KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14:2 ” For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”

We continue our study on the Pauline revelations; this time we are considering, speaking in tongues as a means of touching the real issues that we need to pray on.

One does not make a mistake when praying in tongues. The scripture said “For if I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth, but understanding is unfruitful” (1st Corinthians 14:14). He means that when praying in tongues it is his recreated spirit within him that prays. His mental faculties do not play a part. Your recreated spirit is one with the Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 6:17). The Holy Spirit cannot make a mistake, He prays and intercedes on every need or thing that you have to tackle.

Our key scripture presents it this way “For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God, for no man understands him, howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries” 1st Corinthians 14:2. Man is limited in many things. Even issues concerning our present moments are unknown to us. As you sit now, can you tell the biochemical conditions of your body? Do you know what somebody is planning for you, whether good or bad? What about the future. Dear one life is spiritual and you need to approach it from the spiritual point as well.

A man woke up at the early hours of the morning, and had a strong urge to pray. He prayed in tongues till morning. He left for work with the wife. As he got to work he had a call that his water tank full of water had fallen on his roof and entered his bedroom. It fell directly on the bed .What would have happened if it had fallen when they were sleeping? I believe his prayers dealt with that.

 I have countless testimonies of various deliverance resulting out of others praying in tongues.

Please, don’t forbid to pray in tongues. It is a great privilege to do so. You can’t make mistakes praying in an unknown tongue.

CONFESSION

Thank you heavenly father, for the blessing of praying in tongues. I always pray rightly and get my results as I pray in tongues.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Romans 8:26 ” Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

1 Corinthians 14: 39

“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14:4 ” He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church”.

Apostle Paul, among the many great revelations that the Holy Spirit taught him was the important truth about speaking in tongues. Our key scripture teaches us that “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

The word edify means to build. It comes from the noun edifice, which means building. Praying in tongues builds one up as a building is erected. It can also be compared to a body builder going through his regimes of exercise to develop his muscles and get very strong. The same happens to the man who consistently prays in tongues. You grow and develop spiritually. Another meaning to the same scripture is compared to charging a battery. One gets spiritually charged up by praying in tongues. In actual fact your spiritual senses begins to develop as you consistently pray in tongues.

In 1st Corinthians 14:18 apostle Paul states “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all”. He reveals the secret to His spiritual exploits. Your spiritual eyes begins to open up and you are able to see visions as you pray. Your spiritual ears also opens up and you are able to hear the Spirit of God telling you mysteries that nothing could reveal to you.

Dear child of God, it is a great privilege to pray in tongues. It is the door to the supernatural realm. Jude 1:20 “But ye beloved building up yourselves on your most Holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost”. Praying in the Holy Ghost actually builds you up spiritually.

Most of us do not have enough time for God. There are so many things that occupy the attention of most Christians.

What can one do to grow spiritually through praying in tongues?.

Set times for prayer.

Pray concentrating on the Lord.

Do not allow your mind to run around all sorts of things

As you focus on the Lord you would be ready to hear the voice of the Spirit as He talks to you. 

Spend a great deal of time praying in tongues.

If you would maintain your consistency of praying in tongues you would definitely grow in the spirit and would enjoy   life in a more glorious way.

 PRAYER

Heavenly Father I pray that as I pray in tongues, open up my spiritual senses so I could effectively discharge my roles to affect many lives.

FURTHER STUDIES.

1 Corinthians 14:2 ” For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

1st Corinth 14:14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14:2 ” For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries”.

Speaking in tongues is very popular these days, yet many people have a lot of questions and misunderstanding about its use.

I wish to clarify one area of this supernatural operation of this gift.

  There’s speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit manifest in the life of an individual as He (the Holy Spirit) wills. This gift or manifestation is not given to all Christians but as many as the Spirit chooses in a particular moment. 1st Corinthians 12:10b “…to another divers kind of tongues”.

 There’s also the speaking in tongues that is the Spirit praying through us. It is also called the prayer language. This aspect can be for every Christian as you receive it. 1st Corinthians 14:14 ” For if I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful “.Note this, you do not understand what you are saying, yet the bible says the Spirit speaks mysteries. (1st Corinth 14:2)

The first instance, is always a message that God has for his people. Whenever a divers kinds of tongue is given there must necessarily be an interpretation. 1st Corinthians 14:17 “If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three and that by course and let one interpret, but if there be no interpreter let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself and to God “This message in tongues, is meant for the whole congregation and needs to be interpreted. You would realise that among the nine supernatural gifts in 1st Corinthians 12, there is also the gift of the interpretation of tongues. When one gives a message in tongues he must have the gift of interpretation to interpret it. If not somebody must interpret that message.

