To speak or to pray to God without understanding is not a Christian endeavor. There is no edification without understanding. The Holy Spirit ministers understanding to us when we are troubled that we might be comforted and have the peace that God provides.
1 Corinthians 14 the first 24 verses makes this abundantly clear.
1 Cor 14:6 ¶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
This is the thing that happens to a lot of people when they are reading the bible (misinterpreting what's being said) You MUST look at the context, who's being talked to, and what the surrounding message is of what's being spoken in that Book of the Bible.
1 Corinthians (who's Paul addressing?) Paul’s purpose in writing this letter to the church in Corinth was to address and correct the immorality and divisions that had arisen among them. The first letter to the Corinthians revolves around the theme of problems conducted in christian conduct in the church. It thus has to do with progressive sanctification, the continuing development of holy character. Obviously Paul was concerned with the Corinthians problems.
We can all pin-point and grab pieces of scripture and make it what we want, is that going to reveal the TRUTH to you? No, of course not, you have to read scripture in it's entirety.
Here is ALL of 1 Corinthians 14
1Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?
8Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
12It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
13Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
16Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
17You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21It is written in the Law:
“By strange tongues
and foreign lips
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to Me,
says the Lord.”
22Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
25and the secrets of his heart will be revealed. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
28But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
30And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should hold his peace.
31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
32The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints,
34women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
36Did God’s word originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
38But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
Paul NEVER said NOT to speak in tongues, instead he said " I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all". He was always speaking in tongues, however, He also makes it clear that in a church setting, tongues does nothing for other people around you if not interpreted. When we speak in the spirit it is the holy spirit praying for us when we don't know what to pray for and what to pray about, it's a heavenly language that only God knows, and unless you have the gift of interpretation you won't know what's being said. God's working through us and praying perfect prayers for us, not only for now but for what's to come ( future things we won't know to pray for). It surely is a GIFT! And a Powerful one! Again, Paul is talking to a church that needed guidance on how to act and conduct themselves in church, as the church we all have our part and make up one body, the body of Christ (each having our own gifts). It is better in church to speak in your native tongue than to speak in tongues because of the lack of understanding, it will not uplift and encourage those around you. Paul spoke is tongues all of the time expect when he was with other's that could not benefit from it.
Lol, how odd would it be if Paul was just speaking in tongues while in a church group meeting or discussion? Even though it is holy and important it isn't appropriate for that time and place unless an interpreter is present so that they all may be blessed.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4
1Earnestly pursue love and
eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
Conclusion, is this a gift we should be using? Yes. Is it appropriate when conversing with other Christians? No, because they don't understand what were saying. Keep it between you and God unless you feel lead, so that we can encourage one another with our words that we all understand
Unless interpreting speaking in the holy spirit.
You said there is not edification without understanding, when CLEARLY in 1 Corinthians 14:4 says " The one who speaks in tongues edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church."
