1 Corinthians 14:6

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

The best teachers are able to convey a message clearly and succinctly to their students. Today, golf instructors have technology not contemplated 10 years ago much less 70 or 80 years ago. They utilize launch monitors and computer data to ascertain the golfer‘s club head speed, club path, attack angle and launch angle of the ball upon contact. This data is used to determine the golfers tendencies and to formulate a golf swing which generates the most consistent and effective path to hitting the ball. Interestingly, however, the average handicap of amateur golfers has not improved drastically in decades despite these technological advances. In the scripture quoted above, Paul instructed the church at Corinth regarding its intrigue with the ability to speak in tongues. He flatly asked them “what benefit is it if I speak to you in a language or manner in which you do not understand?” Later on in verse 12, he stated, “even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” If golf language this verse translates, “you are trying to hit high draws, when you should just be focusing on making solid contact.” Similarly today, we need to be focusing on the edifying of the church rather than using eloquent words speaking a confusing doctrine. What good does it do if the congregation does not understand the words spoken or the complex interpretation of the seven horses of judgment in Revelation? Many of our churches are full of either young converts or old converts who have not matured in knowledge or doctrine. Further in verse 19, Paul told them he would rather speak five understood words to the church in his language than ten thousand in an unknown tongue. Let us have a desire to teach the gospel to those us around in a simplistic language which edifies the church and Christ. Thankfully, I was saved at a time when salvation was only grace by faith in Jesus Christ!