Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 1 Corinthians 14:22-25

The Apostle Paul continues to drop more truth bombs on us with his teachings. The first part of his statement is “Tongues are a sign” So , as we established, the speaking of tongues has a reason or purpose, people don’t just randomly babble for no purpose. As we talked about previously, tongues are used for evangelism and for edification within the Church. Unknown tongues are to be spoken in private while alone with God, since there is no interpreter

Paul goes on to say “Tongues are a sign for non-believers, not believers” Now I believe Paul is referring to evangelism of the gospel but also its evidence of God’s presence. Again we see a specific purpose for speaking in tongues, God has a reason for delivering this message. 

Now think about this from a non-Christians perspective, they hear a Christian speaking in tongues, and their first thought is “What is going on here”? I think that is part of the reason, God is grabbing the attention of the unsaved, God is demonstrating a supernatural gift into the natural world. So now what is the response from the non-believer? Are they going to seek this more or are they just going to blow it off as foolishness? Its a heart condition check by God

On the flipside Paul states “Prophecy is for the believer and not the non-believer” So this makes sense, if someone doesn’t believe in God they obviously are not going to be in prophecy. But it also demonstrates the importance of sharing your revelation with the rest of the Church. If God is giving you a prophecy , it needs to be shared with the Church, as it probably effects the Church. 

So just to summarize what Paul is saying towards the end of this “ If a non-Christian witnesses multiple Christians speaking in tongues, their heart condition will be checked” the KJV says “his heart made manifest” , meaning how is this non-believer going to respond to a supernatural event? Are they going to continue to deny God or as Paul says “fall down on his face and worship God”

1. Tongues is a sign of the New Covenant for non-believers
2. Tongues of prophecy are purposed for the Church
3. The response to tongues determines someone’s heart condition towards God

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:16-19

The Apostle Paul makes an important statement here “ In the Church, I had rather speak five words with my understanding, than ten thousands words in an unknown tongue” You have heard the phrase quality over quantity, Paul would rather speak only 5 words that was understandable and edifying to the Church than ten thousand words that nobody could understand

Again this goes back to why are we speaking tongues in Church? Are you trying to edify the body of Christ with a message or are you trying to puff yourself up? There has to be a reason and purpose for what your saying, God doesn’t just randomly make up words with no edification. 

As Paul says here also, and I’ll paraphrase, “How can those in the room say “Amen” and they don’t understand what you say” When the Church says Amen , they are agreeing to something being said, the Church can’t agree or they shouldn’t agree, if they don’t understand what is being proclaimed

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:20-21

It’s interesting here because the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah , there are a couple of things we can conclude from this reference.

 1. Speaking in tongues is a New Covenant practice- as Isaiah referenced , the prophets beforehand spoke in clear language to the people of Israel, yet they still rejected Gods Word, now that the Holy Spirit speaks through foreign tongues, its clear the New Covenant is for All nations and people and not just Israel

2. Speaking in tongues is a sign and confirmation of the New Covenant in Christ. Those who claim Christ is just a renewal of the Mosaic Covenant, would have to dismiss the gifts of speaking in tongues at Pentecost all together

3. Paul warns the Church to be mature in the use of speaking of tongues and not like spiritual children. Even discussing the topic of tongues we see brings a strong reaction and sometimes division among the Church. The use of tongues is a powerful gift given by the Holy Spirit, it should be used with wisdom and caution of Gods providence.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 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. 1 Corinthians 14:5-9

Our scriptures today generate some questions, does everyone speak in tongues or prophecy? Secondly, what is the purpose of you speaking in tongues or prophesying? As we talked about previously, there are various spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12, Romans 12) and we all that are Born Again, have a spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit. You may not know or understand what your spiritual gift is at this point, but I can guarantee if you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then He has given you a gift

Now the first question, what is the purpose of you speaking in tongues? God is a God of law and order (1 Cor. 14:33) God doesn’t just create random things to create confusion, there is a purpose and plan for everything He has created, including You! We know in the past that Speaking of Tongues, was instrumental to spreading the gospel very quickly. In fact that might still be the case today, as missionaries go to foreign countries , the Holy Spirit may enable them to share the gospel in their native language. 

There are many today who claim to have the gifts of speaking in tongues, what is the purpose of your gift? Are you using it for the body of Christ to edify or spread the gospel? And what about unknown tongues? What is Gods plan and purpose for this gift? I’m not going to claim to have all the answers, in fact to be honest, speaking in tongues is very mysterious to me. I do believe they are real, because the Word of God says they are real, but I don’t fully understand everything about it

As the Apostle Paul says here “What shall I profit or benefit you” How are these gift going to enhance the Kingdom of God or edify the Body of Christ? That should be the question if you are speaking in tongues or if someone in your Church is also. We know there are some false prophets who fake speaking in tongues to gather attention or to try and demonstrate a greater spiritual authority, but what are they accomplishing? Has anything been edified since they have spoken? Has the gospel been increased?

The Apostle Paul also says here “except you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken”? Again what is the purpose of what is being spoken, if its now understood by anyone? Is this to glorify God or to glorify yourself?

Many false prophets have abused the gifts of the Holy Spirit, lets make sure we are worshiping God in Spirit and Truth, Amen!

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.  1 Corinthians 14:1-4

 I love how Paul begins this teaching here , he says “Follow after Love and Desire Spiritual Gifts” When it comes to the controversy of Spiritual Gifts, it almost seems like some Christians don’t want any spiritual gifts! As we talked about previously the Holy Spirit is continually active in every believer’s life. You can’t be saved without the Holy Spirit, you can’t be Born Again without the Holy Spirit, you can’t confess Jesus Christ is Lord without the Holy Spirit.

So when it comes to the topic of spiritual gifts, I don’t understand why it would be hard to believe that some Christians can speak in unknown tongues or still make prophecies. I think the KJV translation brings a little more clarity to this teaching as it states “For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to man but to God” Now I think this clarifies things here a little bit, because the word “tongues” basically just means languages. So to speak in tongues basically just means to prophecy in a different language. Now this is effective if there is a Christian there who can interpret the prophecy in their own language. This is precisely how the gospel message got spread to the entire world so rapidly

So in my opinion , there is nothing “strange fire” about people speaking in “tongues” if its an actual language, Paul goes on to say there are some tongues that are unknown to people speaking to God. Now the problem with our modern day Christianity is we have alot of false prophets who fake speaking in tongues. We have all seen and experienced this probably at one point in our Christian walk, however that doesn’t mean that everyone who speaks in an unknown tongue is false, because Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said it would happen. 

It’s like the gift of healing, I believe God still heals today, even though they are many false prophets who perform fake healings. Does that mean all healings are not valid, of course not. This is the same with tongues and prophecy, just because some people abuse the Holy Spirit, doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit isn’t still alive and working today. 

The Apostle Paul says “He that prophecies speak unto men for edification” Now again , because the cannon of the Bible is closed, many believe prophecy is over. Why? The purpose of prophecy is not just to foretell the future but as Paul says here for edification. When you look at the original Greek word for Prophecy “prophēteuōn” it also means to “speak under inspiration” or “divine” Just because you are “prophesying” doesn’t mean you are adding to the revelation of God, it’s just guidance from God in our daily lives

Going back to Paul’s original statement “Desire Spiritual Gifts”, do you desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit or are you quenching the Holy Spirit? Sometimes we need to step out of our box of theological understanding and trust the Holy Spirit , Amen!