In our spiritual journeys, we may often wonder how we can truly align ourselves with God’s heart and His will. While prayer, Scripture study, and worship are well-known pathways to intimacy with God, one of the most powerful yet humbling methods of receiving from Him is through the gift of praying in tongues. Far more than a mere exercise in faith, praying in tongues enables believers to receive direct instruction, grace, and supernatural empowerment from God. Isaiah 28, James 4, and other passages provide rich insights into the importance of this practice, revealing God’s desire to teach us beyond our intellect and use our lives as His vessels of grace for the Body of Christ.
God’s Humble Way of Teaching: Praying in Tongues
In Isaiah 28:11-12 (Amplified Classic), God reveals how He uses a unique and humbling method to instruct His people—a way that doesn’t rely on human understanding:
“No, but [the Lord] will teach the rebels in a more humiliating way by men with stammering lips and another tongue. To these complaining Jews the Lord had said, ‘This is the true rest [the way to true comfort and happiness] that you shall give to the weary; and this is the [true] refreshing’—yet they would not listen [to His teaching].” (Isaiah 28:11-12, AMPC)
This scripture emphasizes God’s “more humiliating way” of teaching, which bypasses our intellect and pride. Speaking in tongues, a form of divine communication given through the Holy Spirit, aligns perfectly with this humble approach. It’s a language beyond our understanding that requires us to set aside self-reliance and open ourselves to God’s direct input. This form of prayer humbles us because we cannot control or fully comprehend it; we simply yield, trusting the Spirit to intercede through us.
Isaiah’s passage highlights how God’s unique teaching brings “true rest” and “refreshing” to those weary of striving on their own. But this divine rest can only come to those who are willing to listen and accept His teaching. Here, we learn that spiritual rest and refreshment are tied to yielding our understanding and embracing a supernatural method that is both humbling and restorative.
The Spirit’s Jealous Love – More Grace for the Humble
James 4:5-6 complements this message by revealing that God is actively seeking out humble hearts to fill with His Spirit:
“Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love? But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).” (James 4:5-6, AMPC)
The Holy Spirit yearns over us with “jealous love,” longing for us to welcome Him fully into our lives. This jealous yearning is not possessive; rather, it’s a passionate desire to draw us closer to God. James tells us that God’s “more and more grace”—divine empowerment—comes to those humble enough to yield to the Spirit’s lead.
When we humble ourselves by praying in tongues, we express our dependence on God and position ourselves to receive this grace. Through tongues, the Holy Spirit prays perfectly according to God’s will, even when we don’t know what to pray for (Romans 8:26-27). This divine intercession fills us with strength and spiritual insight, making us recipients of “more grace” that empowers us to face challenges, grow in faith, and walk in obedience to God.
God Uses “Rebels” Who Are Humble Enough to Yield
The Bible also reveals that God often uses those who were once “rebels” as His chosen vessels. When they humble themselves and receive the Holy Spirit, they are transformed and equipped to serve the Body of Christ. This theme emerges again in Ephesians 4:8 and Psalm 68:18, where we see how God bestows gifts upon those who have been brought low but are raised up by His grace:
“Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men.” (Ephesians 4:8, AMPC)
“You have ascended on high, You have led away captive a train of vanquished foes; You have received gifts of men, yes, of the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell there.” (Psalm 68:18, AMPC)
These verses paint a picture of Christ’s victory over sin and death, leading a procession of those who were once in captivity but have now been set free. Remarkably, Psalm 68:18 includes “the rebellious” among those from whom God receives gifts. This demonstrates that even those who were once far from Him can be transformed and empowered as His ministers. When rebels submit to the Holy Spirit, they become “gifts” to the Body of Christ—vessels of grace who, through their testimony and spiritual gifts, help to edify and build up the church.
Praying in tongues plays a critical role in this transformation. Through tongues, we experience God’s presence and instruction in a personal and profound way, drawing closer to Him and becoming better equipped to serve others. In this practice, God often gives former “rebels” the humility they need to step into their calling and minister effectively.
