Praying in TONGUES: Praying with CIRCUMCISED Lips - Exodus 6:12, 30; Romans 2:28-30

In the Old Testament, physical circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and His people, marking them as set apart for His purposes. This outward act symbolized a covenant agreement between a Jew and God.

Furthermore, in Exodus 6:12 and 6:30 highlight Moses’ concern about his “uncircumcised lips,” a metaphor he uses to describe his inadequacy in speech. Despite his apprehension, God assures Moses that He will deliver His people through him. In the New Testament, the principle of circumcision takes on a profoundly spiritual dimension. Romans 2:28-30 reveals that true circumcision is not outward and physical but inward, of the heart, by the Spirit. This shift from the physical to the spiritual underpins the transformative power of praying in tongues as believers today operate from a circumcised spirit in Christ.

When we pray in tongues, we engage in a divine activity that originates from our circumcised spirit. Our spirit, regenerated and sealed in Christ, flows with the thoughts and wisdom of God. This connection ensures that our lips are also “circumcised”—set apart and empowered for God’s purposes. Just as physical circumcision identified God’s people under the old covenant, speaking in tongues serves as a seal of the new covenant. Ephesians 1:13 confirms that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, marking us as God’s possession. Tongues, as an outward manifestation of this sealing, testify to the inner transformation of our hearts and spirits.

The correlation between circumcised lips and tongues reveals profound spiritual truths. In 1 Samuel 17, David’s confrontation with Goliath demonstrates the authority that comes with covenant relationship. David’s confidence stemmed from his identity as a circumcised man—a member of God’s covenant—in contrast to the uncircumcised Philistine who defied the armies of the living God. David’s victory over Goliath was not merely physical but spiritual, signifying the power of covenant to overcome opposition.

Similarly, praying in tongues is a powerful tool for spiritual warfare. When we speak in tongues, we are not using ordinary words but divine utterances from a circumcised spirit. These words bypass our human limitations, aligning us with God’s perfect will (Romans 8:26-27). Our circumcised lips become instruments of victory, declaring God’s purposes and dismantling spiritual strongholds. Just as David’s circumcision gave him authority over Goliath, our circumcised spirit and lips grant us authority over spiritual giants.

The act of speaking in tongues also serves as a reminder of our new identity in Christ. Under the old covenant, circumcision was an irreversible mark, symbolizing a permanent relationship with God. Likewise, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying gift of tongues signify our eternal connection to God through Christ. Every time we pray in tongues, we affirm this covenant, declaring that we are set apart, empowered, and equipped for His purposes.

Moreover, tongues play a vital role in building up our faith and renewing our minds. Jude 20 exhorts us to build ourselves up in our most holy faith by praying in the Spirit. This activity strengthens our inner man, aligning our thoughts and emotions with God’s wisdom. As we interpret our prayers in tongues, we gain insight into God’s will, enabling us to act with clarity and authority. This process mirrors the spiritual circumcision described in Romans 2:29, where the heart is transformed by the Spirit’s work.

The connection between circumcised lips and tongues also highlights the importance of purity in speech. In Isaiah 6, the prophet’s lips are cleansed with a coal from the altar, preparing him to speak God’s words. In the new covenant, this purification is achieved through the circumcision of the heart and spirit. Our lips, consecrated through the Holy Spirit, become vessels for God’s words, releasing His power and authority.

In conclusion, praying in tongues is a profound expression of our new covenant identity. Just as physical circumcision marked God’s people in the Old Testament, tongues serve as a spiritual seal, signifying our circumcised spirit in Christ. This practice equips us for spiritual warfare, enabling us to overcome giants in our lives with the authority of circumcised lips. As we pray in the Spirit, we align ourselves with God’s will, building our faith, renewing our minds, and declaring His purposes. Like David, we can face any Goliath with confidence, knowing that our covenant with God ensures victory. Let us embrace the power of tongues, using our circumcised lips to release God’s thoughts and triumph over every obstacle.

Website: https://byronmills.com

Substack: https://byronmills.substack.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byronmillsministries

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@byronmills

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/byronzmills