I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NKJV
A lot of folks try to use this passage to prove that we’re not supposed to speak in tongues in church. That is not at all what Paul is teaching. He is simply making the point that if folks can’t understand what’s going on it won’t help them. God wants sus to be sure that people understand what He is saying. If I have a tongue in the service, it needs to be interpreted so others can understand. If it’s a situation where I’m joining in group prayer or worship where many are praying in tongues together, then it’s not a tongue for the general public. Paul tells us that we can speak to ourselves and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:28)
What this verse does tell us is that Paul is speaking in tongues a lot. He is doing it somewhere besides in the church. He apparently uses his prayer language in his own private prayer time. That’s what I want to encourage you about today. Start being intentional in praying in tongues when you’re alone. I sometimes pray in tongues for hours while I’m driving. My dog gets to hear me pray in the Spirit as we walk every single morning. My own time in prayer in my office is probably 80% in tongues. I’m not smart enough to know everything that needs prayer, or even how to pray if I did know, but God does.
Before you go to church today, pray in the Holy Spirit. Get built up. (1 Cor 14:4). Pray for things you don’t know about (1 Cor 14:2) Keep yourself tuned in to the love of God (Jude 20,21). You might be surprised at how much better the service will be if you’re spiritually tuned up before you get there.
pastorvirgil.com 