasses our intellectual comprehension, speaking in tongues uniquely does.

No one knows exactly how a person is healed by faith or how miracles happen. We simply believe and receive, while the Spirit does the “heavy lifting.” When it comes to speaking in tongues, Paul tells us that the mind is “unfruitful,” that is, it does not run the show at all.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:14 (NASB)

Brain scans of people praying in tongues show that their frontal lobes associated with speech go quiet. Instead, other areas of the brain are activated which seem to receive understanding and revelation from God more easily. (https://www.clintbyars.com/blog/2020/8/3/tongues-rewires-your-brain)

If we have an inherent fear of being “out of control,” we may throw up a roadblock here. We may fear that we will do something “crazy” or evil, if our minds take a back seat. This is a misunderstanding, however.

We do not “blank out” or lose control in any way when we speak in tongues. When we cede control of our speech to the Holy Spirit, we can take it back whenever we wish. This is the only gift that is firmly under the control of our will in the sense that we are free to activate and deactivate its use any time we wish.

…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.  1 Corinthians 14:15 (NASB95) —

If we compared speaking in tongues to dancing, we would say the Spirit is leading and we are following. Anyone looking at a dancing couple sees unity of action. The leader and follower are both making choices and acting as independent beings, but the follower is not trying to run the show. That is how it is with the gifts of the Spirit with a unique difference being that the Spirit is unseen. We dance with an invisible partner.

In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve decided to rely on their own understanding rather than trust in God. Except for those who are born again, this has been the case with mankind ever since and is called sin. Even God’s children struggle with surrender to God in some areas. Learning to walk in step with the Holy Spirit is a large part of our spiritual journey of discipleship. (Galatians 5:25)

The gifts of the Spirit are an invitation for us to relinquish our demand to be in control and completely understand everything.

We learn to trust God to be in charge. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)

If our minds are only comfortable running things, we may never be able to accept some of the things of God, least of all the gift of tongues.

Speaking in tongues comes directly from the spirit, bypassing the human mind, which is the perfect antidote for our sinful spiritual pride and independence problem.

The Bible teaches us that, when we speak in tongues, we speak in a real language, just not one we understand.

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NASB)

However, the Spirit of God understands perfectly.

Praying in the Spirit is not gibberish. Rather, God gives us words that come directly from him with no issues of impure motivation or poor understanding of his will.

Speaking in tongues builds us up spiritually.

We can only give away what we have received. If we are not built up and strong in God’s grace, we will have nothing positive to give away to others.

We minister out of the overflow of God’s grace in our own lives. Speaking in tongues allows us to recharge our spiritual batteries, so to speak.

One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Corinthians 14:4 (NASB)

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 (NASB)

According to this verse, speaking in tongues builds our faith and keeps us in God’s love. It helps us abide in Christ.

Speaking in tongues helps us to praise God effectively.

When we speak in tongues, we can be sure that we only speak words that glorify God and edify us.

We also know that these words are effective in praising God. Rather than fear that we may say something wrong in tongues, we should trust God as little children and believe what the Scriptures say.

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. 16  Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17  For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified. 1 Corinthians 14:15-17 (NASB)

The main point I want to make here is that, when we speak in tongues, we give thanks well.

The gift of tongues exercised during a church meeting is not the same as the private prayer language we are instructed to put into use each day. 

During church meetings, we are to speak in ways to build others up. When we are alone, we can and should pray in tongues to build ourselves up and praise God effectively.

I like to pray in tongues more than in English. I often start in tongues and alternate back and forth. When I was a new believer, I would sometimes feel constrained or limited in my praise to God. It was as if there was a “lid” on my praise. I wanted to express more, but English did not suffice. But when I was baptized in the Spirit and received the personal prayer language of tongues, I never again felt this limitation.

We can pray and sing in the Spirit to God, perfectly expressing worship to the Lord in words that come directly from him.

When we pray in tongues, we pray according to God’s will.

The Bible tells us that when we pray in alignment with God’s will, he hears our prayers and answers them.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)  

When we are asked to pray for people or situations, we often do not know what God’s specific will is. This is when praying in tongues is extremely useful.

When we pray in the Spirit, we can be sure that we pray exactly in agreement with God’s will, since the words come directly from the Spirit.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)

I have seen the Lord do some amazing things when praying for people in tongues, including physical and emotional healing and deliverance from demonic oppression. What an amazingly important gift! We cannot properly estimate the value of being able to pray in alignment with God’s will.

