FOUR KEY BENEFITS OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

TONGUES FOR PERSONAL EDIFICATION           

I Cor 14:4        He that speaketh in a unknown tongue edifieth himself

One side or aspect of tongues is the use of tongues for personal edification.  All believers should take advantage of this privilege.  Paul said to the Corinth church that he desired that they all exercised this privilege (v5).  Prayer in tongues is praying from, or out of our spirit (v14).  When I do this, I am giving my spirit clear untainted access to the Father.

 Is 28:11-12 brings out the idea of rest and refreshing.  Jude 20 gives the thought of building up yourself. 

TONGUES FOR EDIFICATION OF THE BODY

I Cor 14:5        I would that you all spake with tongues, but rather that you prophesied; for greater is
                       he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he interpret, that the 
                       church may receive edifying.

Tongues can be used as a means of edification to the body when, as the Spirit wills, tongues with interpretation occur.  The body can only receive edification after a message in tongues has been interpreted into our known language.  Tongues plus interpretation are the equivalent of prophecy.  So, in a public meeting, I am to be more concerned about how I should flow with what edifies everyone.

TONGUES TO ASSIST IN PRAYER

Rom 8:26-27      Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth (co-helpeth) our infirmities (weaknesses) for we know
                         not what we should pray for as we ought: but, the Spirit Himself maketh intercession 
                         for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts
                         knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because He maketh intercession for the saints
                         according to the will of God.

The subject under discussion is intercessory prayer, and how the Holy Spirit helps us to intercede.  It should be easy to understand that we need assistance in areas where we are weak.  When it comes to praying for others or for unknown situations in our life; we pray general prayers that don't get the best results. For this reason, the believer has been given the capability to disconnect from praying from a limited position by praying in tongues, which is praying from his spirit, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. 

TONGUES TO ASSIST WITH THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

Jude 20-21       But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy 
                       Spirit, Keep yourselves in the love of God...

Phillips             But you, dear friends of mine, build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy
                       faith and by praying through the Holy Spirit keep yourselves within the love of God.

If you can pray in the spirit and keep yourself in the love of God, you can keep yourself in the other fruits, by praying in the spirit.   When you pray in tongues you are praying from your spirit (I Cor 14:14).   The Holy Spirit is a friend not a foe.  He has been given to help us become who our heavenly father made us to be.  Without his assistance none of us can achieve Gods best.  Remember that weakness simply means an inability to operate at the highest level.  With the Holy Spirits help, that inability is eliminated.  Thank God for the Holy Spirits ministry.