1st.Corinthians 14:12-20 "Even, so, ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then ? I will pray with the SPIRIT, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the SPIRIT, and I will sing with the understanding also.
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 and unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
Prayer must be not only sincere but also sensible, that is, "easily perceived; it makes good sense." The one praying understands what he is saying; he is specific. Whatever our particular need might be, whatever is causing us concern, we must articulate that burden to our heavenly FATHER: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto GOD" (Philippians 4:6 pictured at top of post). Cast your cares upon the LORD (1st.Peter 5:7 pictured above). Too often we fill our prayers with pious phraseology and religious rhetoric that mean little to us and even less to GOD. Make sense; express what is on your heart. Speak to the LORD what you understand from HIS WORD -- what you know is needful and right.
Prayer is a sensible, knowledgeable communication from the heart. The Scriptures never speak of unintelligible worship or praise or of any edification that is apart from understood truth. This is important in light of the current charismatic heresy of praying in tongues in which only senseless, silly gibberish is vocalized. The one praying in tongues in today's text was giving thanks, not uttering meaningless sounds (vv.16-19). His understanding was "unfruitful" (v.14 pictured above) not with respect to his own understanding (he was edified; he "givest thanks well," v.17), but his prayer was unfruitful with regard to the rest of the church because they did not understand what was being said by the one speaking in tongues since no one was interpreting (vv.5-6, 16-17). The nonsensical "prayer language" claimed by many today in which they have no idea what is being said has no biblical precedent or defense. True prayer is always sensible. DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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