Okay then.. What I am saying is important to the subject ---The main issue to me is that you are already closed off to the Baptism of the Spirit it seems. It's your loss...and also those to whom you are sent to. Tongues edify oneself. They build you up in your most holy faith, keeping you in the love of God.
Paul's statements that If I pray in a tongue my spirit prays, my understanding is unfruitful. 1cor14:14 is wonderous.
It is awesome to be driving your car, taking a shower, riding a bike, weeding the garden, and to pray in tongues, knowing that it is your spirit praying to the FAther - who is a Spirit by the way and He fully understands all that you are saying because it is not just YOU saying it....it is the HOLY SPIRIT joined with your spirit as ONE SPIRIT-1Cor 6:17
You and the Spirit of Jesus pray together in a language that you do not need to understand...and nobody else needs to understand it, especially the demonic realm. God understands it. Paul says so right at the start of 1 Cor 14
Howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries to God....
The hidden thing you speak is ONLY hidden, only a mystery to you...to your understanding...not God's! By praying with your spirit(as Paul defined tongues in 1co14:14)to God, you and the Holy Spirit(Who is joined to your spirit-1co6:17)you are praying our some hidden secret that is working all things together for good for you and maybe for others.
You don't have to worry about what your'e praying....just leave it with Father.
But it's this natural man that demands proof from God BEFORE it will surrender that hinders you.
my diary from a trip to India---https://condemnednomore.com/2009/07/17/evangelism-in-india/
First, I want to say that just because we believe differently here, we should not be divided over our unity in sharing the gospel and in teaching righteous living (or instruction) by God's Word.
Second, I believe that the one baptism mentioned in Ephesians 4:5 is spirit baptism. It is the only baptism that matters. I believe this baptism is the receiving of the Spirit, which is generally done when a person first accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior and they seek forgiveness with Him, and they believe that His death, and resurrection on their behalf. I lean towards the view that water baptism was an Old Covenant ritual that carried over into the church until Paul revealed the true baptism (of which Jesus spoke about). While a person can water baptize today, it is not a requirement as a part of salvation.
Three, as for 1 Corinthians 14:1-2:
Well, when I read this passage, I read it as a part of the greater context of the whole chapter (1 Corinthians 14), and also read it in light of what came before (i.e.
1 Corinthians 12-13). Paul was criticizing the Corinthians for their misuse of the spiritual gift of tongues. Paul's whole point here is to show that the Corinthians needed to have an interpreter present so as to prophecy and edify the body of Christ. Here is just a sampling of Paul's criticism towards the Corinthians on this matter:
#1. If I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (1 Corinthians 14:6).
#2. If I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. (1 Corinthians 14:11).
#3. Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12).
#4. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (1 Corinthians 14:13).
#5. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14).
#6. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. (1 Corinthians 14:15).
#7. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Corinthians 14:16).
#8. For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (1 Corinthians 14:17).
#9. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue (1 Corinthians 14:19).
#10. Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not (1 Corinthians 14:22).
#11. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23).
#12. Let all things be done unto edifying (1 Corinthians 14:26).
#13. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God (1 Corinthians 14:28).
#14. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33).
In fact, for clarity, I think the NLT helps to clear up what is being said here in 1 Corinthians 14:1-2.
1 "Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
2 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.
3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.
4 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).
In other words, Paul is criticizing the Corinthians that if they speak in an unknown tongue alone without an interpreter, it would be only God who would truly understand what they are saying (i.e. Paul is criticising them). Paul says that if they speak in tongues alone without an interpreter, it would be as if they speak mysteries to people and it does not edify the body of the church.