This is one of those great questions that matter of opinion does not matter the Scripture is black and white on the subject. G-d’s answer is the answer: I Corinthians 14:1-25 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]For anyone who speaks in a tongue[SUP][
a][/SUP] does not speak to people but to G-d. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
[SUP]3 [/SUP]But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[SUP][
b][/SUP]but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[SUP][
c][/SUP] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
[SUP]9 [/SUP]So 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.
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]Otherwise when you are praising G-d in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[SUP][
d][/SUP] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
[SUP]17 [/SUP]You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]I thank G-d that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”[SUP][
e][/SUP]
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
[SUP]23 [/SUP]So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
[SUP]24 [/SUP]But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
[SUP]25 [/SUP]as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship G-d, exclaiming, “G-d is really among you!”