How to Sharpen Your Spiritual Perception
Praying with the tongue of the learned — Isaiah 50:4
The culture typically mocks those who speak with tongues characterizing them as ingorant and superstitious. However, God sees it differently. He sees those who speak with tongues as having the tongue of the learned (Isaiah 50:4), and those who don’t speak with tongues as unlearned (1 Corinthians 14:23-24). For every believer, praying in tongues is essential. And it’s not just for a select few; it’s something God is calling all believers to lean into right now.
My Journey of Discovery With Praying In Tongues
I’m telling you, praying in tongues is transformative. My journey with the praying in tongues daily has been sporadic over the years. I’d pray here and there in tongues. Some days I’d miss, some weeks might only have a few dedicated sessions. But recently, the Lord pressed upon me the centrality and benefits of praying in the Spirit, reminding me of the foundation laid in Acts 2:4:
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
This verse shows us the genesis of the new covenant—a powerful beginning that changed everything. Since I began engaging in intentional, daily prayer in the Spirit, the revelation from the Scriptures has been nothing short of overwhelming. The Bible has been opening up in ways I’d only dreamed of, with insights so rich it feels impossible to capture them all.
I’ve spent decades poring over the Scriptures. Currently, I’m working on my doctoral dissertation, memorizing Greek words, delving into nuances of the language and meaning. And I’ve always desired a fresh overflow of insight. I’ve pursued the ability to not only feed myself but to serve others, believers and seekers alike, with the depth of revelation I knew was possible.
In these past few months, I’ve been intentionally praying in tongues day and night, even in the middle of the night when I briefly wake up. Recently, I awoke at 2:15 a.m. from a disturbing dream, and after a brief conversation with the Lord about it, I laid there praying in the Spirit from 2:30 until about 4:30 a.m., then drifted back to sleep. It has been cathartic.
“He that speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men but unto God.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)
This practice—speaking Spirit-to-Spirit with God—has released such profound revelations that I realize this is what the Father wants for each of us. His desire is for our “cup to run over” (Psalm 23:5). We must seize this moment to deepen our connection and understanding of God’s Spirit through tongues.
A Tongue of Humility
To truly pray in tongues, we must be humble enough to yield control of our own minds. It requires us to release control over our tongues and speak in a language our minds don’t understand. This act of humility is why some resist the baptism in the Holy Spirit—they want to stay in control. But the Apostle Paul’s words echo here:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)
The Tongue of the Learned
One revelation that came through recently has been powerful: praying in tongues is the “tongue of the learned.” This realization struck my wife during a recent conference, where a minister spoke on spiritual insight, referencing Isaiah 50:4:
“The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”
When we pray in tongues, we are tapping into divine wisdom, speaking words we may not understand but which carry power and direction from the Holy Spirit. This tongue of the learned allows us to speak a timely word to others, sharing the wisdom that comes from God, not from our intellect.
“Praying in tongues is an act of mental humility.” Rhea L. Mills
I have experienced this personally. The more I pray in my prayer language the more capable I am to speak a word in season to others. My preaching and teaching have gone to another level. And it is with less effort.
A Call to Action
The Lord is saying to someone today, you are reading this to receive an answer. If you haven’t been praying daily in the Spirit, it could be the very reason you’re not seeing the answers or directions you’ve been seeking. Praying in tongues is God’s method of delivery for those breakthroughs.
It’s time for all believers to lean into this practice—not as a routine, but as a lifeline, a direct connection to the heart of God. Let’s press into this season, receive the wisdom of the “tongue of the learned,” and allow our prayer language to guide us in ways beyond our understanding.
The Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out God’s calling, just as it empowered Jesus. In Luke, we see that Jesus grew in wisdom and knowledge, setting an example for us in how the Holy Spirit enables divine understanding and discernment:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
(Luke 2:52)
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, filling Him and preparing Him for ministry. Though He was the Son of God, He ministered as a man empowered by the Spirit. It was in the river Jordan, where Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, that He received the tongue of the learned.
“And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.”
