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Tongues 25 Mar 2019

The gift of tongues

Being honest, this is a gift of the Spirit that I mistrust. The reason is twofold:
Speaking in tongues did not drop on me so that it came naturally.
I also miss confirmation from the people around me.

God's Spirit however convicts me.

Luke 11,10-13

For everyone who asks receives; everyone who searches finds; everyone who knocks will have the door opened. What father among you, if his son asked for a fish, would hand him a snake? Or if he asked for an egg, hand him a scorpion?
If you then, evil as you are, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'

Moulded

My experience

During worship (singing for the honor of God) at the end of the song, I often have a strong sense that I like the song and its atmosphere to continue. I continue to sing melodiously and softly words unknown to me. I want to trust the Holy Spirit. I have invited Him to pray in me. And still I am somewhat ashamed and afraid to let that happen. Once more: people around me do not confirm how they feel about my 'gift'. I want and need to hear from them. I do not like to live, pray and act anything in shame and or fear. If the Holy Spirit likes to pray in me, I do not like to feel uncertain.

Actually I can tell you:
If I pray with the unknown words and language, always and only nice and good thoughts stir up in my mind. Jesus said, if we ask the father for a good gift, He will not give stones. God like to give good gifts and not sparingly. It is believed that the gift of tongues is one of the smaller gifts. It works as an opening for the operation of other gifts of the Holy Spirit, that require more wisdom and experience.

How to receive?

Preferably the gift is received by the laying on of hands and by prayer of another person with authority. But God the Father is certainly not limited to that procedure.
Ask God to send his Holy Spirit to pray always in you. And then believe. Open your mouth and speak out quietly words that come in your mind whether known or unknown. Be not afraid to make sounds like a baby. You are learning.
Normally with doing so good and trustworthy thoughts should be stirred up in you. Those can be words of praise or a prayer for someone.
If bad words come up in you while asking the Holy Spirit to pray in you, that is strange. But also that should be discerned by a qualified person.

Test and discernment

Every new gift needs to be tested and practiced, so that it can come into operation. With the gift of tongues for your own edification and for the good of the community. In healthy communities spiritual gifts shall be discerned so that the receiver may feel secure.

May God bless, guide and protect you. Please seek others for confirmation on what is happening.