Reading Paul's instructions to us about public worship in first Corinthians chapter 14 tells you how little we pay attention to the Bible. Chapter 14 was intended to teach the Corinthians how to conduct themselves when the come into their church meetings. This is not an instruction manual on speaking in tongues or whether the gift of prophecy is better than it.
Paul start by saying when it come to public worship or ministration, love must always be your highest goal. Love must be the motivating factor for everything you are doing.
Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4 NLT.
We see a few truths here; speaking in tongues, unless someone is interpreting, is you talking to God, and even though that is fine because you are speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit and Paul you are even strengthened, but it is solely for your own benefit. Prophesying on the other hand is intended to make you a conduit through which God blesses others.
Secondly, Paul address the important place of order in our church meetings stating that those who speak must be in control;
Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 NLT.
The Holy Spirit does not encourage confusion.
Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NLT.