Praying in tongues teaches us to trust God.

Since praying in the Spirit does not engage the human intellect, it is counterintuitive to those who have trained themselves to depend mainly on the mind. Faith resides in the heart, in the spirit, and not in the intellect. Obeying God by faith requires us to go beyond the limitations of our intellection and comprehension.

Our minds are wonderful, but they were never meant to replace dependence upon God’s Spirit.

Our minds really cannot keep up with the Spirit or fully comprehend faith, but we can choose to come into alignment. Adam and Eve made the choice to jettison God and his wisdom to gain control over their own decisions and know the difference between good and evil for themselves.

Faith requires us to take our human understanding off the throne and put God back where he belongs.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5 (NASB95) —

Praying in tongues is an exercise in trusting God. It teaches us to rely on the Spirit, listen to his voice, and operate by faith instead of by “sight.”

Praying in tongues opens the door to the other gifts of the Spirit and evangelism.

Speaking in tongues could be called a “gateway” gift because it assists us to learn the ways of the Spirit.

When we take the plunge into allowing the Spirit to speak through us by faith, it opens our hearts to letting the Spirit move in and through us in other ways, too.

I find that when I pray in tongues, God often gives me “words of knowledge,” visions, prophecies, and other insights into how to minister to people. I liken this to tuning into God’s communication frequency, as we formerly did with analog radios. When we turned the tuning dial, the station became clearer as we approached its exact frequency.

When we pray in tongues, we open ourselves to God in the Spirit and can hear him more clearly.

All the gifts are essential if we are going to fish for people the way Jesus did. As we read through the gospels and watch how Jesus interacted with people, we see that most of the time he operated in the gifts of the Spirit. The Spirit was “upon” him to preach, heal, deliver, and whatever else he saw the Father doing. (Luke 4:18)

The Spirit will also be upon us to equip and empower us to minister to people.

Speaking in tongues helps us to transition from being intellectually driven people to being Spirit-led followers of Christ and fishers of men.

To access this entire series, click here.

 

Want to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to find out more.
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Overcoming Past Occult Involvement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many people may need to overcome obstacles before receiving the baptism in the Spirit. My previous article in this series illustrated how to conquer the strongholds of traditions of men and passivity. This article looks at how to get past a potentially severe blockage which can be erected in our lives due to past occult involvement. If you have ever been an occult practitioner of any sort, consulted such a person, or even dabbled in things you thought were harmless, such as a Ouija board, you should read this article and take the necessary steps to extricate yourself.

… I do not want you to be partners with demons. 1 Corinthians 10:20b  (NET)

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul warned those early disciples not to participate with demons in any way. In the modern world many do not even believe that such malevolent beings as demons exist, but anyone who takes the Bible seriously cannot afford to dismiss them. The Bible does not tell us much about their origin, but we do know that they are evil spirits which desire to inhabit human bodies and oppress anyone they can.

 

The Greek word that describes the activity of demons is “daimonidzomai,” which simply means to demonize.

Some translators of the Bible unfortunately used the English word “possess,” which carries all altogether different meaning of ownership and complete control. Using this poor translation as their basis, some argue that it is impossible for Christians, who belong to God and in whom dwells the Holy Spirit, to be possessed, owned, or completely taken over by an evil spirit. I agree wholeheartedly with that logic, but I insist that it is possible for believers in Christ to be demonized or oppressed by evil spirits. I have seen too many examples to think otherwise. Believers in Christ belong to God but can be oppressed by the devil. I think we all agree with that.

Our theology must be congruent with the clear teachings of the Bible without contradicting what we all know is true about life.

Oppression can take many forms, ranging from mild to severe. While demons, or anything or anyone else for that matter, cannot block the Holy Spirit, in his kindness and wisdom God may require us to properly distance ourselves from the demonic before he allows us to move forward with him. God is properly “jealous” in the sense that he refuses to “cohabit” with evil.

You unfaithful people! Don't you know that love for this {evil} world is hatred toward God? Whoever wants to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God. 5  Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.” James 4:4-5 (GW)

Demons do not care how they gain access to people. They will take advantage of any doors we open to them, even when we do it unknowingly.

In fact, innocent people are often exposed to demonization by the actions of others, as in the case when adults introduce young children to sin, especially sexual sin and occult practices, such as witchcraft.

Why is occult involvement such a hindrance? I suppose it is because through it we open ourselves up to Satan’s power when we involve ourselves in his world and sometimes even invite demons to inhabit our bodies, which were created to house the Holy Spirit. It is an affront to God when we turn to demons for help, instead of relying upon him.

