Growth Interpretation of Tongues - misunderstood and underused

[K2CHRIST]

From what I have seen, the gift of interpretation of tongues is perhaps the most misunderstood and underused Gift of the Spirit. Everyone that speaks in tongues should be able to interpret! But we don't really understand it's uses so we don't. What we primarily don't understand is it's personal nature!

Yesterday I was talking to the Lord because I knew I would be writing in Interpretation of tongues next. The first thing the Lord told me was, "Karl, I am not in a box", and He had a lot more to say about it.

There is a type of thinking we call "in the box" thinking. Basically it is a failure to understand all the possibilities. And we are really bad at this when it comes to God. He had given me a similar teaching once before when He told me that I couldn't put Him in a box, not even a Bible box. He asked, "Could 1500 pages tell you all that He could do?" However this teaching was a little different. This time He was explaining that He doesn't live in that box we call a church building!! He lives inside of us and He is a personal God!

He was explaining that while we may go to church to meet with Him, we don't meet with Him in the church but rather He meets with us inside us. We are the temple of God, and we forget that. So interpretation of tongues is a gift primarily for personal use!!

Now it is true that sometimes God has a corporate word. So we might have a word of knowledge, or a word or prophecy, or an interpretation of tongues presented to the group, but think about it. If you indeed know the Lord, you must certainly know that He personally cares for you and personally talks to you. His sheep hear His voice, and the voice they hear in personal. At least 99% of the things I hear from God are for me personally, and that includes prophecy, words of knowledge, healing, speaking in tongues, and should also include the gift of interpretation of tongues. But that one we often don't understand!

1 Cor 14:13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that may interpret.

That is an instruction we find in the Bible. So for you that speak in tongues, do you pray for the interpretation every time you speak in tongues? Are we as a group of Spirit filled Christians following the instructions? I don't. Not every time. And I don't enough. But the Lord had told me to get the interpretation by listening to Him years ago.

We are supposed to be seeking the voice of the Lord. Often I will be going this way and that when suddenly that fire comes on my chest which causes me to break into tongues. Sometimes it happens because the Lord had something He wanted to talk to me about and I wasn't paying attention. So He causes the fire to burn in me, which gets my attention, and then I see His voice as to what it is about.

If you don't understand, John the Baptist explained that One was coming after Him that would baptize you with the Spirit and fire. So while Paul was specifically talking in a corporate sense to the Corinthians, God is still a personal God even when you are in that box we call a church. Remember that!

 

[Knotical]

The purpose for speaking in tongues was purely evangelical. It was a tool given to the apostles so they would be able to out to communities that speak other languages and witness to them. Today, we really have no use for this in our local churches as there are plenty of Christians who speak the various different languages.

You are correct that those who are blessed with this gift should also be able to interpret what they are saying in the other tongue(s). I have also come across people in the past that "speak in tongues" and call it their "spirit language", yet do not interpret what they are saying. Also, I have met people who will mumble something incomprehensible while another person is praying, mostly because they have seen other people doing it.

Really, the original purpose of speaking in tongues has gone away since there are Christians in many different countries speaking many different languages. There may be rare cases where speaking in tongues may be necessary, but those are few and far between.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Now that we have established the God lives in us, and that He wants that personal relationship, we can go over the use of the gifts in a corporate sense. That is, we have many people coming into the church building and God uses us to help them. The work of God is that all should come to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. And the Father said "Listen to Him". And we can because He sends the Holy Spirit which speaks to us, not on His own initiative but as He hears He speaks.

So we have the Spirit of God who has been sent to us and who speaks. And of course the gifts are gifts of the Spirit, that is to say the Spirit has them. He always has them! So since we have the Spirit and the Spirit has the gifts, we always have access to all the gifts of the Spirit. So He can, according to what He hears, give any of us any of the gifts at any time. Certainly God is going to be wise as to what He does, but point is that you have the Spirit who has all the gifts, so you have access to all the gifts!!

You don't just have access to a gift, you have access to all the gifts. So the problem is not a problem of having access to the gifts but rather a problem of you earnestly desiring them!!! God will not violate your free will. You have to want to be used for interpretation of tongues. You have to want to be used for prophecy. You have to want to be used for healing. And I mean both personally and corporately. Corporately, do we want that?????

