1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue
does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you
unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 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? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 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. 10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 1 Corinthians 14:1-10
- For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God...
This for personal prayer time, as you spend time with Him, you have a gift that enables you to transcend an earthly language so that you can speak and pray in a heavenly language directly to God, in ways that are beyond human understanding.
- He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...
Praying in tongues also edifies and develops your inner man so that you are more spiritually in tune with the Spirit of God. For me personally, I have experienced a greater sensitivity to the Spirits leading because of praying in the Spirit in this manner.
- But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
Paul does not necessarily discourage speaking in tongues in a church setting, just that
out from it, there would be something the body can understand, such as a prophesy, revelation, teaching or some knowledge that can be understood by all.
JLB