The Scriptural Yardstick

1 Corinthians 14:12 – Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Habakkuk 2:2 – Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.”

I. THE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED — COMPREHENSION

1 Corinthians 14:13 – Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

1) The Message is Released, But Not Received.

1 Corinthians 14:5 – I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may RECEIVE edification.

2) The Message is Spoken, But Not Understood.

1 Corinthians 14:9 – So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

3) The Message is Claimed, But Not Tested

1 Peter 1:20-21 – 20knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Mark 7:9-13 – 9He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

4) The Message is Hidden, But Not Accountable.

1 Corinthians 14:27 – If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:29 – Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

Deuteronomy 19:15 – One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

II. THE SOLUTION – INTERPRETATION

1 Corinthians 14:13 – Therefore, let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

• Interpretation Does Two Things:

1. It makes the message understandable so the church can receive it.

2. It makes the message available for the church to act on it.

• Interpretation Provides Protection:

1. It takes what was inaccessible and makes it testable.

2. It brings the Messenger into the realm of accountability.

John 3:21 – But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

GOVERNING PRINCIPLE: The Scriptural Measuring Stick – “Let It Be for the Edification of the Church.”