(Luke 3:21-22)
As Isaiah foretold, God would give His Servant the "tongue of the learned" so that He would know how to bring comfort to the weary:
"The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.” (Isaiah 50:4)
Believers Were Given the Tongue of the Learned in Acts 2:4
The Body of Christ received the same tongue of the learned on the day of Pentecost. And you can receive the tongue of the learned when you receive the Holy Spirit and speak with tongues. All of us can have the same Jordan river experience as Jesus. All of us can have Isaiah 50:4.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 believers gathered in Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the Church age. As they were filled, they began to speak in languages they had not known, languages recognizable to the devout men who had traveled from various nations to celebrate Pentecost in Jerusalem:
“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”
(Acts 2:5-6)
This sign of the Spirit’s arrival left many amazed and questioning how untrained Galileans could speak languages from across the world:
“Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?’”
(Acts 2:7-8)
These Galileans, known for being uneducated in languages and learning, spoke with the wisdom and knowledge provided by the Holy Spirit, becoming bold witnesses for Jesus.
We Are the New Acts 2:4 Generation
As the book of Acts continues, Peter and John, though regarded as “uneducated and untrained men,” astonished the religious leaders, who recognized that they had been with Jesus:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
(Acts 4:13)
When the were filled with the Holy Spirit they were given the tongue of the learned by God. They were now operating in God’s higher and hidden wisdom. We also have access to this hidden wisdom by praying in tongues daily. 1 Corinthians 2:6 talks about this hidden wisdom available to us by the Spirit of God.
Speaking in Tongues: A Key Part of the Latter Rain of God’s Spirit in the Last Days
In the agricultural imagery of Scripture, the Holy Spirit is likened to “rain,” both in its early outpouring at Pentecost and the latter rain in the end times, preparing for a final harvest of souls. The Apostle James encourages patience as we await the Lord’s return, knowing that God will send a final outpouring of His Spirit:
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”
(James 5:7)
In the last days, the Spirit will be poured out in an intensity that mirrors the beginning of the Church. As the age closes, believers are called to prepare their hearts, stay vigilant, and embrace the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Acts 2:4 generation is called to lean into this promise, stirring up the gift of the tongues within them, just as it was on the Day of Pentecost. Just as God moved powerfully among the early believers, so too does He desire to move through His people today.
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
(James 5:8)
As we look toward the “latter rain,” let us yield to the Holy Spirit and live empowered lives, becoming vessels through which God brings healing, wisdom, and words of life to a world in need.
In a world rife with social and economic disparity, the cries of injustice ring out. James, in his epistle, reminds us that the Lord of Sabaoth hears these cries:
"The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in the day of slaughter." (James 5:4-5)
The warning here is not merely about wealth, but about living in luxury with no regard for God. God is listening, and there is a divine harvest approaching—not a harvest of crops, but of souls.
James continues to remind us to be patient, just as a farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, for the early and latter rain (James 5:7-8). In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came upon the early church at Pentecost, marking the "early rain." As we now await the latter rain of the Holy Spirit’s final outpouring, there’s an urgency for believers to seek God and bring souls into His kingdom.
“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)
We can do this only through the same spiritual gifts that were used to start the church age. Praying in tongues was a key part of the early rain. It is certain that it will be a key part of the latter rain.
The Paradox of Tongues: The Language of the Learned
On the day of Pentecost, unlearned Galileans were filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in languages unknown to them but understood by others. Paul speaks of this phenomenon in 1 Corinthians 14. This gift is called the “tongue of the learned” because it allows believers to speak directly to God in a way that transcends human understanding.
In the New King James version of 1 Corinthians, Paul refers to those without understanding of tongues as "uninformed" or "unbelievers." But in the original greek, the word “unlearned” is used, describing those unfamiliar with the Spirit’s work. The Greek word used here is idiotes, from which we derive the word "idiot." But in its original context, idiotes simply means self-opinionated or ignorant, not foolish in the way we may think today. Strong’s defines the word as “ignoramus”.
The irony is rich: those who call Spirit-filled believers "unlearned" are now, in God’s eyes, themselves unlearned. They are the ones who are ignoramuses. To God, tongue-speaking believers have received “the tongue of the learned,” and He values their willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit.
