Speaking with Understanding
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:13-19
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Speaking with Understanding
St. Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding in worship, both for the speaker and the hearer. Speaking in tongues, though a gift, is of little value if it does not build up the Church. Our prayers and worship must be intelligible so that others can say “Amen” and be edified. This points us to the cross, where Christ communicated His love in the clearest terms possible by dying for us. He spoke no empty words, but through His sacrifice, He delivered the ultimate message of salvation. As we seek to build up one another, let us focus on words that proclaim Christ crucified, for through Him, God’s love is made known to all. May our worship, like the cross, clearly point to Christ and His saving work. Let us speak and worship with understanding, that others may be edified in Christ.
1 Corinthians 14:13-19
+
Speaking with Understanding
St. Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding in worship, both for the speaker and the hearer. Speaking in tongues, though a gift, is of little value if it does not build up the Church. Our prayers and worship must be intelligible so that others can say “Amen” and be edified. This points us to the cross, where Christ communicated His love in the clearest terms possible by dying for us. He spoke no empty words, but through His sacrifice, He delivered the ultimate message of salvation. As we seek to build up one another, let us focus on words that proclaim Christ crucified, for through Him, God’s love is made known to all. May our worship, like the cross, clearly point to Christ and His saving work. Let us speak and worship with understanding, that others may be edified in Christ.
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