We talked about Paul’s statement of the fact that he spoke with tongues more than all of the rest of the people put together, is the implication.  I don’t mean pridefully.  I mean he was boasting in the Holy Ghost.  He was boasting in the benefits of praying in the Spirit.  “For he that prays in an unknown tongue,” the Scripture says, “edifieth himself,” (Amen?) 1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, verse 4.  Write it down if you don’t already have it in your notes.  Edify yourself.  The reason we need the Holy Ghost in us, praying through us, continually, is that we would be building ourselves up in the most holy faith.  “I thank God that I pray with tongues more than you all.”  I pray constantly in the Holy Spirit.  I don’t even know sometimes when I’m going on and off in my prayer, because I’m just constantly muttering.  The Holy Spirit praying through me when my natural mind is not engaged.  When I’m in the presence of God and I’ll just hear myself.  I’m sure many of you experience this, the Holy Spirit praying through you.  The Bible says this is the refreshing, praying in the Holy Ghost.  How many of you feel like, in this cruddy world we’re living in, you need refreshing now and again?  Pray in the Holy Ghost.

Paul said, “I pray with the understanding and I pray in the spirit.”  He uses the word “spirit,” praying in the spirit, distinguishing that between praying with the understanding.  Prayer that has understanding is initiated in the mind.  Prayer in the Spirit is initiated from the Holy Spirit from within our spirit.  That’s why, when people are filled with the Holy Spirit, so many have trouble allowing the Spirit to continue this.  They sense the presence, they’re aware of God, but they won’t shut their minds to stop praying with the understanding and be conscious of their spirit man and let Him pray through them; amen?  How many of you, when you’re praying in other tongues, are conscious of what’s taking place in your spirit?  You’re aware the Holy Spirit is working inside of your spirit‑being without the reasoning, rational process.  How many of you are aware of that?  You just know it (Amen?), you know where it’s coming from.  It’s not coming from here (gestures toward his head), it’s coming out of your spirit.  The Bible says it this way, “Out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” 

Paul, in this fourteenth chapter, again, talking about praying with the understanding versus praying in the Spirit.  We edify ourselves; we edify ourselves.  “I would not have you ignorant concerning these spiritual gifts,” (1 Corinthians 12:1).  I want you to understand that this is necessary for the body of Christ.  Chapter 14 gives us the insight into that, and there are two key words for Chapter 14.  As you’re reading Chapter 14, be conscious of these two words, “church” and “edify.”  They’re key words in this chapter.  I hope that you’ve taken time since Wednesday and sat down and read this fourteenth chapter through a few times.  Get familiar with what is taking place here.  The conclusion is at the very last verse of Chapter 14.  Look at it, verse 40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”