Praying in Tongues Gives Us a Word in Season For Others
Isaiah speaks of the “tongue of the learned” and its purpose for equipping us to speak a word in season to the weary:
"The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary." (Isaiah 50:4)
This is where praying in tongues truly manifests its power. As believers engage in this spiritual practice, they are equipped by God with words of encouragement, wisdom, and strength—precisely what others need to hear. Through daily prayer in tongues, we can receive timely insights and become vessels of grace and encouragement for others.
Each morning, we are called to open our hearts to God, as Isaiah says, "He awakens my ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4). Praying in tongues awakens our spiritual ears and readies us to be messengers of His love and strength in a weary world.
Praying in Tongues Awakens Our Spiritual Ears
In the pursuit of spiritual growth, many believers find themselves grappling with the concept of speaking in tongues. This divine language, often seen as foreign or confusing, is a powerful tool for those who are humble enough to embrace it. As we explore the significance of this gift, let us consider how praying in tongues opens our spiritual ears and deepens our understanding of God's wisdom.
"He awakens my ear to hear as the learned." (Isaiah 50:4)
When we pray in our prayer tongue, the Holy Spirit awakens our spiritual senses. We engage in a divine dialogue, praying with a tongue does not align with our understanding, yet connects us to the Spirit of God. This process is transformative; through it, we become educated in the kingdom of heaven.
In God's kingdom, true education is not measured by degrees or accolades but by humility. Those who pray in a language they do not mentally comprehend are the ones truly advancing spiritually. They are opening their ears to the wisdom of God, aligning themselves with His thoughts and ways.
"The Lord God has opened my ear." (Isaiah 50:5)
On the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit opened the ears of the believers to God's voice. The more we engage in this practice, the more we find our spiritual ears attuned to His will. Jesus said, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear” (Revelation 2:7), emphasizing the importance of being receptive to God’s guidance.
Unfortunately, pride often holds many believers back from embracing this gift. The fear of what others might think can stifle the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Yet, Paul encourages us to “stir up the gift of God” that has been placed within us:
"Stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6)
We are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Praying in tongues is an act of humility that allows us to transcend worldly wisdom.
The Wisdom of God vs. the Wisdom of the World
Paul warns us about the dangers of worldly wisdom, which can often be misleading:
"If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise." (1 Corinthians 3:18)
The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God, and He catches the wise in their own craftiness. Those who rely solely on human understanding may find themselves missing the deeper truths that come through spiritual revelation.
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Corinthians 3:19)
In God’s eyes, those who are willing to become “fools” for the sake of the Gospel, by speaking in tongues, gain true wisdom. This is how God invites us into a deeper understanding of His heart.
As we pray in tongues, we are stepping into a realm of understanding that transcends our natural understanding and academic knowledge.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways." (Isaiah 55:8)
When we pray in tongues, we align ourselves with God's thoughts and ways. We become the “learned” ones in the God’s estimation and in the arena of spiritual realities.
Conclusion: Key Applications for Our Lives
Embrace Humility: Recognize that true wisdom comes from God, not from human understanding. Be willing to humble yourself and speak in tongues, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers.
Cultivate a Prayer Habit: Make praying in tongues a regular part of your spiritual routine. As you do, watch how God opens your ears to hear His voice more clearly.
Seek Spiritual Impact: Understand that praying in tongues equips you to speak a timely word to others. God prepares you to minister to those who are weary, giving you the right words at the right time.
Reject Worldly Wisdom: Let go of the fear of being misunderstood or judged. Instead, recognize that God values your willingness to step out in faith and engage with Him on a spiritual level by embracing your spiritual prayer language daily.
Encourage Others: Share your experiences and the benefits of speaking in tongues with fellow believers. Help them understand that this gift is an avenue for deeper connection with God.
As we continue to pray in the language of the learned, may our spiritual ears be awakened to hear God's wisdom, and may we boldly declare His truths to a world in need. Let us keep talking in the language of the Spirit, inviting others to join us on this transformative journey.