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Using Your Special Abilities for the Church

¹ Love should be your highest achievement, but I ain't saying you shouldn't want some of these other special abilities the Holy Ghost gives—especially the gift of telling folks the truth. ² You can have the ability to speak in unknown languages, but the only one who will be able to understand you is God. It's a special ability, but only to you. No one else will know what you are saying. ³ But the fellow who is gifted with speaking God's truth does so to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others. ⁴ A cowboy speaking in tongues helps themselves, but no one else. But those who hand out God's truth, they are helping everyone.

⁵ Now, don't get me wrong. I hope all of you can speak in tongues. But what I hope for more is that you can all speak God's truth. The truth is more important than tongues unless they can interpret them also. If everyone understands and benefits, then it's good.

⁶ Listen cowboys and cowgirls, is it really doing you any good if I come and talk to you in a language you don't understand? Nope! The only good that can come from talkin' is talkin' that can be understood. ⁷ Even when a melody is played clear on the guitar, people can recognize the tune. If the notes aren't clear and orderly, then you might as well be hitting the guitar up against a wall. ⁸ If a bugler can't play the notes to attack, how will the soldiers know when to charge?

⁹ Y'all should be able to understand all this. If someone can't understand you, what's the point in opening your mouth?

¹⁰ There's a bunch of different languages out there, and every one of them has meaning. ¹¹ But if no one speaks that language, then there is no meaning. The person who doesn't understand will feel like a foreigner in a strange land or ¹² vice versa. If you're wanting a special ability, ask for those who strengthen the whole church, not just one cowboy.

¹³ If you're gonna pray for the ability to speak in tongues, pray also for the ability to interpret them. ¹⁴ Praying in tongues is your spirit praying, not your conscious mind. ¹⁵ So what's a cowboy to do? I'll pray with my soul, but pray with my mind, too. I'll sing with my spirit, but I'll sing with my mind as well. ¹⁶ You might be saying something profound in the spirit, but if no one understands you, how can they say, "Amen"? ¹⁷ You might be saying a thousand thanks to God, but not a single person will understand it. If they don't understand it, they ain't helped by your words.

¹⁸ No one talks in tongues more than me. ¹⁹ But when I'm with others, I'd rather say five things everyone can understand rather than a thousand words they can't. I can't teach if they can't understand.

²⁰ Listen, amigos. Don't get all childish on me. You can be as innocent as a newborn baby and still think like a grown man. ²¹ It's even written in the Good Book, "I'll speak strange languages with the lips of strangers. I'll try to get through to these folks, but that doesn't mean they'll listen." That's what the Lord says.

²² Speaking in tongues isn't for those in God's outfit, it is for the others. ²³ Think about what you'll look like if an outsider comes into your church and sees you going on and on like it's gibberish. They don't understand and they never will because they'll be headed for the door. ²⁴ But if they come in and hear the word of God and understand it, then they will be convicted of their sin. They will have no excuse except to know the truth or deny him. ²⁵ Their secrets will be laid bare as they fall to their knees and worship the Most High, saying, "God is truly here with us."

Worship That Helps Everyone

²⁶ Here's the problem, one fellow wants to sing a song. Another says he has a truth to reveal. Still another guy starts talking in a language only one other person can understand and he interprets it. The point to worshiping with others is so everyone benefits. When everyone benefits, then everyone grows in faith. ²⁷ If someone starts speaking in tongues, and understanding that there should always be an interpreter, only let two or three at the most have their turn. Don't everyone start praying in the spirit out loud at the same time. ²⁸ If there isn't an interpreter, there isn't speaking in tongues. Got it? They can still speak in tongues, but only to themselves.

²⁹ The same goes for preaching. Only let two or three people have a turn. That way there is time to ponder on their message and see if it lines up with scripture. ³⁰ And don't talk over each other. If someone who is sitting down has a message from the Lord, the one standing up and speaking should let the other give God's word. ³¹ Take turns. It ain't a competition between two preachers, it's for the benefit of all in attendance. Everyone should be taught and inspired while they are there. ³² Even when a prophet gets a word from the Lord, he can hold it until it's his turn. ³³ God does not create confusion when his cowboys and cowgirls gather together. His goal is peace and unity.

³⁴ Ladies shouldn't interrupt a church meeting with needless talking. If they have a question, they should ask their husbands at home.

³⁵ God's word guides the rituals and customs here, not personal want or belief.

³⁶ Do you think everything revolves around you? Are y'all the only one who received the truth? ³⁷ If you think God has a message through you or God has a mission for you to go on, pay close attention to the things I've said. ³⁸ If you go against these things, it just proves the message or mission you claim to have isn't from God. Sorry, Charlie.

³⁹ Let me say this and then I'm done. Pay attention to good preaching, and don't stop someone from praying in tongues ⁴⁰ as long as it's done the right way. And the right way is courteous, considerate, and proper.