This is not so with praying in tongues. You would not need an interpretation for anyone when talking to God in tongues. If you have to be praying in the presence of others for the rest of the people, then it is good to give an interpretation for your audience. As a matter of fact, the operation of praying in tongues to God would not need an interpretation for anybody. This is the reason why in the midst of a number of Christians praying together, no one needs to interpret his or her prayer to the other because they are speaking to God directly and individually

 CONFESSION

Thank you Heavenly Father for the ability to speak in tongues. I am always edified as I pray in tongues. My prayer life is enriched as i pray in tongues.

FURTHER STUDIES

1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church”

1 Corinthians 14:16 ” Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:22 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

We continue with our discussion on the Pauline revelations that talks about the old man.

From our previous study we learnt that we have only one nature. This is the new man or the righteous nature. I would like to bring our awareness to understand that we do not have the old man functioning in us. As Christians we must open up for a completely upright lifestyle. We must know also that we are no more weak and susceptible to any wrong actions. Our Lord Jesus has achieved a great victory for us and must take advantage of it… We have to always say with Paul “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”.

On the flip side, there are many who because of their experiences of failure would be asking why I keep struggle to do the right things. There are some who have also been taught that they have the old man and the new man in their bodies as Christians. They say so because they have always failed in their attempt to live right.

Please dearly beloved one, listen very attentively. Never make doctrines out of the experiences of people. No matter how much some experiences have been prevalent with any man so long as it does not agree with the Bible, don’t accept and make a doctrine out of it. The bible has clearly stated that because our Lord Jesus died on the cross the old man and subsequently the body of sin has been destroyed. If it is destroyed it is no more in us.

Now why do you then fill tempted at times? Please answer this question for me. Was Jesus having the sinful Adamic nature or the old man of sin in Him? The answer is definitely no.. He had no human father, and therefore could not have had the academic nature.

 My second question is, was our lord Jesus tempted or not? Yes he was (Matthew 4:1-9). The devil came and tempted Him, although He had not the sinful nature. He decided not to yield to any of these temptations.

It is up to every Christian to refuse the temptations that the spirit of the power of the air may bring to us.

Please note that our very atmosphere is saturated with an abundance of evil spirit. This is why every Christian must constantly attend to God’s word, pray very often and spend time meditating on the scriptures, so that you may not yield to these suggestions of devils.

 CONFESSION

I have the new man, with the old man made away. I would not yield to suggestions of devil but maintain my grands to serve my Father.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Ephesians 2:2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Romans 12:2 ” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”.

Apostle Paul, through the power of the Holy Spirit taught many things that were absolutely new to the body of Christ then. Among these things was the exposition on the old man.

Who or what is the old man. The bible gives a number of descriptions for this term, called the old man Romans 7:24 it is called the body of this death. It is also called the body of sin in Romans 6:6. Colossians 2:11 describes it as the body or the sins of the flesh.

Comparing these descriptions of the old man we can describe it as the sinful or Adamic nature inherited from our first parents Adam and Eve(Rom 5:12).The death of our Lord Jesus,  completely destroyed this nature. Col.2:11, reports it this way, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”:

Our being, before our new birth in Christ was the old man. Within this nature is the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2” For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death”. This nature was hell bound as well as fully Satan dominated.

The main point I would want us to see is that, through the Lord’s death, this nature of sin has been put away, crucified or destroyed. It no longer lives in us, this makes it clearly that, the Christian does not have two natures (i.e., the nature of sin and the nature of righteousness). In another sense we do not have the old man and the new man living together in the body of the child of God.

When Apostle Paul said in Gal 2:20, “that I am crucified with Christ yet I live but not I .The life that I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of Him who loved me and gave Himself for me”. He was just affirming that the old man was crucified and that it does not live in Him again

Dear child of God, let it be fully settled in your mind that, the Christian does not have two natures. If it was so, then the Lord Jesus death on the cross would not have been complete to save us.

CONFESSION

My Lord Jesus did a perfect work to completely save me. I do not have two natures. I live victoriously every day.

