How to Interpret Tongues

Learning how to interpret tongues effectively is a journey many Christians desire to undertake, but few understand fully. This divine gift, when properly exercised, becomes a powerful tool for encouraging and uplifting the Body of Christ.

In this comprehensive article, we'll explore practical steps and biblical principles that will help you develop and exercise this supernatural ability with confidence and authenticity. This gift of the Holy Spirit when properly understood and practiced, can bring powerful messages of encouragement to believers.

Getting Started: Your First Step in Tongues Interpretation

Part 2 of 2 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 7 minute read

Colorful Sunset Over the Andaman SeaInterpret Unknown Tongues and Bless the Body of Christ
(Source: © mr_Brightside/Depositphotos.com)

Jude reminds, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 1:20).

Begin by praying privately in tongues to build up your faith beforehand. Then, when you are with the Church and sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak a message in an unknown tongue, you can promptly deliver it followed by its interpretation. The interpretation will flow from your mouth, and you'll know it's inspired by the Holy Spirit and not something you're making up.

True interpretation of tongues flows supernaturally through the Holy Spirit's inspiration, instead of from memorized verses or prepared material that might sound good but fails to edify. When we operate in faith and allow the Spirit to work through us, the message carries His divine anointing and effectively edifies the Body of Christ.

The Flow of Interpretation: Understanding How to Interpret Tongues

pez-dispenser

Expect your words to come slowly when you first interpret a tongue, and you may find yourself pausing between phrases, as the words of the message are composed on your tongue.

Picture a PEZ® candy dispenser.1 Each time you PRESS its head, out pops another candy from its mouth. Interpreting a tongue is similar in action, since the interpretation is uttered one word or phrase at a time, as it's spoken by faith.

The Holy Spirit will start you off with a word or phrase. Speak it, and another phrase will be given. Speak it, and another phrase will be given, and so on.

For example…

  1. PRESS: "Our hearts are full of your praises."
  2. PRESS: "Your goodness and mercy surround us,"
  3. PRESS: "and we place our faith in you, Lord."
  4. PRESS: "You are…."

Interpret until you sense there's no more words and phrases to be added. Then, you will know it's time to stop. If you continue speaking beyond the Spirit's prompting, you'll find yourself tripping over your words and repeating yourself as your mind tries to compensate.

Be careful not to pressure yourself as you learn how to interpret tongues. It's not the speed of delivery or how many words are spoken that's important; it's whether the interpreted message is inspired by the Holy Spirit.

It's important to note that the interpretation of a tongue is NOT a word-for-word translation. It's similar to a paraphrase in that it offers the substance, the gist of what's been spoken in tongues. Let's be clear, the length of a message spoke in an unknown tongue bears NO relationship to the length of its interpretation.

Don Bell

During mission trips to St. Petersburg, Russia, my wife and I relied on our translator when communicating with the orphanage director. Fluent in both Russian and English, Irina translated our questions word for word into Russian and in turn translated the director's replies word for word into English for our understanding.

Although the director had spent several minutes answering each question in Russian, Irina's English interpretation sometimes took barely a minute to relate. However, she gave us the sum and substance, the gist of the replies, similar to how messages in tongues are interpreted.

Some speakers who interpret are naturally more wordy in everyday speaking than others, so some interpretations of tongues are longer, while others are shorter, and some will be more flowery in their delivery based on personality.

Simply be yourself when learning how to interpret tongues. Don't attempt to model your delivery of the interpretation after anyone else. Let your own personality shine through.

Don Bell

I once had a prophecy spoken over me at a camp meeting in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was delivered by a young prophet who was clearly from South Carolina. "Y'all hear me now," he began, and the anointed word was prophesied entirely in the Southern dialect.

Expect your first attempts to be halting and slow. You may find yourself pausing between the phrases, as they are composed on your tongue, but your delivery will improve as you gain confidence through experience.

Take your time to speak clearly and loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Speak confidently in the first person; for example, "God, I praise your wonderful works."

Remember, you are speaking a supernaturally interpreted message to God only you won't know what the message is until you've finished speaking it nor will anyone listening.

Biblical Order: Following Scripture's Guidelines

Paul suggests, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:27).

One to three messages in tongues can be given either by the same person or by different persons, but each tongue must be followed by its interpretation. Also, each tongue and its interpretation must be given in turn to avoid the confusion of people speaking over one another.

However, after two messages in tongues have been given either by the same person or by two different persons, and there's been no interpretations, then whoever follows with a third message in tongues followed by an interpretation, that ONE interpretation serves as an interpretation of ALL previous messages.

Why "two or at the most three" messages in tongues? Paul is likely suggesting that limiting the messages to three permits other believers the opportunity to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit to share a Scripture verse, a teaching, or a word of prophecy, for the edification of the local Body of Christ.

When Interpretation is Absent: Biblical Solutions

Paul instructs, "But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in Church, and let him speak to himself and to God" (1 Corinthians 14:28).

The obligation is on the speaker of the tongue to ensure the tongue will be interpreted by either himself or by someone else present who's knows how to interpret tongues and is willing to exercise the gift.

When a message in tongues is given and the speaker hasn't yet learned to interpret, or feels hesitant, a leader experienced in the gifts can lovingly guide and encourage them to interpret the message. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit will prompt another believer to interpret the tongue.

After two or three messages have been spoken in tongues without interpretation, it's best to pause further tongue messages. This allows time for the Holy Spirit to work through those present and maintains order in the service, as Paul instructs.

Revelations: Understanding Different Perspectives

Paul says, "If anything is REVEALED to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:30–31, emphasis added).

The use of the word "revealed" indicates this verse hasn't to do with prophecy or the interpretation of tongues. Paul is likely referring to one of the revelation gifts: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, or discernment of spirits.

Sometimes, others may feel they received a different interpretation and say, "I had the interpretation, and it was different." Remember that the interpretation of tongues flows phrase by phrase as the Spirit gives utterance, so they could not have known what the message was unless they had first spoken it.

What others may be experiencing could be a separate revelation from the Lord that complements the interpreted message and was meant to inspire them.

Your Role as Interpreter: Maintaining Control

Paul says, "For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" (1 Corinthians 14:31–32).

What Paul is saying concerning the gift of prophecy can also be applied to the gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues.

Paul reminds that we are always in full control of our actions. We can choose to be obedient to the Holy Spirit's prompting and bring a message of edification, or we can choose not to.

Our Divine Purpose: Edifying the Church

Paul gives ends his instruction on the gifts of the Holy Spirit with a no-nonsense caution: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37, emphasis added).

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are precious tools given to us for building up the Body of Christ. As we embrace and faithfully exercise these gifts, we become more effective in our service to the Lord and His people.

We cannot fulfill our calling as believers to edify the local Body of Christ and do our part to advance the Kingdom of God using our natural abilities alone! We need the supernatural abilities given us by the Holy Spirit,

Knowing how to interpret tongues of a heavenly nature enables us to deliver divinely inspired words within our local assembly that will edify and bless our fellow believers.

Endnote

1 PEZ® is a registered trademark of PEZ Candy, Inc.

End of This 2-Part Series

If you missed it, Part 1: Gift of Interpretation of Tongues


About the Author

Don Bell of Kingdom Anointing

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.


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