If I show up at a church, any church, I know the Spirit of God and can be used in the gifts, but will the Spirit give have me giving prophecy, or a word of knowledge, or a tongue with interpretation? If that church in a corporate sense does not want them used there, the Spirit will probably not give me a corporate word of prophecy, or a corporate word of knowledge, or a corporate tongue with and interpretation! I'm not saying that absolutely He won't, because God may just want to use me to corporately teaching them something, but from my experience, He doesn't tend to do that. If they don't desire the gifts, He is probably not going to give them the gifts.

Now the church that the Lord specifically has me attending now, is a Charismatic church. But it is a very conservative Charismatic church. That is to say, we operate in the gifts, but sadly they are primarily in the back room. That is not exactly the picture that Paul painted for the church at Corinth. Paul wanted the gifts to be used in an orderly way in the main service, but not in the back room!! So at the church the Lord has me currently attending and helping in, I use the gifts of the Spirit but it's in a back room. So if you want healing, show up to the building in the back on a certain night and you will find a healing ministry that I work in, and people like me will pray and minister to you. You will likely see the gifts of the Spirit operating there. If you get me, you might see the gift of interpretation.

I sometimes use the gift of interpretation. I found a use for it that helps me get the right prayer and information to the person coming in for prayer. It works like this. Because I want to make sure I am picking up the Lord and praying according to the will of God, I will let the Spirit come up inside me and let Him use my voice. I pray in tongues, so I know I have the Spirit doing the work. Then I simply ask the Lord what I am praying, and listen to the small voice of the Lord to give me the interpretation. Then I repeat aloud what I am picking up from the small voice.

It comes out like:

Tongues.
Word of interpretation.
Then tongues.
Then word of interpretation.
Then tongues.
Then word of interpretation.

That way I pray according to the Spirit and let the person know what is being prayed for. It works really well!

But again, it is in the back room at the church I attend. That is how they have it. I love it when it is not in the back room. Paul, writing to the church of Corinth did not have it as happening in the back room. But that is better than most of the churches I go to which don't seem to have in anywhere. My friends, we in our wisdom tend to exclude an limit the Holy Spirit! We limit Him by not earnestly desiring the Gift of the Spirit, like we were instructed to do. We do that both personally and corporately.

 

[K2CHRIST]

The purpose for speaking in tongues was purely evangelical. It was a tool given to the apostles so they would be able to out to communities that speak other languages and witness to them. Today, we really have no use for this in our local churches as there are plenty of Christians who speak the various different languages.

You are correct that those who are blessed with this gift should also be able to interpret what they are saying in the other tongue(s). I have also come across people in the past that "speak in tongues" and call it their "spirit language", yet do not interpret what they are saying. Also, I have met people who will mumble something incomprehensible while another person is praying, mostly because they have seen other people doing it.

Really, the original purpose of speaking in tongues has gone away since there are Christians in many different countries speaking many different languages. There may be rare cases where speaking in tongues may be necessary, but those are few and far between.

This is so wrong! Tongues edifies. Edifies mean to teach in a religious or moral sense. Evangelizing means to tell people about Jesus Christ. So this is an obvious conflict. Teaching is a way to grow people, that is what tongues does. In fact Paul was noting in his letter to the Corinthians that tongues would just make the unbeliever (the one we are evangelizing to) think we are crazy if we didn't have an interpretation. And so Paul really want the gift of prophecy, which is better for evangelizing. Tongues is more personal.

Also the tongues is the language of angels!! It is not a language of people as you have supposed! God certainly could have someone speaking in another language and does seem to do that. Angels can certainly communicate with you no matter what language you speak, but never-the-less your concept of what is going on is all wrong according to the Scriptures. So is it wrong according to your practice? Do you have the gift of tongues? Are you earnestly desiring the gifts like Paul instructed. or could it be you are just scoffing at the thought of it? That would be the opposite of earnestly desiring the gifts.

And if you want to know what someone is saying at anytime, can you not hear the small voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can ask Him and listen, remembering to test the spirits in the manner we are told to in 1 Jn 4:1-3.

And concerning your thought on it ever being people of different languages speaking in the others language, well it does say that ever happened. It says they hear the others in their own language, it does not say they spoke in the other languages.

Act 2:6 ... each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.

So everyone was hearing them speak in his own language!! You assume they were each speaking in their own language, which it does not say. If say one was speaking in German, the other speaking in Spanish, and another speaking in French, each could not have been "hearing them" speak in their own language, because they would still have all been speaking in different languages, unless the Holy Spirit was giving them and understanding of what was be said in their own language! That is what interpretation of tongues is about. The Holy Spirit give you the "Interpretation" of what is being said in your own language! That is why it is call "Interpretation". And that was what had to be happening in Acts for each to hear in His own language.

