Paul cared about clarity in gospel teaching.
Church members in Corinth were fascinated by the gift of tongues. Surely they had heard the story of Peter and the other apostles speaking in different languages in Jerusalem on the day of Pentacost (Acts 2:4). They may have wanted to enjoy a similar outpouring of the Spirit.
But part of the miracle in Jerusalem was that the audience understood the speakers. People from many different cultures marveled, “How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:8). In contrast, the Corinthians were speaking in tongues which no one in the room could understand. Paul asked how the congregation could say, “Amen,” when they didn’t even know what was said? (See (1 Corinthians 14:16.) He told them he’d rather say 5 words that people really understand than ten thousand words that they don’t. (See 1 Corinthians 14:19.) And he shared with them his own commitment to clarity in these words:
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.
1 Corinthians 14:15
Passion can be inspiring, but it is insufficient. It’s wonderful to share dramatic experiences, but it’s more important to clearly explain true principles which people can apply to real problems. We feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but we also listen to and learn from Him.
After quoting thirteen chapters from the book of Isaiah, Nephi lamented that his people had a hard time understanding those words. He said, “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). He later testified, “After this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding”(2 Nephi 31:3).
We speak to people “according to their language” when we use words they understand and examples they can relate to. We look for ways to build upon truths they already know and to connect new truths with their experience.
Today, I will share the gospel “with the spirit” and “with the understanding also.” I will express my enthusiasm and commitment, and I will strive to communicate in a way that’s clear and relatable to my listeners.
Thank you for the insight. It’s an important principle to remember when teaching in a church setting. It will help members and friends participate and learn despite varying levels of understanding and discipleship.
Thanks for the comment! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Great post. I appreciated the comparing and contrasting of the topics of understanding and the spirit. For fun, I will elaborate a little bit more on the subject of truth. One aspect of the greatest attribute, charity, is “rejoic[ing] in truth” (Moroni 7:45).
From my observations, some people often tend to focus on emotionally charged topics and situations. Others don’t. But for the listeners and people who do, however, it may be easier for them to believe in false information because of enthusiasm, zeal, emotion, and/or a dramatic conversation tone and topic. On the other hand, combining that excitement for a subject with truth, love, and Christlike characteristics is a much better combination. It’s just like you mentioned how, “passion can be inspiring, but it is insufficient.”
I am grateful that God has blessed humankind with the gift of agency, and with that we can choose to seek out truth by understanding and by the spirit. I am also grateful for these true words found in another testament of Jesus Christ that, “..the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls (Jacob 4:13).” From building upon this scripture, having faith, and other truths, I can conclude that when I ask for God to teach me, He can show me truth through the Spirit. This knowledge has given me a better connection with God, and I am happier when I learn and am reminded of certain truths.
Thanks for those thoughts. Well said!