FURTHER STUDIES

Colossians 2:11 “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”:

Romans 8:3  “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:8-9 ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”.

One of the truths that spark off the reformation of the church in the dark ages is the statement of Ephesians 2:8, 9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God, Not of works, lest any man should boast”.

Martin Luther who came to the understanding of this truth wrote a lot on it. He was ultimately martyred because of it. Many have directly or indirectly taught that one needs to do certain things in addition to believing in Christ to be saved. The scripture added that it is not of works, lest any should boast”. The Jehovah’s witnesses teach that it is not enough to claim that salvation is by grace alone. One must do certain tasks as prescribed by the watch tower society for one’s salvation to be complete. They argue that to claim you have believed in Jesus is not enough.

I think all these confusion has resulted because of people’s lack of appreciation of what this salvation entails. One is not saved because he joins a church or starts carrying the bible around. Salvation is a supernatural birth that takes place in the heart of an individual through believing in Jesus and declaring Him as Lord. (John 1:12, 13, Rom 10:9&10). This birth makes him or her a child of God, just like Jesus Christ. No work or action or deed can cause this to be. Jesus called it being born from above. John 3:3, This is a divine work and it is only by grace, that is God’s doing that can result in this supernatural birth.

 Christians are not just people who have changed their lifestyle, but it is first and foremost an encounter with the Spirit of God causing a regeneration deep down in your heart. 2nd Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new”.

It is the effect and the results of salvation that shows in a changed lifestyle and also good works. Anyone who attempts to add good works to the work of salvation is erring. Good works is the result of salvation and this difference should be made clear.

 CONFESSION

I have been saved by grace through faith and it is never through any works that I did. I have received God’s supernatural nature, making me a child of His and now I manifest his lifestyle in all I do.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Romans 10:9-10 ” That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”.

John 3:3  ” Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Genesis 22:18 “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

What does the blessings of Abraham entail? Before we go into the details of some of the blessings of Abraham, I wish that you make up your mind that you will walk in these blessings for they are true, real and very compelling.

Please listen to what the Spirit said in Galatians 3:17 “And this I say that the covenant that was confirmed before of (by) God in Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul (render in effective) that it should make the promise of none effect”.

What the above scripture means is that, the Abrahamic covenant has been confirmed by God in Christ, and as a result the law which came into effect 430 years later cannot render it ineffective.

Some of the blessings of Abraham found in Genesis 12:1-3, 17 :2-3, 22:17–18 are as follows

1. Multiplication of seed as sand of the seashore and the stars of heaven. Fruitfulness is your package.
2. Every seed of Abraham shall possess the gates of their enemies.
3. All nations shall be blessed
4. All who bless you are blessed, and all who curse you are cursed.
5. Make thee a great nation and make thy name great.

(Note: Whatever was said to Abraham is said to you.)

A woman whom the Lord declared to be loosed from her bondage in Luke 13 was met by the displeasure of the ruler of the synagogue; who said she should come for healing on another day, and not the Sabbath day. The Lord answered and him and  said “And ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound lo these eighteen years be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day “ Luke 13:16. The Lord implied that because she is a daughter of Abraham and benefactor of the blessings of Abraham she must not continue to suffer. Today decide to be free from anything that is holding you captive and bound. You are a daughter or a son of Abraham and you must be free.

Among the blessings of Abraham the bible said the seed of Abraham shall possess the gates of their enemies. The word possess is translated from a Hebrew word “yarash” which means to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit or occupy. This is very refreshing. It implies no enemy should overcome you. If you will take your stand on the word, no enemy will ever overpower you. We have also been blessed with greatness and riches of Abraham.

Galatians 3:9 reads “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. God blesses us because we believe His word and honour Him. Claim these blessings on the bases of your place in Christ.

CONFESSION

I am a son or a daughter of Abraham. I am blessed alongside faithful Abraham. I possess the gates of my enemies, I am exceedingly fruitful, and my impact is felt by all men for He has made me very great.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Genesis 12:2 “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”

Galatians 3:29 “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3:29” And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Among the many revelations given to Apostle Paul was our relationship to Abraham through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Abraham is the Father of faith. Abraham through his faith took steps and passed through very trying moments; yet he came out very victorious. Abraham received the promise of his son although his age and that of his wife made everything seem impossible. (Romans 14:17-21). He left his homeland and dwelt in strange lands yet in the end He was a blessed man with so much riches. The cream of all these was when God asked him to sacrifice his only laughter (Isaac). He obediently took the boy and was about to slay him but God came and stopped Him (Gen 22:1-20).

