Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
3 sermons cite this verse
… he wrote a paragraph about it. 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verses 13 through 16. Now, I changed Bible translations on you because this one makes it a little easier to understand. I'm reading from the message. Okay, this is Paul. Paul said, so when you pray in your private prayer language, that means tongue. in your spiritual tongue when you pray in your private prayer language don't hoard the experience for yourself pray for the insight and the ability to bring others into that intimacy if i pray in tongues my spirit prays but my mind lies fallow in other words i'm not using my brain to do this. My spirit is doing that. It's kind of like my brain is being circumvented. And all that intelligence is wasted. So what's the solution? The answer is simple enough. Do both. I should be spiritually free and expressive as I pray, but I should also be thoughtful and mindful as I pray. So the apostle enjoyed two types of prayer, praying with the spirit and praying with the mind. …
… It's seeking gifts to bless and not boast. Therefore, he says, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. Paul is saying, even for the one who's speaking in the tongue, it's better for them if they know what they're saying. Otherwise, it's just giving you a tingly feeling and not building up your mind. So as for me, Paul says, I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also at the same time. In other words, I'm not just gonna pray in tongues. I'm gonna pray with my mind. I don't wanna just feel close to God. I wanna be reminded of the truths that make me close to God. Verse 18, Paul says, I thank God, but I speak in tongues more than all of you. All Paul is saying there is for the record, I got you all beat. When I'm not writing the Bible, I'm taking trips up to the third heaven, shaking cobras off my arm and bringing people back from the dead with my hanky. …
… He says, for this reason, 1 Corinthians 14, 13, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what they say. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 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 otherwise when you are praising god in the spirit how can someone else who is now put in the position of inquire say amen to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying. You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you, but in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than 10,000 words in a tongue. Okay, I mean, first of all, just in verse 14, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. …