Corinthians 14:15-19 - Power Through Words (Bible Journal)

"[15] Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. [16] For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? [17] You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. [18] I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. [19] But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language (1 Corinthians 14:15-19 NLT‬)."

There can be awe inspiring power in observing the process of someone speaking in tongues, but without a translation in understandable language, the words themselves aren't going to help anyone that isn't following what is being communicated. Words that we can understand and use to interact with others have incredible power when it comes to passing on a message, including messages God wants us to hear. Paul's point of preferring "five understandable words" was in contrast to just speaking in tongues, but even when it comes to many words in an understandable language, just a few can sometimes be enough to be life changing. This week I want to work on paying attention to the words God is passing on through those He has entrusted with them. By doing this I seek to not only learn more about God, but also grow closer to Him. Whether the words are many that come from a lengthy podcast, or a quick quote from a short devotional, God's power can shine through, and I want to soak them in.