Now I have been speaking in tongues and it seem to sound like Chinese, or German, or Italian, or Hebrew, but I don't speak any of those languages, so I don't really know. Except that I have asked the Lord and had Him tell me what was going on.

For example. Once it seem like when I prayed in tongues it came across in what I thought was Chinese. This lasted for about a week, when one day a young couple came into the Christian bookstore I had at the time. And the Lord told me that they were going to be missionaries to China. They were a young white couple, but based on what the Lord had just told me and based upon what had been happening in my prayer life I asked them if they had thought about going to China. Wow, it turn out that they had already plan to be part of a short outreach their church had, and were going to China in a couple of weeks. And they did go and came back to my store to tell me. They loved it so much they were now planning on be missionaries to China, and that they also did. I found that out from another couple who knew them and sometimes came into my store.

So was that speaking in tongues (which I was not doing in a corporate environment or way, but rather a personal way) really being spoken in Chinese. Could be, but I don't know that because I don't speak Chinese. Perhaps it was instructions or commands released to the powers and principalities or this world to make a way for those missionaries. I don't know that either, but I know I hear the Lord tell me in my own language that they were going to be missionaries to China. So it is the hearing in your own language and not the speaking in another language that is important, just like it is written in Acts, and not how you think it is written.

 

[K2CHRIST]

If we want to learn and be taught (be edified), we need the gifts. God uses them to help teach us. Yes we need to read and study the Bible, but the Bible says to desire the gifts. If you are not doing that, you are not doing what the Bible says, and so you are probably not growing in the Lord like you should.

And desiring the gifts is not a one time thing. If a kid asked his father for a game, it is getting the game that makes the kids good at the game. The kid has to play it and the more the kid plays the more he knows about the game. In the same way we need to ask our Father for the gifts of the Spirit. They are so much more valuable than any game we could have, but we still have to have them and use them if we are going to learn.

 

[Knotical]

Sounds like you need a bit more study on this subject.

If you go back to the tower of Babel you will see that God confused their language, which caused the people living at that time to spread out far and wide into the world. It wasn't until after Christ's ascension into heaven did God want Gentiles to be witnessed to. And who were the Gentiles? Everyone who was not Jewish, which means they spoke different languages, which means God needed to give the apostles the ability to speak to those people in their own tongues. That is the primary use of the gift of tongues.

It is interesting that you would say I am wrong in my assessment on this issue yet quote the very scripture that supports my position.

 

[K2CHRIST]

[

Sounds like you need a bit more study on this subject.

If you go back to the tower of Babel you will see that God confused their language, which caused the people living at that time to spread out far and wide into the world. It wasn't until after Christ's ascension into heaven did God want Gentiles to be witnessed to. And who were the Gentiles? Everyone who was not Jewish, which means they spoke different languages, which means God needed to give the apostles the ability to speak to those people in their own tongues. That is the primary use of the gift of tongues.

It is interesting that you would say I am wrong in my assessment on this issue yet quote the very scripture that supports my position.

You think that the early Christians were using the gift of tongues as a way to talk to people that didn't understand their language???

Why then did Paul ask the church at Corinth to not have people speaking in tongues without an interpreter?
If speaking in tongues was speaking in the other persons language there would be no need for an interpreter@

And why did Paul seem to think unbelievers and ungifted men would think say they are mad, if the tongue was in their language?
Speaking to other people in their own language would not cause them to think you are mad but rather they would think you very considerate.

1 Cor 14:23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

. I know, talked to, and have been around numerous people who speak in tongues. I have prayed for and seen at least a dozen people get the gift and seen them use it. And while I have heard of the very rare cases where God has used the gift to communicate with someone whose language origin was different, I personally have not heard anyone I know actually use it that way. It is primarily used as a prayer language. There are others ways I have seen it used, but that is by far the most common.

1 Cor 14:2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

And concerning Babel, I already discussed that God confused their language because all things would be possible for them if He did not. So I don't understand what your point is with that. I pointed out that with the Lord giving us tongues and thus all speaking via the Spirit, all things are again possible. That of course makes sense for several reasons. All things are possible with God, and so if God is leading your requests, then how could it mean anything but all things are not possible. But maybe I don't understand what you are getting at?

