Good morning people who speak words to God and words to people

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 NIV I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Paul spoke in tongues more than anyone and he was considered the greatest apostle. Is there a connection here?

It’s important to remember that praying in the personal prayer language of tongues is praying spirit to Spirit, not mind to Spirit. It opens our spirit to the things of the Spirit. It lifts us from the natural to the supernatural, from the temporary to the eternal.

Yet Paul highlighted the difference between when he was alone to when he was with other Believers. With others, he wanted to instruct them and empower them to grow in their intimacy with God. He couldn’t do this if they didn’t understand what he was saying. This is not about natural understanding. It is about speaking kingdom realities in a language that can be heard by others. Upon hearing, the Holy Spirit can bring revelation to individuals.

I believe that the frequency of Paul’s praying in tongues (an unknown spiritual language) gave him greater revelation and clarity to speak to people (in a known natural language).

When we are alone, let’s speak in our wonderful, heavenly prayer language of tongues as much as possible – there is power in this.

When we are with others, let’s speak in a way that empowers the listener to hear what God is saying to them – there is power in this too.