Acts 18:9-18
Psalm 47:2-7
John 16:20-23
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WHO'S GOT YOUR TONGUE?
"Do not be afraid. Go on speaking and do not be silenced." —Acts 18:9
At the first Christian Pentecost, the Holy Spirit dealt in a magnificent way with tongues. First, the Spirit appeared in the form of “tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3). The apostles yielded their formerly silent tongues to speak in both native and foreign languages, proclaiming the prophetic Word of God (Acts 2:4ff). Their hearers used their tongues to repent and ask how to be saved (Acts 2:37).
Once the Spirit has your tongue, the battle begins. Satan accuses you of being foolish (Acts 2:13) and enflames any fears you may have. The world attempts to intimidate and silence you. This is what the apostles experienced once the Spirit took over their tongues. Nevertheless, the apostles yielded to the inspiration of the Spirit, not to the attacks of Satan and the world.
When we yield our tongues to the Spirit, the pressure to stifle the Holy Spirit and hold our tongues is so fierce that the Lord personally assures us: “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silenced, for I am with you” (Acts 18:9).
Today is the first day of the Pentecost Novena, nine days of prayer to prepare to receive the Holy Spirit in fullness at Pentecost. Give the Lord your mind, heart, soul, and tongue. Ask the Lord to teach you “what to say and how to speak” (Jn 12:49). Allow the Holy Spirit to control your speech in both your native tongue and in the spiritual gift of tongues.
Prayer: Father, I ask You in Jesus' name to prepare my heart to be a worthy dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.
Promise: "I give you My assurance, whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name." —Jn 16:23
Praise: Once drawn toward late night TV, Linda noticed that when she started serving the Lord, her life was so full of blessed service, there was no time to waste on watching TV.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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