“He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11.
I love what the word ‘baptise’ means in Greek. It says that you shall be baptised in the Holy Spirit. The word baptise is ‘baptiso’. This word means to be saturated. It’s like a fabric that is dyed in a colour. The dye infiltrates every fibre of the cloth and so are we when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. We need to believe it, for how can two walk together unless they agree? Amos 3:3
One of the strongest manifestations of the Holy Spirit that I have seen in my life is that of illumination. By praying in tongues I believe the Spirit flows into my thinking and causes me to think bigger and better thoughts, encouraging me to believe for greater things than my natural self would have attempted.
After coming out of the ‘Hippy Era’ in the 70s, my mind had been corrupted by all that I had dabbled in. I praise God that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the word of God have been transforming me ever since. I’m now beginning to think superabundantly and putting to death carnal thoughts as my faith rises to greater heights.
“To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
The Spirit helps to flood my mind with the excellent knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Holy Spirit always loves to do; He loves to glorify Jesus.
Speaking in tongues releases revelation that is beyond your normal thinking. I love what it says in Isaiah 28:11
“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.”
Speaking in tongues opens the door for the Holy Spirit to teach us by revelation. Tongues is not only us speaking to God but Him speaking to us. After speaking in tongues for a prolonged period of time, thoughts can come that lead you where God is wanting you to go. I often go for walks praying in tongues, praising God and quoting scripture believing for God to speak to me. I can remember places where God had given me a sermon or an idea that has suddenly come to me by revelation. It wasn’t there when I started the walk. These thought rise up from within and I then I check to see if its God or me by checking it out in scripture.
Paul said that he spoke in tongues a lot, yet he would rather speak with intelligent speech so that he might teach others also. This verse of ‘teaching others also’ is profound.
“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” 1 Cor 14:18-19
Paul is inferring here that he receives teaching from the Holy Spirit as he speaks in tongues and then teaches others what he has learnt. I’m sure this is how he received a lot of his revelations in the writing the Epistles.
The Apostles John says that when we are baptised in the Holy Spirit we have received an anointing from God.
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” 1 John 2:20-21
“But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27
Yes we did receive power after the Holy Spirit came on us in Acts 1:8 but this power needs to be constantly stirred up by speaking in tongues. Who knows what God has in store for you? He says that eye has not seen or ear heard what He has ahead for us, not just in heaven. The power that is in you by the Holy Spirit is unique; release it by praying in tongues with joy. Paul said that he not only prayed in tongues but also sang in tongues which can’t be done with sadness.
“What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” 1 Corinthians 14:15
Being joyful as we speak and sing in tongues also helps us to draw this water, this power, from the well that is within.
“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
There is a power within you to believe God for super abundant things. Tongues can be the key to open the door to a far greater supernatural life style. Amen.