Tuesday, 23rd December, 2025
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14: 27-28
Memory Verse: I would like every one of you to speak in tongues… 1 Corinthians 14:5a (NIV)
A misconception is a belief or opinion about something that is wrong or not accurate.
Here are some common misconceptions about praying in the Holy Ghost (praying in tongues), along with the biblical clarity for each one:
Misconception 1: “Praying in the Holy Ghost is only for certain special Christians.” Some think it’s a rare gift for only pastors, prophets, or highly spiritual believers.
Truth: In Acts 2, Acts 10, and Acts 19, we see that all believers present received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. Paul says, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues” (1 Cor. 14:5). It’s not about spiritual status but about availability and desire.
Misconception 2: “It’s the same as the gift of tongues for public interpretation.” Many confuse the private prayer language (Jude 20; 1 Cor. 14:2) with the public gift of tongues that requires interpretation (1 Cor. 12:10).
Truth: There is a distinction. Private prayer in tongues edifies you (1 Cor. 14:4) and does not need interpretation while public tongues in a meeting edifies the church and must be interpreted (1 Cor. 14:27–28).
Misconception 3: “If I don’t understand it, it’s pointless.” Some reject praying in tongues because the mind doesn’t grasp the words.
Truth: Paul explains that when you pray in the Spirit, your spirit prays though your mind is unfruitful (1 Cor. 14:14). It’s a spiritual communication with God, bypassing natural understanding, useful especially when you don’t know what to pray (Rom. 8:26).
Misconception 4: “It will happen to me automatically if God wants me to have it.” Some wait passively for God to “take over” their mouth.
Truth: The Holy Spirit gives the utterance, but you must yield your tongue and speak by faith (Acts 2:4). It’s a partnership, not a takeover.
Misconception 5: “It’s an emotional frenzy or a sign of losing control.” Some fear they’ll act weird or be overtaken.
Truth: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control (Gal. 5:23). In 1 Cor. 14:32, Paul says, “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.” You can start and stop as you will.
Misconception 6: “It’s just babbling made up by the person.” Some dismiss it as meaningless sounds.
Truth: Acts 2:11 says the people heard “the wonders of God” in their own languages. Even when it’s a heavenly language (1 Cor. 13:1), it is still a Spirit-enabled utterance to God, not gibberish.
Misconception 7: “It’s not important for spiritual growth.” Some see it as an optional, minor practice.
Truth: Jude 1:20 says, “Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” It’s a God-given tool for strengthening your spirit, increasing sensitivity to Him, and aligning with His will. As a Christian, you’re limited in the things of the Spirit without the ability to pray in tongues.
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for the gift of speaking in a heavenly language.
2. Blood of Jesus, purge my spirit, soul, and body, in Jesus name.
3. Holy Spirit, reconstruct my mindset against any wrong belief or untrue popular opinion about speaking in tongues, in Jesus name.
4. Renew my mind, and give me a correct understanding of the power of praying in tongues, in Jesus name.
5. Cloven tongues of fire, fall upon my lips, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Timothy 1-4
