Just like learning a new language takes practice, so does allowing the rivers of living water to flow from your belly, by freely speaking in tongues. When I first received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, I only spoke with a few syllables as the spirit gave me utterance. The more I spoke in tongues, the more my prayer language flourished, my spirit was edified, and understanding of the scriptures became easier.
MYSTERIES 1 Corinthians 4:2 says whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God, and in the spirit he speaks Mysteries. GIVING THANKS 1 Corinthians 4:16 says “that if I bless (pray) with the spirit, I’m Giving Thanks to God. EDIFICATION 1 Corinthians 4:4 says “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue Edifieth himself..” (KJV) The Greek word for Edifieth is, “oikodomeō” and means to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:—(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden. 1 Corinthians 4:4 the Amplified translation reads, “He who speaks in a [strange] tongue EDIFIES and IMPROVES himself..” Praying in the Holy Ghost means my spirit is edified and I’m building and improving myself. Maybe this is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:18. he spoke in tongues more than anyone. The Classic Amplified says, “more than any of you or all of you put together” In addition to learning to flourish in my personal prayer language, Praying in the Holy Ghost allows my spirit to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as my Teacher and Helper. Jesus said, “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” John 14:26 (AMP) That same Greek word, oikodomeō, is used in Jude 20. “But ye, beloved, BUILDING UP yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (KJV) The Amplified translation reads, “But you, beloved, BUILD yourselves UP on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit” (AMP) I like that! Continually progress, rise like an edifice HIGHER and HIGHER on the foundation of Faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Jesus used the same Greek word, oikodomeō, when He said the wise man’s house was BUILT upon a rock. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which BUILT (oikodomeō), his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matt. 7:24-25 (KJV) Hearing, and doing the sayings of Jesus will help us to be like a wise man. To be a successful house-builder, and effectively construct our house on the foundation of faith, we should pray in tongues as we meditate and hear God’s Word. With the help of the Counselor, the Holy Ghost, praying in tongues will release the power of revelation knowledge into our life. Jesus said that revelation knowledge is the ROCK that He would BUILD (oikodomeō), his church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not REVEALED it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this ROCK (revelation knowledge), I will BUILD (oikodomeō) my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt: 16:17-18 (KJV) The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 1 that we were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. He said he did not cease to GIVE THANKS when praying for the believers; that God would give us the Spirit of Wisdom, Revelation Knowledge and Open the Eyes of our Understanding. I have a hunch, when Paul was praying for believers, in his Giving of Thanks, it included praying in tongues. My goodness, he did it “more than any of them or all of them put together” As a young, spirit-filled Christian, the more I prayed in tongues, the easier it became to flow into those rivers of living water and develop freedom in the spirit. Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 (KJV) Speaking in tongues turned into singing in the spirit, giving thanks in the spirit, prophesying in the spirit, interceding in the spirit and speaking those wonderful mysteries unto God. Hear and Do the sayings of Jesus! Allow the Holy Spirit of Truth to bring Revelation and Understanding of God’s Word into your life. Let the rivers of living water flow from your belly today. Learn how to Pray in the Holy Ghost and you will Rise like an Edifice, (oikodomeō), Higher and Higher! When the rains, floods and winds of life come your way, you’ll be able to stand on the solid rock and the gates of hell will not prevail against you.
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