1 Corinthians 14:7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
Even lifeless things that make sound, whether pipe or harp, must give a distinction in their sounds, for otherwise no one can know what tune is being piped or harped. Music from such instruments can be recognized only when its notes are distinct and clearly different from one another, since without clear differences listeners cannot tell what is being played. As with music, speech and teaching must give a clear, distinct, intelligible sound in order to communicate and benefit hearers. Words that are low or indistinct do not communicate clearly or edify others, so testimony, prayer, and speech in worship should be clear and understandable for others to receive and benefit from. Worship should be intelligible and orderly rather than confused noise where no clear meaning can be told, as when people pray aloud together each saying something different so that it is impossible to tell what is being expressed.
Unintelligible tongues profit nothing and edify only the speaker, while prophesying with revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine with interpretation edifies the church. Unintelligible gibberish is not a genuine gift from God. Noisy excitement and false tongues are not evidence of faith, and their fruit is not good. Fanatical excitement with tumult, shouting, jumping, dancing, falling to the floor as if in vision, and confused suppositions is thereby exposed as not prompted by the Holy Spirit, belonging to religious meetings filled with noise and confusion where no clear meaning can be told. Such unintelligible demonstrations belong with the false claim that body, soul, and spirit are already made holy, that purified flesh cannot sin, and that believers while still on earth are ready for translation.
Maturity in understanding is called for rather than childishness. What is called for is an intelligent heart reception of the gospel in which the receiver stands, keeps in memory what was preached, holds fast the Word of life, and practices the truth in every respect while perseveringly communicating the knowledge received to others. The alternative is believing in vain and staking eternity on deception.