In Jesus, You Are a Supernatural Being

When you pray in your Holy Spirit language (tongues), your spirit prays. The Holy Spirit gives insight, understanding, and strength that your natural mind cannot reach on its own (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14–15).

What Scripture Says

  • You speak mysteries to God — Praying in tongues is prayer that the Spirit gives, directed to God (1 Corinthians 14:2).
  • You are built up — Praying in tongues edifies you, strengthening your inner life for wisdom and clarity (1 Corinthians 14:4).
  • Spirit first, then understanding — Pray with the spirit and with the understanding also. Praying in the Spirit often opens understanding you can then pray in your known language (1 Corinthians 14:14–15).
  • Aligned with God’s will — The Spirit helps our weakness and intercedes according to God’s will, which brings guidance and clarity (Romans 8:26–27).
  • Strengthened in faith — Praying in the Holy Spirit builds you up in faith, which supports discernment and insight (Jude 20).

What Jesus Promised About the Spirit

  • The Spirit will be with you and in you (John 14:16–17).
  • The Spirit will teach you and bring to remembrance what Jesus said (John 14:26).
  • The Spirit will testify of Jesus and guide you into all truth; He will show you things to come and glorify Jesus (John 15:26; 16:13–14).

These promises explain why praying in the Spirit produces insight and understanding. The Spirit is the Teacher and Guide living in you.

Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit Separate From Salvation?

The Book of Acts presents salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit as related yet distinct experiences:

  • Acts 2:1–4 — Disciples already believed, then were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.
  • Acts 8:12–17 — Samaritans believed and were baptized in water; later Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
  • Acts 10:44–48; 11:15–17 — Cornelius and his household heard the gospel, the Holy Spirit fell on them, they spoke in tongues and magnified God, then they were baptized in water.
  • Acts 19:1–6 — Disciples at Ephesus believed, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, then Paul laid hands on them; they received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied.

Bottom line: You receive Jesus for salvation. Jesus then baptizes you in the Holy Spirit for power and spiritual gifts (John 1:33; Acts 1:4–8).

Why Praying in Tongues Brings Insight

  • Your spirit prays — When you pray in tongues, it is your spirit praying by the Holy Spirit, not your unaided mind (1 Corinthians 14:14).
  • Mind of Christ within — In your new nature you have the mind of Christ and an anointing that teaches (1 Corinthians 2:16; 1 John 2:20; Colossians 3:10). Praying in tongues draws on what the Spirit knows.
  • Pathway to understanding — Paul pairs praying in the Spirit with praying with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). Many believers report that insight, scriptures, and direction follow seasons of praying in tongues.
  • Gifts and power — The Spirit empowers, gives gifts, and produces boldness for witness and ministry (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22–23). Insight often comes as part of this empowering.

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

  • Assure your foundation — Confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9–10).
  • Ask in faith — Jesus promised the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:9–13; John 7:37–39).
  • Receive — Welcome the Holy Spirit’s fullness by faith (Galatians 3:2).
  • Yield your tongue — Begin to speak as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). You speak; the Spirit gives the language.

Simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and Lord. I ask You to baptize me in the Holy Spirit. I receive Your promise now. Holy Spirit, fill me. I yield my tongue to You and speak by faith. Thank You for insight, understanding, and power to glorify Jesus. Amen.

How to Practice Praying in the Spirit

  • Set a daily time to pray in tongues.
  • Pair it with Scripture reading; expect verses to come alive.
  • Keep a notepad; write thoughts, scriptures, and directions that surface.
  • When insight comes, pray it with understanding and obey promptly.

Quick Q&A

Does the Bible say tongues will cease? Yes, when perfection arrives and we see face to face and know as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:8–12). Until then, the gifts remain needed.

Should a church forbid tongues? No. Scripture says do not forbid speaking in tongues and pursue orderly use with love (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39–40).

Verse Bank (for quick study)

  • Tongues and insight — (1 Corinthians 14:2) (1 Corinthians 14:4) (1 Corinthians 14:14–15) (Romans 8:26–27) (Jude 20)
  • Spirit as Teacher and Guide — (John 14:16–17, 26) (John 15:26) (John 16:13–14)
  • Power and gifts — (Acts 1:8) (1 Corinthians 12) (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • Separate experiences in Acts — (Acts 2:1–4) (Acts 8:12–17) (Acts 10:44–48; 11:15–17) (Acts 19:1–6)
  • Order and love — (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39–40) (1 Corinthians 13:8–12)