1 Cor 14:
5) I would that ye all spake with tongues....
It should be clear that God wants you to speak in tongues. (1)
How do you think "If the Spirit intends for me to speak in tongues, I will do so"? How do you think you will do so? It will just "happen"? How? Do you believe that God will possess you?
Speaking in tongues is not "babbling". It is you speaking a language you do not know. You move your mouth, utilize your vocal cords. The words come from God. (2)
It is absolutely not true that if you do not speak in tongues you do not have the Holy Spirit.
THAT you speak is indeed up to you.
WHAT you speak is up to God. (3)
5) I would that ye all spake with tongues....
It should be clear that God wants you to speak in tongues. (1)
How do you think "If the Spirit intends for me to speak in tongues, I will do so"? How do you think you will do so? It will just "happen"? How? Do you believe that God will possess you?
Speaking in tongues is not "babbling". It is you speaking a language you do not know. You move your mouth, utilize your vocal cords. The words come from God. (2)
It is absolutely not true that if you do not speak in tongues you do not have the Holy Spirit.
THAT you speak is indeed up to you.
WHAT you speak is up to God. (3)
(1) But, not everyone DOES. Paul says this, plainly. It's like saying, "I would that you all could program a computer..." but not everyone has the ability... even with diligent longing and study.
(2) There is NO scriptural evidence that tongues are to be "accessed" or "activated" in that way. If I open my mouth and start babbling, it is simply that. Babbling. I would know if the Spirit was giving me "words" to say.
(3) Sorry, brother.... I disagree completely. I have seen no scriptural indication that IF I begin speaking in tongues, it is totally up to me. If the Spirit decides to grant me the ability to speak in tongues, I imagine I would have the ability to do it or not, but I don't have the ability to "manifest" tongues any more than I have the ability to manifest healing someone's cancer...