I will admit that I am a private person and keep to myself a good amount as opposed to putting everything in my life out there for everyone to see and be a part of. I pray privately and when I praise God, I also do so privately. I have to change that.
“14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?” — 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 (ESV)
I see in the above verses and read in the passage about speaking in tongues and prophesying. The act of speaking in tongues is for those that understand to be able to hear. When the word of God is meant to be heard by unbelievers, there is the need to think it through and subsequently speak so that others will understand and be able to hear. Further into this passage, Paul writes:
“19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” — 1 Corinthians 14:19 (ESV)
It is important to remember who it is that is hearing the word of God and in such to ensure that the method of delivery is meant for that audience.
The same holds true with praise for the LORD. Where the relationship I have with Him is private and between He and me, I have to remember that I am also here to spread the gospel and good news of the LORD to those that I come in contact. I have to praise the LORD so that others will benefit from the knowing why I place my trust in Him. I have to be more public with my praise for Him. I have to be overt and simplified in my praise. I have to ensure that those watching, know where I find my strength.
I have written in the margin of my ESV Bible around this passage the following: “We should worship God as we see fit, although we should let others know so as to build them up as we are instructed to do.” I have to remember it is not about me but the LORD and bringing the gospel to the world. I have to build others up and the way to do that is to be public with my praise for the LORD. I have to make my praise to/for Him something that others will certainly benefit from.
What does your praise look like? Are you private or thinking of yourself and your individual relationship with the LORD? What if you went public for the benefit of others and made sure that you shared your praise of the LORD with those you are in contact?
Trevor's Thoughts 