THE 7 BLESSINGS OF TONGUES

EXHORTATION

No. 4

Publically speaking in tongues is how we minister as the voice of God to the local Church. In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us that in a particular congregation the Spirit gives "to one", as "He wills", "divers kinds of tongues" and he also encourages us to "Earnestly desire spiritual gifts."
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the Church may receive edifying.

When interpreted, speaking in tongues can produce: revelation, knowledge, prophecy or doctrine (teaching). When we publically exhort the Church with a word in tongues and then interpret that word we can edify the body of Christ. It is a great privilege to be used in such a way by God. When you study 1 Corinthians 14:5 more closely it reveals more about the spiritual gifts. The more literal meaning of this verse is: "I want you all to be speaking in tongues, but rather IN ORDER THAT you may be prophesying." In Greek its literally translated "but rather" instead of "even more", or "but especially. In other words, Paul desires that we speak in tongues not only publically followed by an interpretation, but "even more" "especially" IN ORDER THAT we may prophesy. Hes implying that when we speak in tongues under our breath during a service it leads to prophesy. Glory to God as we pray in the Spirit privately before and during services, quietly, to ourselves and to God we are able to "stir up" the gifts of the Spirit in ministry (1 Corinthians 14:28) In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 we see that the 9 gifts of the Spirit are not "permanent" gifts or ministries as are the gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. Rather, they are "manifestations" of the Spirit, given IN THE PRESENT MOMENT, to those who are seeking for them. For example in 1 Corinthians 12:8 it reads, literally: For to one IS BEING GIVEN by the Spirit the word of wisdom." This implies that its an "on again" "off again manifestation of the gift of wisdom and not something permanent. Any one of the 9 gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 may be used by any Spirit-filled believer who wants to be used. (1 Corinthians 14:28) As we wait on God praying quietly in the tongues before and during a service, we make ourselves available for other manifestations of the Spirit to exhort the Church. Praying in tongues is the "missing link" in the spiritual gifts, its the door to all the other 8 gifts.
http://hot-tongues.blogspot.com/
These notes are based on Rev. Dr. Joseph Kostelnik book Prayer in the Spirit.