How can I speak in tongues?

Agony Guy

Agony Home

When you get saved, do you receive the Holy Spirit and tongues?

I'm a new Christian. They say that if a person accepts Jesus Christ as His personal Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit will immediately dwell in his heart and that he will get the 'gift of tongues.'

I don't have this gift. Does that mean that the Holy Spirit does not dwell in me even if I already accepted Jesus in my heart? I keep thinking that maybe I don't have Him yet because I still sin and have addictions, - Lisa.

Lisa, when we get converted, the Holy Spirit does come and quicken our spirit; that is being 'born again'.

Romans 12:1-2, says that our 'mind' has to be renewed. You still have addictions etc, because your mind does not get 'wiped' when you are converted. It takes time in God's presence and reading His word, whilst fellowshipping with others to renew our minds to think like Christ would. We never fully experience this.

Jesus breathed on His disciples (in the book of John) and they received the Holy Spirit. Some say this was their conversion. Later on, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem (they fasted and prayed) until the Holy Spirit was poured out. As they sought God, the Holy Spirit did come and they spoke with new tongues.

In the book of Corinthians, we find Paul explaining the gift of tongues and how believers should use this gift from God. So, yes, you did receive the Holy Spirit when you were saved, but now, as the Apostles, you need to wait (in prayer) in your Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit is poured out upon you.

In James 4:8 it is says, "Draw near to God and He'll draw near to you". God is putting the emphasis upon you to seek Him, to cry out for the Holy Spirit to fill you, and give you the gift of tongues. I encourage you to pray every day, (not just on your knees, but as you walk around), quietly pray in your heart asking God to send the Holy Spirit to fill you.

Then I encourage you to go to a church where the Holy Spirit is welcomed and moving and after (or during) the meeting, go to the front and ask for someone to pray for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for the gift of tongues.

As you praise God in your natural language, you will begin to find some strange sounds (like another language) flowing out of your mouth. Don't resist it. Don't be embarrassed - go for it, because it is a gift from God.

Jesus promises that you will receive the Holy Spirit when you seek Him.

Luke 11:13 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

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