Paul demystified speaking in tongues
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Some Corinthian church members considered speaking in tongues as the highest spirituality. They prayed , sang and praised God in tongue at church meeting. Nobody could understand what was that. Some people still do this today.
Paul was not against speaking in tongues, it is a way talking to God, it is by the power of spirit, and the person who speaks can be strengthened personally. He wrote in Romans,"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”(Romans 8:26 NLT)
But Paul demystify speaking tongue. It must be understandable, it must be able to help other people. He said, there are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. Anybody who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. And if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
For Paul himself , he spoke in tongues also, and perhaps more than any of those Corinthians, but in a church meeting, he would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.
Bible verses,
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NLT
