09.04.2015 New Testament: 1Co 14.7–9

To read the Bible in a year, read First Corinthians 14.1–20 on September 4, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Some people want to impress you with their intelligence, and it shows by how they speak, but in the church we do not want to impress people with what we know, but we want them to know the truth. That requires speaking that they may understand,

Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air (1 Corinthians 14.7–9). 

Paul spoke those words in a context of miraculous-tongue speaking, but the principle applies to all situations. If we speak, and no one knows what we just said, what good have we done? Therefore, consider your audience and so speak that they can understand you.