Tongues vs. Prophesy

1 Cor. 14:1-25

Paul was teaching a valuable lesson for the early church, Many people were seeking to speak in tongues, but to what end? If someone spoke in tongues, no one understood, but if someone prophesied, then all were edified because all listening understood. Believers should strive to excel in building up the church. Even though Paul spoke frequently in tongues, he would rather speak 5 words with his mind so that others wold be instructed. Paul urged the believers not to be infants in their thinking, but to be mature, to choose what would be instructive and edifying for the church. Tongues were a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophesy was a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

God used tongues to bring people into the early church, but not to be part of the established worship of the church. But the practice was hanging on. He explained that if an outsider or unbeliever visited the church and witnessed tongues, they would think the believers were out of their minds. But if they visited and heard prophecy, or the word of God, they would be convicted and called into account. The secrets of the heart would be disclosed, and so falling on their face, they would worship God. All this would declare that God was among them.  The same goes for us today. What should be in our churches should bring others to worship God. It should lead all to worship. Speaking with the mind and engaging the mind is essential. 

Father,

Help my life to be one that is full of worship and one that leads others to you as well. 

In Jesus name,

Amen