 Because of his unparalleled obedience the Lord said the following to him Gen 22:18 “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because though has obeyed my voice”.

In Paul revelations he was made to understand that the seed of Abraham was Christ (Galatians 3:16).

 Our faith in our Lord Jesus has made us heirs of the blessings of Abraham. We thank God for what Jesus our Lord has achieved for us. He took us away from the negative and placed us in the positive. He died to do the following for us.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

 This was what his death has done for us. You may look at Deuteronomy 28:16-48 to see what these curses entailed.

On the flip side, to our redemption from the curses, he has placed us right under the blessings of Abraham. We have become direct benefactors of all the blessings conferred on Abraham because of his obedience. These blessings became ours because we believed in Jesus, and have received the promise of the Spirit of God. . Galatians 3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through FAITH.

 *Beloved you have all that God blessed Abraham with, because all the blessings are packaged in the Holy Spirit who is in you.

(To be continued)

 CONFESSION

Thank you heavenly Father for giving your son Jesus, by whom I have become a son of Abraham and therefore a partaker of all the blessings of Abraham.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Galatians 3:9 “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham”.

Luke 13:16 ” And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 10:10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 Our key scripture explains the process for one to be saved. This truth is one of the revelations given to Paul the apostle for all mankind.

In John 1:12 the bible did declare that as many that received Him (Jesus), He gave them power to become sons of God even to them that believed on His name. In this verse apostle John said that as many who received Him. The question is; what is the practical way to receive Jesus, so one could become a son of God? In the Pauline revelations the Holy Spirit made it clear to Him how to receive our Lord Jesus, so we could become sons of God.

Romans 10: 9&10 reads this way, “That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God had raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. The apostle makes it clear from these verses how to be saved.

He revealed that one must first believe in His heart that our Lord Jesus was raised from the dead. This part is very significant. To believe He was raised from the dead implies you believe He died for your sins, that He was buried and ultimately raised from the dead (1st Corinth 15:3&4). Believing this makes you justified or righteous. . The next step is to confess with your mouth that He (Jesus) is Lord. . By this statement you are claiming every lord over your life ceases to be and that Jesus is now the Lord over your life. By this pronouncement or declaration you have received Jesus or believed on Him. You instantly become a child of God. The Lord Jesus assumes Lordship over your life.

This is very amazing. Everyone who has not made Jesus Lord must make up his mind and go through this process, yet believe in Him in your heart for it to be effectual and then confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord.

 CONFESSION

Thank you heavenly Father for giving Jesus unto us. I believe Jesus died and rose up on the third day. I confess Him as the Lord over my life.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ” For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”.

John 3:16 “” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:27 ” To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

Our key scripture says the mystery which has been hidden since the creation of the world is now made known to men. This mystery is Christ in all those who believe in Him. This experience is the hope of glory.

God our Father has planned that one day all mankind or all those who will come to faith in Jesus Christ would have the Christ in them. Christ means the anointed one. It also means the anointing. This refers to the Spirit of God that worked in Jesus and did all the works, was to reside in men as well.

The scripture said in Acts 10:38 that, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him. This anointing that was on Him was to reside in all men who would acknowledge Him as Lord over their lives.

In Luke 4:18, the Lord said the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor…… This anointing the Lord talked about was to be in all those who would submit to His Lordship over their lives .They would also have this anointing to preach to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives and many more.

Well this is a news too good to be true. It is indeed a great mystery unveiled. To appreciate what this implies can turn supermen out of most of us. There is nothing that this anointing cannot do. There is no power greater than this anointing. This meant those who come to terms with the real implications of this fact CANNOT be over powered by any form of satanic oppression of any sort. Note: it is the truth you truly embrace or submit to that totally rule you and manifests completely in you. Christ in you is indeed the hope of glory. You can say with Paul ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me’.

 You can also overcome every challenge through Christ who lives in you (1st John 4:4).

 CONFESSION

Christ is in me, what a truth to be aware of. I am made an instant champion in life that conquered in life has now taken His abode in me. Thank you Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES.

John 8:12 ” Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”

1 John 4:4 ” Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”