I’ve often had people ask, “Do I have to speak in other tongues when I am baptized in the Holy Spirit?”. My answer is always, “No. It’s not a have to. It’s a get to.” Why is it a get to? Speaking in other tongues gives us the extraordinary privilege to get to communicate with the Father in a supernatural way and, in doing so, we get to enjoy many enormous benefits. If for no other reason, I’d enjoy the get to for this one benefit …
When the busyness of life happens (and it does often) causing you to feel overwhelmed and acknowledge that your get up and go has got up and gone, you get to pray in other tongues to open the door to this supernatural benefit …
“For with stammering lips and another tongue
will he speak to this people. To whom he said,
This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary
to rest; and this is the refreshing …”
Isaiah 28:11-12
Did you catch that? To those who are weary, God spoke through Isaiah and said that praying in the Spirit (another tongue) will give you a supernatural rest and refreshing. If I were to create a Billy Burns translation of these verses, I’d would say to those who are overwhelmed with life, praying in other tongues will give you your second wind. Or, I might translate the verses by saying to those who have reached the end of their physical/emotional/spiritual ability, praying in the Spirit will put the wind back in your sail.
Are you surprised with these translations? You shouldn’t be. His very name Holy Spirit makes these translations a no-brainer. Our English word “Spirit” comes from the Greek word “pneuma” which literally means wind or breath. Being in the presence of the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to move in you as you pray with His enablement in other tongues causes the wind of heaven to blow upon you to refresh and put life back into your body, mind, and spirit.
So, back to the original question. Have to? Nope. Get to. I get to pray in the Spirit which allows me to get and get and get much needed supernatural rest and refreshing! I’ll sign off so that I can go enjoy the privilege of praying in the Spirit (and reap the benefits).
