He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself… (1 Corinthians 14:4).
For you to experience appreciable spiritual growth, you must speak in tongues often. Praying in tongues is an effective means of spiritual communication with the Lord; it transcends the natural mind or intellect (1 Corinthians 14:14). You’re stirred when you speak in tongues, the anointing wells up like currents from your spirit.
According to our opening verse, you edify yourself when you speak in tongues. “Edify” which means to instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral or spiritual improvement, much in the same sense as building or constructing an edifice. The idea given to us by the Spirit of God is that when we speak in other tongues (spiritual language) we build up ourselves, like an edifice, brick by brick, as you would a physical structure (Jude 1:20).
In Acts 20:32, Paul said to the brethren at Ephesus “And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up….” Connecting this with our text lets us know that speaking in tongues works in conjunction with the Word to build yourself. If you want to grow stronger spiritually, not only should you study and listen to God’s Word, you should also speak in tongues frequently.
The Bible says, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 1:20). Speaking in other tongues is therefore a necessary requirement for your spiritual growth and uplifting. If you’re born again and have received the Holy Spirit, you can and should speak in tongues frequently. You don’t need to wait for special prayer times; wherever you are, speak in tongues. It will condition and programme your spirit for the life of success and dominion.
Heavenly Father, my life is transformed, and my spirit is conditioned for success, dominion and victory as I speak in other tongues. I’m catapulted to higher realms of glory, strengthened with your miracle-working ability in my spirit, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
