Scriptures dont really say it's a lesser gift but it's an equal gift with others such as verse 8-11 in 1 Corinthians. For to one is given the word and of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits to another different kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Speaking in tongues benefits us in the spiritual realm but will benefit us even more if we pray for interpertation of the tongue.
Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows twhat the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
"For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; however in the Spirit he speaks mysteries." I Cor. 14:2
"I want for you all to speak with tongues..." I Cor. 14:5
and verse 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself but he who prophesies edifies the church.
"Praying in the Spirit at all times with every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints." Eph. 6:18
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind. Else if you bless in the spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say 'Amein' to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you give thanks excellently, but the other is not built up. I thank my God I speak in tongues more than all of you." I Cor. 14:14-18
What is awesome is that Christ said speaking in tongues will continue all the way into the future of our generation in Acts chapter 2:18-20
Even after the the pouring of the Holy Spirit, of the apostles in Acts it did not stop there but went on to other peoples.
Acts 2:39--"For the promise is to YOU AND to YOUR CHILDREN, AND to ALL who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." The HOLY SPIRIT is promised to ALL.
Acts 2:39--"For the promise is to YOU AND to YOUR CHILDREN, AND to ALL who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." The HOLY SPIRIT is promised to ALL.
Acts 10:44--"While Peter was still speaking these words, the HOLY SPIRIT fell upon ALL those who heard the word." This was the Roman centurion Cornelius (a Believer). He and everyone who heard Peter were FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT and SPOKE IN TONGUES.
Brother, speaking in tongues is a lesser gift in the church. You even quoted the scripture that indicate why. It edifies you but not other people. You quoted scripture but you left it out of context..."For anyone who speaks in tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. BUT everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies teh church." (1 cor 14)
also..."If I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or phophecy or word of instruction?" 1 cor 14:6
I believe that speaking in tongues will only benefit you and believers because it makes the presence of the holy spirit very apparent. It will do nothing for a non-believer because they will not understand it- as the apostle Paul explains. It would be more useful if one could interpret it.
I've spoken in tongues before...all that happened was my mouth was moving and when I breathed out it would make noises that I didnt understand. You know the presence of the holy spirit is there. Before this I had never spoken in tongues. This only occured when I visited this one church. After each song a lot of the people in the room were speaking in tongues. After a few songs the speaking in tongues seemed to 'bounce' off people and onto me. I was excited at the time. However, I found a problem with this church. The church was filled with the spirit but there was a great lack of knowledge. It felt as if the people came to church only to participate in the experience, but learned nothing from the word of truth; so these people were in fact, not growing as Christians. I believe this was a problem that a church in Paul's time was facing and Paul addressed the church on this problem (1 cor).
Speaking in tongues is a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit however it does not greatly affect us. What is ironic is that the Holy Spirit most greatly moves us in times we least suspect it, in the most subtle ways. It is while we are driving and contemplating a recent problem we have had; a verse from the bible might pop up into our minds and we feel the peace of resolution. It is here where we overlook the work of the Holy Spirit but of whose work most greatly affects our spiritual life. It is not speaking in tongues where we are awed by the presence of the Holy Sprit; during this time, the Holy Spirit does not do much for others or us.
For No Gray Areas,
Your thinking is right. You should introduce that thought to the Church. You are not suppose to "practice" speaking in tongues; it is something given to you by God. Thus, if you practice it then it is not real. I do not know the church but it should be known that speaking in tongues will not make you grow as a christian, it is the study of the word. Bible studies and the pastor's sermons are more important. You should not
practice some gift of God, you should
seek what God has given you as part of your ministry. The church should know that this is more important.
Oh yes...and the very most important thing is Love.
Nothing is more important. Practicing love is the easiet thing to do yet I find more people aiming to speak in tongues, share wisdom, perform miraculous healings, prophesize, and perform other gifts than practice something that is easier and still conquers all: Love. The reason we need gifts is because Love has not been perfected yet.