 

[reba]

Foundation offaith is not a debate forum. So stop debating

 

[Edward]

And concerning your thought on it ever being people of different languages speaking in the others language, well it does say that ever happened. It says they hear the others in their own language, it does not say they spoke in the other languages.

Act 2:6 ... each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.

I've heard multiple testimonies of different sources give account of this very thing happening to them. Exactly like that. The people they were witnessing to, were speaking their own language, but he heard them in his own language (English). He (they) would speak to the other in English, and it was obvious by the body language that they understood him.

 

[Knotical]

Foundation offaith is not a debate forum. So stop debating

reba, this is a discussion, not a debate.

 

[JLB]

The purpose for speaking in tongues was purely evangelical. It was a tool given to the apostles so they would be able to out to communities that speak other languages and witness to them. Today, we really have no use for this in our local churches as there are plenty of Christians who speak the various different languages.

You are correct that those who are blessed with this gift should also be able to interpret what they are saying in the other tongue(s). I have also come across people in the past that "speak in tongues" and call it their "spirit language", yet do not interpret what they are saying. Also, I have met people who will mumble something incomprehensible while another person is praying, mostly because they have seen other people doing it.

Really, the original purpose of speaking in tongues has gone away since there are Christians in many different countries speaking many different languages. There may be rare cases where speaking in tongues may be necessary, but those are few and far between.

Have you been Baptized with the Holy Spirit?




JLB

 

[ezra]

tongues, is a widely discussed issue and depending on who you ask. is it relevant for the Church today? it is listed as a gift of the spirit. some feel this went away after Pentecost. i must confess i have often wondered why some Church Groups practice tongues, . while others do not... i have never spoke in tongues, i have had others tell me you don,t know what your missing... maybe so bit if it is a gift i figure if i need it God will give it to me. some will say it is of the devil.. {shame } to my self i wonder is it the same tongues, they spoke in Corinthians and other places...agree or disagree we should love and respect others who do and do not.. i know 2 AOG ministers who have preached in a general baptist Church and you would have never known it . other than they mentioned there Church in the message .
i also have a lady friend who is a Pentecostal preacher love her dearly ..these are just my thoughts on the matter

 

[Knotical]

Have you been Baptized with the Holy Spirit?




JLB

Yes, why?

I have never felt the urge to speak in tongues, if that is where you are going. There are a myriad of other spiritual gifts that can bestowed upon people.

 

[reba]

Having been born and raised in a Pentecostal home i have been around 'tongues' all my life.. I have seen the real and the fake.... Seen the pressures push people away... Listen to the if you dont speak in tongues you are not Spirit filled nonsense ....Tongues is about the easiest gift to fake....Yes i can speak in tongues. ..

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What i have not seen others say they have are the cloven tongues of fire.. I ask is it just to sorta skip Acts 2:1,2,3, and only use Acts 2.4? Reads to me it comes in a package deal.

 

[reba]

Post # 14 was written by member reba

this one as staff...please do not respond to this post in this thread
This topic is a good one to discuss.
Over the years having seen so much hurt felt by so many .. Please be careful of where we go with this . Remembering what God had Paul write
1Co_13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1Co 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
1Co 14:19 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.

1Co_14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Frankly I don't know how to tell the difference between a discussion and a debate. When we have discussions at work, we move towards a goal offering alternative ideas to a particular issue. When people have debates however, they are disagreeing, offering opposing views and providing evidence to support their view. I think I am seeing both in here. Just an observation.

 

[reba]

.. maybe dont argue would be more to the point.. the tiresome yes no yes no... goes nowhere

 

[JLB]

Yes, why?

I have never felt the urge to speak in tongues, if that is where you are going. There are a myriad of other spiritual gifts that can bestowed upon people.

• Because the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all, not just some.

• Because those who speak in tongues, in the bible, were baptized with the Holy Spirit.

In other words speaking in tongues is associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.


And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5


The Promise of the Father is the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is not baptism in water.


The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, comes with evidence that is seen and heard.

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:33

• He poured out this which you now see and hear.

JLB

 

[ezra]

sometimes others focus more on the gift than the giver of the gift.the free gift..:amen

 

[reba]

• Because the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all, not just some.

• Because those who speak in tongues, in the bible, were baptized with the Holy Spirit.

In other words speaking in tongues is associated with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.


And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5


The Promise of the Father is the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is not baptism in water.


The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, comes with evidence that is seen and heard.

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:33

• He poured out this which you now see and hear.

JLB

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.