Description

Definition
Interpreting of tongues is the ability to reveal the meaning of a message given in an unknown language. This aptitude has no value by itself, but instead supplements that of speaking in tongues, interpreting what was said in the foreign language.
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit . . . the interpretation of tongues” (1 Cor. 12:7-8, 10). “The man who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind” (1 Cor. 14:13-15). The apostle Paul placed great emphasis on gifts that build others up (see 1 Cor. 14:26), and anyone having this gift does that by interpreting what is spoken in an unknown language. Paul spoke in tongues frequently and for extended periods, but he wrote “in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Cor. 14:18-19). In church, speaking in tongues is useless to everyone except the speaker, unless someone interprets.
From these scriptures we see that the interpretation of a message in tongues is for the common good, or the benefit of everyone who hears it. Speaking or praying in tongues originates with either the Holy Spirit or the human spirit and the human mind is not involved. It does not contribute to or understand what is said. For anyone to benefit from hearing a message in tongues, they must hear the interpretation so their mind can understand. As important as speaking in tongues is and as much as it benefits the speaker, an interpretation is essential for it to benefit anyone else. Whoever speaks in tongues in public should pray that he may interpret what he says, but someone else may have the interpretation.
Notice this aptitude is the ability to interpret, not translate. It most likely will be a paraphrase, an explanation of the meaning or a statement of the content of a message given in an unknown language. When comparing what is spoken in an unknown language and its interpretation, one may be much longer than the other or they may be about the same in length.
Having this aptitude, you want people to understand what God is saying and you explain it to them, whether it was encouragement, correction, warning, or insight. You focus your energies on presenting God’s words to them, making them understandable and meaningful. When someone speaks in tongues, presenting a message in an unknown language, your understanding of the message comes to you intuitively through your spirit. As the person is speaking, you may have a general sense about what they are saying, or you may not have any idea what you will say until you begin to interpret.
God speaks to your spirit as He spoke to the spirit of the person giving the message in tongues. Your mind senses the result as words, an image or an impression, and this is what you interpret. Because your own spirit speaks to your mind the same way and your mind can generate its own words, images, and impressions, you need to use discernment to identify what is coming from God. Not every spontaneous thought or impression is from God. Others should weigh carefully what you say when interpreting a message given in an unknown language, as they should for prophets (1 Cor. 14:29).
You are probably very intuitive in the way you think and speak because this aptitude relies on intuitive speech. You may typically speak without thinking, expressing your feelings as the words flow, wanting others to know how you feel. This is consistent with how you interpret a message in tongues. Your goal is to create understanding.

Typical Characteristics
● Intuitively understand the meaning of something spoken in an unknown language.
● Speak intuitively, wanting others to understand your feelings.
● Motivated to explain God’s statements to others so they understand.

Tendencies
● Priorities: spiritual. What you say when interpreting a message in tongues originates in the spiritual realm, so spiritual awareness and sensitivity are very important to you.

Misunderstandings
Due to your emotional nature, others might interpret what you say as an emotional outburst.

Vocations and Roles
You may be drawn to work as a translator or interpreter of learned languages; interpretation of tongues is the spiritual version, translating or interpreting known languages is the mental version. Your specific role is to bring clarification and understanding.

Perversions

Self-Centeredness
(Perverts your aptitude by focusing it on you, emphasizing the pleasure or fulfillment it gives you.)
Self-centeredness makes you want to impress others with your spiritual sensitivity and ability to speak a message from God. You may even enjoy the attention and respect you receive from others because you hear God.

Extremes
(Perverts by exaggerating, taking your characteristics and tendencies to extremes.)
In the extreme, you may begin to think that any intuitive feeling or thought you have is a sign God wants you to speak. Also, you may give an interpretation even when you don’t know the meaning of the message; that is, when you are not the one who should give the interpretation. When someone speaks in tongues, you might speak what you feel, even if it originates with your own spirit or emotions.

Control
(Self-centeredness makes you want to be in control, and you struggle for control in a way that is unique to your character.)
When you are interpreting, thoughts may come to your mind that you do not think are appropriate, so you might judge the content and change it to what you think it should be. If those thoughts really were from God, you would be guilty of deliberately misinterpreting the message.

Redemption

Putting on Important Traits
Certain godly character traits are especially important to you as an interpreter and consciously developing the following traits will help you promote understanding.

● Humility (Considers self relatively unimportant compared to others; prevents using abilities for one’s own satisfaction.) Humility helps you perform without appearing or becoming arrogant about interpreting something no one else understands.
● Agape (Considers others’ welfare, needs, interests, and desires more important than your own; motivates you to act for others’ benefit regardless of personal impact.) Agape motivates you to interpret with great accuracy so the listeners will receive the most benefit.
● Goodness (Action on another’s behalf, whether pleasant or unpleasant to them; motivates you to do what is best for others.) This causes you to speak what others need to hear, whether they consider it pleasant or not.
● Faith or faithfulness (Firm conviction regarding something for which there is no proof; action based on such conviction.) This gives you strong confidence that what you sense in your spirit is from the Lord, knowing that a message from God will be completely beneficial to the listeners.
● Self-control (Restraint; temperance; moderation in thought, action, or feeling.) Self-control prevents you from changing the words or meaning of what you sense because of your priorities. You must speak only when God directs because He may want you to simply confirm what another says. Also, you may need to control your intuitive nature, which can cause you to distract from God’s message by speaking with great emotion.

Repentance, Renewing Your Mind
(The changes you need to make in the way you think, including your attitudes, standards, priorities, and perspective.)
Your role is to create understanding of what God has spoken in another language by expressing what you sense He said. Accuracy of content must be your top priority. You serve everyone who hears the interpretation by presenting the meaning of the original message.

Denying and Humbling Yourself
(Rejecting your own desires and self-interests. Refusing to be motivated by desire for recognition or credit for the results.)
Completely reject every sense of pride in your ability to hear God and interpret His message; you are nothing more than a channel through which He speaks. Allow others to judge what you said and decide whether your interpretation was accurate, and then accept correction.

Taking up Your Cross
(Accepting that which has potential for great harm, threatens to break you down, or reveals your inadequacies.)
Every time you speak for God, you are vulnerable because of the potential for speaking what is in your own spirit instead of what is coming from God.

Following Jesus
(How you uniquely imitate Jesus by doing what He would in your situation.)
Jesus spoke only what He heard the Father say. He spent extended time alone with God, cultivating an intimate relationship, which then enabled Him to hear God clearly.

Becoming Like a Child
(Accepting what God gives you, believing what He tells you, trusting Him to take care of you, and simply doing what He says.)
When speaking in God’s behalf, you must believe what He tells you and say only what He tells you to say. You also must recognize your human limitations and accept correction when you have erred.