Spirit-filled, the Bride's body actually becomes "the temple of the Holy Ghost" and is "not her own," because she has been "bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  Realizing that Jesus had to lay down His life to purchase her, the Bride gladly crucifies her own flesh so that she might glorify God in body and spirit.  Thus, the Bride totally surrenders to the divine blood and yields all the members of her body to the service of the Master through the Holy Spirit.
 
     We pause here in our study to address one of the members of the body that has given the Church so much trouble - the tongue.  The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue and the words that come out of the mouth. James 3:8-10 says, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethen, these things ought not to be so."
 
     Is it any wonder then, that the Holy Spirit seeks control over the tongue, and will only give evidence to individuals of being filled (or baptized) with Him when they permit the Spirit to speak through them in an unknown tongue?  Glory!!   "When we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" in our own words (Rom. 8:26).
 
    Now we can better understand John 4:23 which says, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."  Some other benefits of speaking in an unknown tongue are:- ability to speak directly to God; to edify oneself; to be used as a sign for unbelievers (1 Cor. 14: 2,3,22); and "building up yourself on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost " (Jude 20).
 
In Christ,
 
Susie and David Parker