Prayer 2021 - April 13 - Interpretation of Tongues pt 2

Scripture For Today:

Colossians 4:4

“Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Interpretation of Tongues pt 2

Yesterday, we talked about the interpretation of tongues in your private prayer life as compared to doing so publicly. We referenced First Corinthians 14:27-28, which reads, “If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; let him speak to himself and to God.”

As I said before, this scripture is talking about tongues and the interpretation of tongues in a public church service or in a group. In this scripture, the word “interpreter” is the one who has a GIFT of interpreting tongues. As I covered yesterday, that does not mean someone who has been doing so in their private prayer time.

Now, I want to cover something that may upset some of you, again, today. Glory to God.

Paul infers in this scripture that an person with the GIFT of interpreting tongues is present during the public assembly where tongues will be spoken. That does not mean an interpreter is present in every meeting. And where there is no interpreter present, then tongues should not be spoken publicly.

“Well, brother Bob, how would someone know if an interpreter is present?”  I’m so glad you asked!  This is the sensitive part that will have someone get mad, right here. Are you ready?

Who is doing the inspiring to speak in an unknown tongue during the service?  The Holy Spirit, right?

Do you think the Holy Spirit knows who is and who is not present? Do you think the Holy Spirit knows whether or not a qualified person with the GIFT of interpretation is present in the meeting?

Well, the obvious answer would be, “YES.” Am I right? The Holy Spirit is God and He knows everything, right?

So, what Paul is saying here, is that IF a person is sensitive enough to flow with the Holy Spirit in the speaking of tongues publicly, that person should also be sensitive enough to KNOW when NOT to speak publicly but only speak to themselves under their breath. 

If this person is someone who follows the Holy Spirit perfectly, they wouldn’t speak out publicly when no interpreter is present, because the Holy Spirit would know that and would not inspire them to do so.

You see, if it were just up to the Holy Spirit, everyone would be qualified to speak in tongues publicly and also have the Gift of Interpretation publicly. But we are human beings and not perfect. That is why believers must LEARN how to yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in a more perfect way. 

That is why God has given us instructions in the Bible, in His Word, regarding these special gifts.

The very fact that Paul specifically said, “…if there is no interpreter present…” also implies that an interpreter could always interpret any message given in tongues.

One more word that will upset some of you. I’ve been in services where someone will just start to speak out in tongues…and then give the interpretation THEMSELVES.  Folks, let me tell you right now, this IS NOT SCRIPTURAL.

I was in a church for several weeks with meetings and this same person would speak out in every single service – and give the interpretation themselves.  Finally, I had to pull the pastor aside and talk with him about this. He agreed 100% with me.

I went back a few months later and, in the course of our conversation, I asked him about that person. He said when he talked with her about it, she became angry, got up and left and never came back.  You see, she was doing it for attention. She may have thought she was operating according to a gift, but in actuality, it was the devil trying to disrupt the service.

The very fact she became angry when the pastor confronted her privately, and never came back again, is proof that people who do this are under a demonic deception. What they are doing IS NOT SCRIPTURAL.

Again, the person speaking in tongues IS NOT to give the interpretation publicly. And if the Holy Spirit is the one doing the inspiring, He will not have you give a vocal, public session of speaking in tongues when HE knows there is no qualified, gifted person present who will do the interpretation apart from you. Amen. And AMEN.

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2