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Gifts of the Holy Spirit 10
The Interpretation of Tongues
by Pastor John Hamel
We have now come to
the third and final Utterance Gift. This Gift is called the
Interpretation of Tongues.
By definition the
Interpretation of Tongues is a supernatural utterance inspired by the Holy
Spirit, which interprets an unknown Tongue.
“Wherefore let him
that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret.” (1Corinthians 14:13)
Here the Apostle
Paul tells us that we should pray, asking the Holy Spirit to enable us to
interpret our Tongues. He’s referring to the Believer interpreting
what they pray out in other Tongues
during their private or corporate prayer times.
There is another
type of Interpretation of Tongues as well. This is the public
Interpretation of Tongues for use in public services. Everyone can
pray and interpret their own Tongues in
private. However, not everyone can pray and interpret their own Tongues or another’s Tongues in public
services. This is a separate and a unique form of the Gift that is
not possessed by every Believer.
Let’s read what the
Apostle Paul said. “Have all the
gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” (1Corinthians 12:30)
Here Paul could
only be referring to the public Gift of Tongues and Interpretation because
the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and the speaking with other Tongues is promised to every Believer. (Acts 1:8) The
public Gift of Interpretation of Tongues is not promised to every
Believer. It is the public Gift of Tongues and Interpretation that
Paul referred to when he said, “Do all speak with tongues? Do all
interpret?” Of course, all do not possess the public Gift of Tongues
and Interpretation. Therefore, the implied answer to Paul’s question
is “No. All do not possess the public Gift of Tongues and
Interpretation.”
So we see that
there are indeed two separate manifestations of the Gift of Tongues and
Interpretation. Whether you possess the public Gift as well as the
private Gift or only the private Gift, interpretation basically operates
the same way. Let’s look at how that happens.
It is not the
easiest job in the world to explain how Spiritual Gifts operate but it is
doable. Although the Interpretation of Tongues is the ability to
translate into a known tongue something that has been spoken in an unknown
Tongue, it doesn’t just end there. There are different ways for
interpretations to come. I will describe my experiences, which are
similar to the experiences of many.
I’ve had times when
I or someone else would speak forth in an unknown Tongue, publicly or
privately. I would then see something, on the inside of my spirit.
Something like a still picture, possibly even a moving picture. In
pre-DVD days, one Prophetess of God referred to this as, “Video
prophecies.” I would simply describe out loud what I was seeing in my
spirit in a way that would honor God and edify the hearing
congregation. This is one way an interpretation can come.
Sometimes, one or
two words will come to me. As I am obedient to speak those words forth
by faith, not knowing where they are leading me, the rest of the
interpretation will follow. This took a little getting used to, but
after a time or two I realized that the Holy Spirit will always be there to
meet me if I’ll just step out and speak the few words I already have by
faith. It sounds a little scary, but the Holy Spirit will never
leave you hanging. He won’t embarrass you.
Then there are
times when I actually just know down in my spirit what the “gist” of the
interpretation is. Sometimes it’s a Scripture verse. Sometimes
it’s a subject or a theme. I’ll begin to explain aloud that which I am knowing inwardly and the Holy Spirit always helps me
to present it in a Scriptural and in an encouraging way.
Just keep this in
mind. Interpreting Tongues, publicly or privately, is a whole lot
simpler than describing how to interpret Tongues, publicly or
privately.
Some individuals
are gifted to both speak and interpret Tongues publicly. Some
individuals are gifted only to speak Tongues out publicly but they are
unable to interpret publicly. These individuals should always be sure
that there is an interpreter present before they speak in a public
Tongue. If no interpreter is present, the Tongue should not be given.
“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)
If one speaks
publicly in Tongues and no one interprets it for them, there is no
condemnation for making a mistake. However, it is best to not speak
again until an interpreter is present.
However, speaking
in Tongues in your private prayer time is quite another matter
altogether. One may speak at will and ask the Lord for the
interpretation. (1 Corinthians 14:13) If it is His will at that time,
He will surely give it to you. If it is not, He simply will
not.
Interestingly, I
have discovered that whatever or whomever continues to come to mind while
I’m privately praying in Tongues is usually for what or for whom I am
praying. I then simply focus in on that. Interpretation of
Tongues can indeed come in the form of what consistently comes into your
mind while you are praying. Once you get settled down in prayer and get
into the Spirit, this becomes a common occurrence.
Keep in mind, just
like the Gift of Prophecy, there are two kinds of Tongues and
Interpretation. One can simply be for edification, exhortation and
comfort of the Saints, containing no revelation or prediction. The
other can contain revelation or prediction, pointing towards things that
will happen in the future.
By picking up your
Bible and simply reading First Corinthians chapter fourteen, you can learn
much about both kinds of Tongues and Interpretation.
Finally, the
Interpretation of Tongues is equivalent to the Gift of Prophecy. This
is because an interpreted Tongue has now become inspired utterance in a
known tongue.
It has been often
stated, “Tongues plus Interpretation equals Prophecy.” Think of it this
way. Two five-dollar bills are equivalent to one ten-dollar bill. Although they’re
totally different, the end result is identical!
We have come to the
end of our abbreviated study on the nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their
three categories. In closing this series, I would like to remind you
of something that I said to you way back in the
Introduction.
It would be good
for you to memorize the name of each Gift as well as its definition.
This was the first thing I did when I discovered them nearly 25 years
ago. The Holy Spirit’s Gifts operate best through those who recognize
and understand them best.
Please keep in mind
that each of these Gifts is a Supernatural Gift. They operate by the
Supernatural power of God. They have nothing to do with man’s natural
abilities.
Soon you will
recognize which of the Gifts the Holy Spirit has imparted to you.
Please keep in mind that you cannot turn your Gifts on and off at
will. The Holy Spirit decides when and how your Gifts will
operate. The best thing you can do is to spend time worshipping God and reading His
Word. This always leads to greater manifestations of your Gifts.
Be Blessed … John and Barbara Hamel
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