THE GREAT SECRETS OF APOSTLE PAUL (PART 4)
TEXTS:
"…but this one thing I do, …" (Philippians 3 verse 13, King James Version)
"And herein do I exercise myself, … "
(Acts 24 verse 16, King James Version)
This is the fourth part of our discussion about the great secrets of our beloved brother and humble servant of God, Apostle Paul. There's no argument about his profound success in his walk with God, which translated to an enviable success in ministry. Our aim this morning is to investigate his life from Scriptural perspective, highlighting what he did, that we may learn from him, so that we too may be successful in our Christian walk. (Romans 15 verse 4).
HE SPOKE IN TONGUES PROFUSELY!
"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:" (1st Corinthians 14 verse 18).
This man of God was comparing himself with the entire Church at Corinth put together. That's tremendous! There was obviously something about speaking in tongues that the Apostle Paul knew which others didn't know. What did he know about tongues that decided him to take much advantage of it, that made him to give so much prominence to it l? Let's examine a few reasons he chose to do so:
1) He learned that tongues were a pure language given by God to commune with Him (Zephaniah 3 verse 9). Praying in tongues affords the believer the purest language with which to express himself to God. There are certain things we cannot find words appropriate enough in ordinary language with which to express them to God. Unknown tongues are the language of God and of angels.
2) He learned that praying in tongues brought rest and refreshment to God's people (Isaiah 28 verse 11 verse 12).
3) He learned that those who prayed in tongues edified or improved themselves (1st Corinthians 14 verse 4, Jude verse 20). In other words, he knew that by praying in unknown tongues, he edified himself, built himself up, or charged himself up like a battery. As we pray in tongues, we are charging up and strengthening our spirits by the power of the Holy Spirit, ready to do exploits in the spirit realm!
4) He learned that those who prayed in tongues spoke mysteries (1st Corinthians 14 verse 2).
There are some mysteries about your life which you may not have access to; neither can you activate them except you pray in tongues. These are deep truths about your life which prayer in ordinary language cannot access, except by the Spirit's help.
5) Apostle Paul learned that praying in other tongues is his spirit, by the Holy Spirit within him praying (1st Corinthians 14 verse 14). Most times, we don't know what we should pray for. We can't possibly know in our natural mind what and how to pray as we should because there are so many things known only to God, but "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities." (Romans 8 verse 26).
Helping our infirmities means the Holy Spirit takes hold together with us in prayer against the obstacles and hindrances we encounter in life. Again, this is awesome!
For these reasons, among many others, Apostle Pau prayed more in tongues and gave prominence to it than praying with understanding (1st Corinthians 14 verse 15).
Henceforth, let's learn to pray in other tongues daily and we'll be amazed at how much growth and prowess in the spirit that will be open to us, how much of a success we'll become shortly. Don't be among those that reject or neglect this beautiful means of spiritual advancement.
Have a blissful day!
PRAYER
Dearest Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of unknown tongues. From now henceforth, I take advantage of it, to the glory of your name, in Jesus' mighty name.