Martha and I were once ministering to a young woman who was not able to get a breakthrough when it came to speaking in tongues, even though she had repeatedly asked to receive the baptism in the Spirit. I asked her if she had ever been involved in the occult. She replied that she formerly had practiced witchcraft. I then inquired if she had ever renounced that, and she said, no. She did not know that she even needed to do so.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)

We led her in a prayer of repentance in which she renounced her past involvement with witchcraft. Immediately she told us that she felt as if an anvil were pressing down upon her chest. Suddenly the pressure lifted, and she began speaking in tongues. God waited for her to confess the sin and get rid of the demon, which had been oppressing her, before he gave her his marvelous gift.

Some of the occult activities you may need to renounce include the following: seances, Ouija board, fortune telling, tarot cards, witchcraft, astrology, etc. If you have in any way dabbled or immersed yourself in anything connected with the kingdom of darkness, you should repent and verbally renounce those things. Ask for and receive God’s forgiveness through Christ’s blood. Then command any attached spirits of darkness to depart in Jesus name. They must obey that command.

We carry Christ’s authority which is backed up by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. We speak the words and the Spirit of God enforces them.

It is vital that we understand and believe that evil spirits have no option but to obey a command to leave when we properly repent and use Christ’s authority. We need never find ourselves in a power struggle with a demon. It is always a truth and authority issue. Their power was destroyed at Calvary when Jesus rose from the dead.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

Once we remove any “platform” or “hook” a demon may have used to oppress us through repentance and renouncing, it is an easy matter to break their grip using the authority of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is the Enforcer of Christ’s victory and his authority. He comes to our aid when we do our part. Once we properly distance ourselves from the occult, we will be ready to receive the baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit.

 

Want to know more? I have written a book on this very topic, which is available on Amazon. Click here to order.

I have also written more extensively on how to be set free from demons. Click here if you are interested.
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Overcoming the Traditions of Men & Passivity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because of receiving bad information in the past, many people must overcome obstacles before receiving the baptism in the Spirit. My previous article in this series illustrated how to conquer fear and legalism. This one looks at two more common hindrances and shows how to get past them.

 

Traditions of Men

Religious groups tend to form their own culture and traditions over time. Non-denominational churches often begin as a sort of protest against dead formality and ritual, but over the years such churches develop their own set ways of doing things. This is part of what it means to be human and is not necessarily a bad thing.

If our traditions stand between us and the our apprehension of the truth and our reception of God’s promises, however, they are evil and must be set aside.

Jesus confronted dead religious traditions quite often, thereby incurring the wrath of the establishment. Once traditions are set, they assume a stature as if God himself set them up. Some churches, such as Roman Catholicism, officially elevate church tradition to the status of scripture. More evangelical churches would never openly say such a thing, but in actuality they sometimes put their traditional interpretation of scripture over the truth. Once again, this is a human propensity. For those steeped in the traditions of men, the old and established way of doing things always seems better.

Jesus warned against following our traditions when they nullify the clear intent of God’s Word.

And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4  "For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.' 5  "But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God," 6  he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7  "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8  'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 9  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" Matthew 15:3-9 (NASB)

When it comes to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the only thing that matters is what the scriptures say, not what our church traditions may teach. Just as in Jesus’ day, sometimes it requires great courage to resist and overcome time honored traditions in order to serve the Lord.

Passivity

There is a time for “waiting upon God,” which describes our having the attitude of being surrendered to God’s will for our lives and honoring him as the initiator. Waiting on God is a function of our understanding the danger of operating independently from the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

However, once we know what his will for us is and are confident that now is the time for us to act, passivity becomes a sin.

Nothing substitutes for acting in faith, not even prayer or worship. If our mother asked us to clean our rooms, when we were young children, she would not be happy to find out we never did it because we were praying instead. There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

Jesus instructed his first disciples to wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Spirit, but this was because their first experience of this extraordinary gift from God had to take place on the exact day of Pentecost, perfectly fulfilling God’s eternal purpose for that Old Covenant feast. They waited and prayed for days in the upper room, but when the day of Pentecost finally arrived, the Spirit was powerfully poured out.

Since then, every day is Pentecost. There is no longer any need to wait. We can receive instantly.

