Well this is where we begin to have a problem. Scripture does not teach public and private use of the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues.
1 Cor 14:
28) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and
let him speak to himself, and to God.
Every example of tongues in the NT is public and at the time of conversion of filling with the Holy Spirit
1 Cor 14:
18) I thank my God, I speak [present tense] with tongues more than ye all:
for those who had been saved but not prepared for service in the witness for Christ.
What does that mean, Roger?
I know you guys like to speak of praying in tongues but the apostle Paul clearly says that such prayer if it is without understanding is unfruitful.
It is unfruitful to the mind, it is not unfruitful to the person:
1 Cor 14:
2) For
he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth
him; howbeit
in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
4)
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
17)
For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
Understanding what you are praying is essential.
Not when you are speaking in tongues. When a person speaks in tongues, he does not know the language he is speaking, he does not understand what he is saying (1 Cor 14:2, 14).
We have been adopted into Gods family by Christ. We have full access to God as our heavenly Father. The OT Jews would not even write the name of God so great was their fear of Him. They were separated by the vail in the temple which Christ rent in twain for us.
True, but it has nothing to do with speaking in tongues, and the fact that God wants us to do it (1 Cor 14:5).
Time to come out of the shadows and walk in the Light of the presence of Almighty God. Pray like Christ prayed and not like the Pharisees who knew they were unworthy. We have the righteousness of Christ wherein we stand faultless before the throne.
1 Cor 14:
5) I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater
is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
15) What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Eph 6:
18)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Praying without knowledge is not like the Holy Spirit making groanings for us because we cannot speak. That is the Holy Spirit sharing our burden before the Father but we do not speak. It is better to say nothing in that case than to say something of which we have no knowledge.
1 Cor 14:
5) I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater
is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
39) Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and
forbid not to speak with tongues.