The gift of speaking in tongues is a controversial one in the Christian Church—just as it was in Paul’s day. There are people and denominations who declare that there is no such things as speaking in tongues. Many Pentecostal congregations teach that you aren’t really a Christian until you are able to speak in tongues. Congregations have been divided when some members received the gift of tongues while others do not. Paul made note that those who speak in tongues do so to build up themselves. Some people who speak in tongues think that it demonstrates that they are more holy or righteous than others. A few Christians even use their gift as proof that God, the Bible and “all things Christian” are true. Even though he cautions us about the use of tongues, Paul still states that he wishes everyone would speak in tongues.

There’s a better gift than speaking in tongues, Paul proclaims. It is the gift of prophecy. Prophecy is not the ability to forecast future events. The gift of prophecy is the gift to speak God’s work, or to be a spokesperson for God. Such a gift is better than the gift of tongues because it is used to build up the body of Christ and spread the gospel message. We have read this theme before: Strive to serve rather than be served and don’t concentrate on being strengthened in your faith, but rather focus on building up the body of Christ and on sharing the good news with others.

It is all too tempting to turn all of our attention on our own little Christian self-improvement course. Paul reminds those early Christians and us that is not where growth happens. As he writes, “Since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12). Leaving our wants, desires, needs, problems and fears behind we turn our attention to others, become aware of their needs and act to meet those needs. When we do this, watch what happens.

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church. Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive.

What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also. Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying? For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; rather, be infants in evil, but in thinking be adults.

In the law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people; yet even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord. Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all. After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, “God is really among you.”