Is it possible?The gift of interpretation of tongues is not to translate tongues, but to interpret what was said in tongues. On the day of Pentecost there were at least fifteen different languages being interpreted. Each understood in their native language what was being said, but only what was said in their own language. Those who heard their native tongue being spoken understood what was said, but they did not understand the many other languages being spoken. That is why today the gift of interpreter is necessary when ministering in a similar atmosphere of communication: declaring and or teaching the wonderful works of God.
Each heard in their own tongue the people praising God and declaring the wonderful works of God. Teaching the word of God is a declaration of the wonderful works of God. All ministries that are under the influence of The Holy Spirit declare the wonderful works of God. You cannot teach or even speak of God with out declaring his wonderful works.
A simple, but very important point in understanding the vastness of the Gift of Tongues is the word DIVERSITIES. You can speak in tongues, pray, teach, preach and any other form of ministry. There is a prayer and praise tongue, a warring tongue, a prophetic tongue, a preaching teaching tongue, and even a mourning tongue. In every way that tongues are used they will always declare the wonderful works of God. Like any other gift or work of God it will always bring Him glory.
Prayer in tongues is commonly exercised by many Christian today, unlike Pentecost where they were not so much praying, but declaring. Jesus commanded the wind and the sea and they obeyed Him. It was a command not a prayer. At the raising of Lazarus Jesus prayed and then for the people sake that were standing by He went from prayer to command: LAZARUS COME FORTH. Jesus gave us the reason for this: "That they may believe that thou hast sent me."
We must be careful not to limit or restrict the use of tongues or any other ministry gift to praying only. At some point prayer must move to action. And never discourage anyone desiring to speak with other tongues or prayer in an unknown language especially when it involves young people desiring to move in the supernatural. Forbid them not.
The apostle Paul never discouraged tongues. Even when he was teaching on a time to be silent he didn’t say stop. He said speak to yourself and to God, or when teaching he said, let it be by two or at the most three and let someone interpret. But you can see that he never ended it. He was a great promoter of every gift of God and said, "I thank God I speak with tongues more than you all" and "Forbid not to speak with tongues."
If your church or fellowship discourages the use of unknown tongues you might consider finding another church. There are many Spirit filled churches that would love to have you join them. Never stay long where the people do not believe in you, and if there is no faith for you, why stay? Do as Jesus did and move on. Life is too short to stay in an atmosphere of unbelief. Go where God can use you. Surround yourself with as much faith as possible, love everyone but take that love where it will have the greatest impact.
In your study of tongues, please remember the importance of the word DIVERSITIES. What applies to one type of tongues may not at all apply to another. Unknown tongues, tongues of men and of angels, praying or singing in the Spirit, they all have different functions and applications. There is one thing that we as believers will forever share in common, we live to glorify God. That is the purpose of every good and perfect gift.
Paul said that in the church (while teaching) he would rather speak five words with his understanding, that by his voice he might teach others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Then he went on to explain how the gift of interpretation of tongues can be useful to accomplish the goal of communication (speaking with understanding). That by his voice, or the voice of the interpreter he might teach others.
Tongues with the interpretation can be equal to prophecy in teaching, "Greater is he that prophesieth than he than speaketh with tongues, except he interpret." When tongues are interpreted it is as prophecy. Then: "All may learn, and all may be comforted." In this context of Paul’s teaching he said, "In the law it is written, With men of other lips will I speak unto this people." God can and does most certainly speak to people by the use of tongues. "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret."
Pastor Tilson
