My mother said to the young me, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I do not remember what I was always saying that wasn’t nice. Perhaps, she just wanted me to stop talking and let my siblings say something for a change. I do tend to babble on, and what could a young boy say that would be of interest to a working mother with four children and one more on the way?
The Spirit through Apostle Paul says, “If you do not bring some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction from God that is understandable, then you should stop speaking in front of the congregation.” (6) “You are ‘speaking into the air’. Sit down, be quiet, and let others speak who will say intelligible words.” (9-11)
Perhaps a parallel exists between the young me, my working mother, the Corinthian congregation, and those who would speak before it. I have been to congregational meetings that ended with people yelling babbles, shouting against the devil, stomping their feet, and making more commotion than any other event I have personally witnessed, all in the name of being led by the Spirit. Their justification for the chaos conflicts with Paul’s parallels to organized musical pieces and an army’s trumpet call in verses 7 and 8. (Numbers 10:9; Joshua 6:4, 9) As the organized and recognizable notes convey a clear tune and message, so should the proceedings in a congregation’s meetings.
I can apply this principle to my life. Am I conveying a clear message about Christ and living his truth in my tune? What would those I trust say: my spouse, parents, children, friends, fellow perishers, and perhaps even my coworkers? Am I a chaos of messages, or do every aspect of my life convey a clear message? Am I like Christ, following his example as is revealed in the gospels?
