The Nine Gifts of the Spirit -- part 3
The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues
As we continue our study of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, let’s now look at another of the “inspiration gifts.” Tongues manifesting as one of the spiritual gifts often occur in meetings and large or small assemblies. This gift of tongues alerts an audience to listen for someone to then give an interpretation of the tongue into an understood language.
We might ask, “Why tongues and interpretation?” The answer is that tongues and the interpretation of tongues is a sign to the unbeliever. More than once I have heard stories where someone has spoken in tongues, and when the interpretation came, the unbeliever was astounded to know that another person could speak his/her language.
One time I spoke in an unknown tongue in a chapel in Israel and then gave the interpretation of the tongue. Our tour guide recognized the language I spoke and was amazed that I knew the dialect so well. When I told him that I did not know how to speak the language, but was speaking rather by the Holy Spirit’s ability, he did not believe me! He was sure I had to know the dialect because it was spoken so perfectly. I have always hoped that experience stirred his heart toward the Lord.
Another time in a meeting a lady and I started speaking in tongues to each other. We understood by the Spirit what we were saying and conversed for several minutes, although neither of us knew the language we were speaking! It felt like we were enclosed in a bubble in the Spirit, and anyone outside the bubble could not understand what was being said. Yet we both did understand!
There must be a realm in the Spirit whereby entering into it, our spirit language is understandable to the mind. That experience with tongues and the interpretation of tongues was fun and quite unusual to say the least.
Mothers of Nations, have you ever experienced the spiritual gift of interpretation of tongues in an unusual or impactful way? If so, I would love to hear your story!
Dr. Sharon Predovich
