Go! And Speak Clearly: Make Your Faith Understood - 1 Corinthians 14:9 Series

Go! And... Speak Clearly: Make Your Faith Understood - 1 Corinthians 14:9

1 Corinthians 14:9 (NLT) – “So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You might be speaking into the air.”

Introduction:

Today, I want to speak to you about the power of clarity in our witness for Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, addresses a very practical but profound issue: communication. Not just any communication, but communication that points people to God.

Let me begin with a story: Imagine you are at an airport, trying to find your gate. You hear an announcement, but it’s garbled, and you cannot make sense of the words. Confused, you wander, unsure where to go. That is what it’s like when we, as Christians, speak of Jesus in ways that are unclear or confusing. People cannot be saved if they cannot understand the message of hope, grace, and salvation. Today, God is calling us to speak intelligibly about Him.

1 Corinthians 14:9 (NLT): “So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You might be speaking into the air.”

Here, Paul is speaking about the gift of tongues, prophecy, and how Christians should edify the church. But the principle extends far beyond Corinth: our speech—our testimony, our words about Jesus—must be clear, understandable, and anchored in the truth of the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 14 is a chapter devoted to order, edification, and understanding in worship. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city with a wide array of philosophies, languages, and religious practices. Many believers were gifted in speaking in tongues, but Paul reminds them that if no one can understand, the gift serves no purpose. The Greek word “noeo” (to understand, to perceive) emphasizes rational comprehension. God desires that His truth reaches the mind, not just the emotion.

Paul’s principle is timeless: God calls us to communicate the Gospel clearly, so people can respond to Jesus Christ. When we speak with unintelligible words—spiritual jargon, clichés, or assumptions—we risk “speaking into the air,” a message that floats but has no impact.

Romans 10:14–15 (NLT): “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’”

Here, Paul underscores that salvation depends on clear proclamation. Belief begins with hearing, and hearing begins with someone making the message understandable. If we muddle the Gospel, people will never respond.

Max Lucado wrote: “God has given us words to build bridges, not walls, between hearts and heaven.” Beloved, clarity in our speech is not optional—it is a divine mandate.

Colossians 4:6 (NLT): “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

Grace-filled communication means speaking so people can receive the message. It’s not just about intellect; it’s about love.

R.T. Kendall reminds us: “The simplest words can move the hardest heart if they are spoken with the authority of God and the love of Christ.” We are God’s messengers; our words carry eternal weight.

Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT): “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This Great Commission reminds us that going and making disciples requires communication that is clear and actionable. Jesus’ instructions were simple, yet profound. Speaking clearly is not merely about words—it is about ensuring the message points to Him.

John Piper wrote: “Missions exists because worship does not. People who do not know Christ cannot glorify God. Our speech must lead them to Him.”

Life Application for the Modern Believer:

Pray for clarity: Before sharing, ask God to give you words that are simple, truthful, and Spirit-filled.

Avoid jargon: Terms like “born again” or “sanctification” may confuse those unfamiliar with Christianity. Use everyday language.

Tell your story: Personal testimony is often the most understandable way to convey God’s grace. Share what Jesus has done in your life with simple words.

A missionary in Africa shared the Gospel with a village where English was limited. Instead of quoting complex theology, he described how Jesus healed his own heart, and villagers responded with joy. God honours clear testimony.

Acts 8:30–31 (NLT): “Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”