In addition, we should not expect the Holy Spirit to somehow take control of us, as if God superimposes himself over our desires and will. In his goodness and love, God expects and encourages us to partner with him. The Spirit, who dwells within us, also comes alongside us allowing us to participate with him in ministry. He lets us know the things that God has freely given to us, which includes the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:12)

Our role is to ask for and receive God’s blessings. If we do not ask, why should we expect to receive? If we have asked, what is stopping us from actively receiving?

It is true that sometimes God blesses those who do not seek or ask, but almost always he wants our participation, especially when we know the truth. Therefore, we should not be passive when it comes to the baptism in the Spirit. Remember: faith acts as if God’s Word is true… because it is.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8  "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

 

 

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Freedom from Fear of Death

The gospel has the ability to provide freedom from the fear of death.

The last enemy God will destroy will be death.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26  The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 (ESV)

Death may also be the last fear we will face head on in this journey called life. Death lurks in the background of every moment, waiting for its time. The picture of the Grim Reaper knocking at our door tells the story. Adam and Eve opened the door to this enemy when they chose to disobey God, giving Satan permission to invade all our lives. The wages of sin is death, and God will not be mocked. We all will reap our wages because we all are sinners. Should we be afraid of death or should we regard it as a natural part of life, as unavoidable as taxes and as inconsequential as the sun coming up in the morning?

Death is unnatural, and God calls it an enemy. Our Lord never intended for us to experience death.

Mercifully, God did not walk away from us when we turned our backs on him. He determined from the outset to defeat Satan and death on our behalf.

He promised us that one of Eve’s children would crush the head of the serpent, but at great cost to himself. The serpent would bite his heel.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

Overcoming this enemy came at a great price, the death of God’s only Son. Jesus defeated death by dying and rising again.

Death could not be avoided. Jesus faced, experienced, and conquered it through the cross and the resurrection.

Many people live as if they never expect to die, pushing out of their minds their inevitable demise, as if not thinking about it will make it go away. King Solomon warned us:

None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NLT)

Since we cannot avoid death, we should prepare for it.

That is why people make the effort to write wills and take other steps to make ready for the inevitable. It is more important that we prepare ourselves spiritually. Amos the prophet spoke this ancient warning to Israel, which applies to us today: “Prepare to meet your God in judgment.” (Amos 4:12)

Death is God’s judgment against sin, but there will follow another judgment on the other side of death.

Jesus warned us that we should fear that and prepare for it.

Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear. Luke 12:4–5 (NLT)

If we do not face the fear of death and conquer it, it will capture us.

Thankfully, Jesus has done all the heavy lifting on our behalf.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

When Jesus died on our behalf, the Bible says that we were included in that death.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15  and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NASB)

For all of this to make sense, we must realize that there are two deaths, a physical one and a spiritual one.

All must die physically because God’s beautiful creation is under judgment for Adam’s sin. In addition, those who do not put their faith and allegiance in Christ will experience what the Bible calls the “second death,” which is an eternal spiritual death apart from God’s presence, who is the source and sustainer of life.

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus promised that all who put their faith and allegiance in him will never experience the second death.

Paul taught that God has removed us from the domain of darkness and death and transferred us into his kingdom of light and life. (Colossians 1:13) Jesus confirmed this truth, as recorded below.

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

Later Jesus explained himself in more detail to one of his followers named Martha following his friend Lazarus’ death.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26  Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26 (NLT)

Here Jesus promised that life continues after death, spiritually and eventually physically in the resurrection.

Our Lord made the glorious promise that believers will never experience the eternal second death. We who trust in him will never die, not really. We simply transition from earth to heaven when the body expires.

Those who put their faith and allegiance in Christ are united with him spiritually (1 Corinthians 6:17). Therefore, wherever Jesus is, so are we. Colossians tells us that Christ is seated on God’s throne in heaven, which is where we are likewise seated. (Colossians 3:1-3. See also Ephesians 2:6.) This means that, just as Christ told us in John 5:24, we have already passed from death to life. We are already in God’s presence in heaven in the Spirit.

When we believers die, we do not spiritually die or go anywhere. I believe that we simply “wake up” in heaven, where we have been spiritually all along.

Our bodies may die and decompose, but the spiritual part of us never dies. One day the body will be raised in a glorious new form that will no longer be subject to death.

For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40 (NLT)

In John 11:26, Jesus asked Martha if she believed his words. Now we must ask ourselves the same question. The gospel provides the antidote to the fear of death, but will we believe and receive it? Those who do are delivered from their slavery to the fear of death. Hallelujah!

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