Basic HTML Version
Necessity Of Doing Our Best
197
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall
speak into the air.
“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and
none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the
meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian,
and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye,
forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel
to the edifying of the church.”
1 Corinthians 14:7-12
.
In all our religious services we should seek to conduct ourselves
in a way that will edify others, working as much as lies in our power
for the perfection 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.... 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: ye 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
an unknown tongue.”
Verses 13-19
.
[245]
The principle presented by Paul concerning the gift of tongues
is equally applicable to the use of the voice in prayer and social
meeting. We would not have anyone who is defective in this respect
cease from offering public prayer, or from bearing witness to the
power and love of Christ.
I do not write these things to silence you, for there has already
been too much silence in our meetings; but I write that you may
consecrate your voice to Him who gave you this gift, and may realize
the necessity of cultivating it so that you may edify the church by
what you say. If you have acquired the habit of speaking in a low,
indistinct way, you should regard it as a defect, and put forth earnest
efforts to overcome, that you may honor God and edify His children.