Praying in Tongues: A Supernatural Method of Receiving Instruction and Rest
When we pray in tongues, we are engaging in a supernatural form of communication that speaks directly to God. The Apostle Paul explains that praying in tongues builds us up spiritually (1 Corinthians 14:4), edifying and refreshing our inner man in ways we may not fully understand. This is the “true rest” and “true refreshing” Isaiah 28:12 refers to—a divine rejuvenation that fills our spirits and strengthens our walk with God.
Praying in tongues also gives the Holy Spirit a way to instruct us directly. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and remind us of everything He had taught (John 16:13). As we pray in tongues, the Spirit bypasses our intellectual limitations and reveals God’s wisdom and direction to our spirits. Over time, this builds our discernment and understanding, helping us grow in faith and walk more closely with God.
Humility as the Key to Receiving Grace and Rest
Both Isaiah’s and James’s passages reveal that humility is essential for receiving God’s grace and instruction. By humbling ourselves to pray in tongues, we acknowledge our need for God’s help and His guidance beyond what our minds can comprehend. This humility invites God’s grace, enabling us to receive His strength, wisdom, and provision for life’s challenges.
Isaiah’s “humiliating way” of teaching highlights how praying in tongues requires us to let go of our pride. James underscores that God “sets Himself against the proud” but gives grace to the humble. As we relinquish our reliance on intellect and submit to the Spirit’s guidance, we create space for God to move powerfully in our lives. In doing so, we enter into a divine partnership with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to refresh us and fill us with the grace needed to live victoriously.
God’s Desire to Use the Humble and Formerly Rebellious as His Gifts
In Ephesians 4:8 and Psalm 68:18, we see a beautiful picture of God’s redemptive power at work. Even those who were once rebellious can be transformed into gifts for the Body of Christ. When these individuals humble themselves and receive the Holy Spirit, God uses them mightily to minister to others. They become vessels of grace, edifying the church and testifying to God’s power to redeem and restore.
Praying in tongues serves as a bridge in this transformation. As formerly rebellious hearts yield to the Holy Spirit, praying in tongues enables them to connect deeply with God and receive the wisdom and empowerment needed to fulfill their calling. This transformation highlights the radical grace of God—how He not only redeems but also elevates the humble to serve as His ministers, bearing the message of His love and grace to others.
The Power of Praying in Tongues for the Body of Christ
Praying in tongues not only builds us up individually but also empowers us to serve the Body of Christ. Those who practice this gift receive greater discernment, wisdom, and insight, equipping them to be effective ministers. God’s desire is for His people to experience “true rest” and “refreshing” as they surrender to His Spirit, receiving the grace and guidance needed to support and strengthen one another.
Paul emphasizes that the church is built on mutual edification, with each member contributing their unique gifts to serve the whole (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). By praying in tongues, believers tap into a wellspring of divine grace that enables them to encourage, strengthen, and uplift others. Through this supernatural connection with God, we receive insights and revelations that can minister directly to the needs of others, bringing comfort, guidance, and encouragement to the Body of Christ.
Embracing the Gift of Tongues to Receive More Grace
The Bible invites us to embrace humility and yield to the Spirit, allowing God’s supernatural teaching and grace to flow through us. Praying in tongues is not only a gift for personal Praying in tongues is not only a gift for personal edification, but also a means by which God equips His people to minister effectively. This gift builds us up, teaches us to rely on God, and opens us to a deeper experience of His grace and love.
As we continue to surrender to the Holy Spirit and engage in this humbling yet powerful practice, we will find ourselves increasingly aligned with God’s heart and empowered to fulfill our roles within the Body of Christ. Embrace this “more humiliating way” of receiving from God and watch as He transforms your life, filling you with His rest, grace, and supernatural empowerment.
TONGUES: Receiving More Grace: