EXPERIENCING THE SPIRITUAL
SEED OF CHRIST-IN-US
The other day I was
listening to a friend who knows a lot about the clandestine motives and hidden
background to world events, things the general public does not know. There are
people who orchestrate international tragedies, as well as national ones and
even down to the state and local levels. It can be horrifying, maddening and depressing.
Religion might say, “Just don’t look at it.” That may be okay for some, but if
we look at the Bible, we see that more often than not, God’s people were
involved on the grass roots level of life. They faced the cultural and
political fields head on and dealt with it.
In the Old Testament
times, the Spirit of God was “on” a person. In Jesus’ time on earth the Spirit
of God was “with” them. Jesus told His disciples that after He went back to the
Father in Heaven, they would have the Spirit of God “in” them. Then He told
them how they could build up that seed of His Spirit within. Remember, it’s
called “being born again.” A baby has all the raw material, but needs to grow.
That’s how Christ-in-us is.
“And he [Jesus] said unto them, ‘Go
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned.
‘And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take
up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they
shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into
heaven, and sat on the right hand of God” (Mark 16: 15-19).
Jesus told them they will speak in
new tongues. Why would they need that? Well, Jerusalem and that part of the
world wasn’t exactly in a peaceful place, much like the world now is not in a
peaceful place. They would need to build up that Spirit in them as fast as they
could, to be able to be strong and powerful and peaceful and trusting. They
would have to be spiritually sharp on the inside, to be able to righteously
handle the things happening on the outside.
Speaking in tongues is
something that is spiritual “Wheaties,” or a power energy drink to the Christ-in-us.
The Apostle Paul said: “When a person speaks in another language, he
helps himself grow” (1 Cor. 14: 4).
Jude corroborates
this: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying
in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). “Praying in the Holy Spirit includes speaking in
tongues. We need to be built up spiritually, just like the believers of the
first century church.
I want to remind
those of us who know how to speak in tongues, to do it more. For those who want
to do it and don’t know how, it’s not hard at all. Thank the Lord for what He’s
given you. He’s the one who said you can do it.
If you need more
documentation, read the book of Acts and see how often it comes up. Regular
people all over the book of Acts, spoke in tongues. Jesus told the disciples to
breathe in, then speak out the words the Holy Spirit gives. They will be a
different language than you already know, so don’t think it’s weird just
because it sounds odd to you.
The more you
speak, the more comfortable you will be. Once you start speaking in tongues out
loud, probably in private, you can start speaking in tongues in your head, just
like you would talk to yourself silently. This way, you can speak in tongues
while you’re at work or at the gym or just going about your regular daily
routines, without people wondering about what the heck you’re doing.
There are many
other great benefits to speaking in tongues. Do you want to understand things
better from God’s point of view? How about when you don’t exactly know what a
person needs and you want to pray for them? The Word of God says speaking in
tongues is for that. It’s perfect prayer. (See Romans 8: 26).
First Corinthians
14:22 says speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers. It’s also a sign to
us. Anyone who takes the time to learn a different language knows it takes time
and effort and memorization. When we speak in tongues, the words just come out.
Maybe it’s a little slow at first, but not necessarily. In a very short time, it
flows easily.
But the biggest
affect you’ll see from speaking in tongues is that you’ll see yourself growing
spiritually. You’ll experience more insight in your life, more power, more
confidence, more trust, more might, more energy, all of which come from the
spiritual fire getting stronger and bigger within you. Worth it? Yes, very
worth it!
In a treacherous world we can be better
equipped as ambassadors and warriors for our Lord when we agree with Jesus: “They shall speak with new tongues.” When a person speaks in tongues, “he helps
himself grow.”
Love, Carolyn
If you’d like a
free pdf to download, WINGS: A JOURNEY IN FAITH – PART 3,
email me at cjmolica@hotmail.com.
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