6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7-8 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

9-11 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space. There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true for you. 12 Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

13-14 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. 15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17-18 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. 19 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 14:6-19 New Living Translation (English Standard Version link)

What do you want when you go to Church? Is it only to get something out of it – or do you want to put something into it too, even just by being there? That's what Paul wanted the Christians at Corinth to think about regarding the gift of speaking in another language. That's clearly seen in vs 6 and vs 9-11. He then illustrates it with the example of flutes and bugles being played by someone who doesn't know music! (vs 7-8) So what principle should guide everything we do at our Church meetings? (vs 12)

We should long to see everyone being helped by what is said and done so that the whole congregation benefits and the faith of each one grows stronger. We shouldn't just look for a personal 'spiritual high' such as in vs 16-18. But this also leads to another important truth about Church and worship. What word does Paul use five times in vs 13-16 (and again in vs 19) and what is the significance of that?

He pointed out the importance of our minds being active in our worship! We are to make full use of our understanding when we worship God and listen to His word being taught. The meeting should not be a case of everyone doing there own thing in unintelligible ecstasy. Verse 15 also presents a challenge. He speaks of worshipping the Lord with mind and in the spirit!

Does that describe our life? Do we put heart and soul into our prayers and praise? Do we make the effort to concentrate and pay attention to what is being said? It's so easy to switch off and for our minds to drift elsewhere. I write as one who is guilty of that. This can also happen if we feel some aspect of Church is not being done 'in the proper way'. It's good then to remember what Jesus said to a woman who asked him about the 'proper place' to worship. Jesus said: “True worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24. Truth requires our mind to be active - and we need God's Spirit to make that truth alive in our heart.