Dear Ones, I first published this article about four years ago. Since then I have become convinced that it is even more of a lost gift in the church. The reality is, in the American church at least, the gifts are being lost, period. It’s happening at a time when we need the power of God the most! Pray that the Lord raises up apostles and teachers to train the Church in the gifts of the Spirit, that she might be ready to face the challenges of the age. Be sure and read John G. Lakes interpretation of tongues at the end of the article. It will stretch you like it did me! Love to all!
THE LOST GIFT
I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 1 Cor 14:5 NKJV
Seven of the nine gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 had been available to believers since Adam. On the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, two new gifts were introduced into the world, diverse kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. The gift of interpretation of tongues is so little understood, and apparently so little practiced among believers that I call it the lost gift. But, I tell you, it is a mighty gift of God that should be sought and practiced by every born again one!
The first time I spoke in tongues and interpreted was in the back seat of an old car driven by a young believer, after someone prayed for me. During the Jesus movement, ministry happened EVERYWHERE…
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; John 14:12 NKJV
One of the great hindrances to the believers walking in the power of God is this idea that one can only have one or two of the gifts of the Spirit. This concept clearly contradicts Scripture that says that I can do the works that Jesus did, if I am a born again one. If Jesus prophesied, I can prophesy. If Jesus received revelation, which He did clearly, then I can receive likewise. If Jesus did miracles, healed the sick and cast out demons, then so can any of His born again ones. And Jesus prophesied of the coming gifts of tongues and interpretations of tongues, saying that they would be for all believers as well, bless God forever!
…And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17 NKJV
To effectively cast out a demon, you need to operate in the gifts of word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, working of miracles, and possibly gifts of healing. That alone is at least four, if not five, gifts in operation in that one believer in that one instance.
One time when John G. Lake spoke in tongues and interpreted, the Lord spoke through him and declared what happens in the first moments when a believer dies and goes to Heaven. It’s very edifying…
The crucial factor is that the born again ones must be taught, and trained, to believe and receive.
Let’s consider the verses that are wrongly interpreted to push this ‘one or two gift’ concept…
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit… 1 Cor 12:7-8 NKJV
These verses are interpreted to say that to one person is given the word of wisdom. Another person may get the word of knowledge. But that is not what these scriptures teach. We just saw from Mark and from John that each believer should be able to walk in multiple gifts, if not all of the gifts! So, what is the answer?
I have often ministered healing effectively by the interpretation of tongues…
In Greek language usage, ‘to one’ is a pronoun that is controlled by its closest associated noun, which is its antecedent – ‘profit.’ In translation you could substitute the noun for the pronoun, which would make verse eight to read, “for to one profit is given the word of wisdom…to another profit is given the word of knowledge…” Each gift brings a different, unique set of benefits or profit to the believer and the Church. The other truth, from verse eleven, is that each gift can be operated by every believer according to their faith under God’s direction.
The purpose of the gifts of the Spirit in the context of 1 Corinthians twelve is to give each born again one the tools that they need to carry out the ministry that God has given them. Isn’t that wonderful!
THE SIMPLICITY OF HOW TO RECEIVE THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 1 Cor 14:12-13 NKJV
First of all, you must want to receive. If you are excited about receiving, you are already 90% there. You are seeking to excel, to the end of edifying yourself and others. That is a good thing!
When you interpret, keep it simple. You will not quote the thirty fifth chapter of Isaiah the first time you interpret tongues. Romans says that we prophesy according to our faith. It is the same truth with interpretation. You start small, start simple and grow in your faith and practice.
Whatever tongues can be ( a prayer, praise, worship, joyful thanksgiving, intercession, a warfare prayer, the speaking of a divine secret ), obviously, the interpretation of tongues will be, because you are declaring in your mother tongue what you have just spoken in a tongue. Understand?
Now, I am going to pray with you.
After I pray with you, I want you to speak in tongues for about ten seconds and then stop. Look in your spirit! You will have a word or a phrase, or even a whole sentence that your spirit brings to your mind. Speak it out loud immediately!
Keep speaking until you at least speak out one complete thought. If you have more, keep speaking until it quits!
It will be edifying, encouraging and comforting, just like prophecy.
Do this at least five times, and then practice daily. You will quickly begin to master interpretation of tongues!
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13 NKJV
Let’s pray together, ok?
“Father, we ask You to release to us and in us the great gift of interpretation of tongues. By faith we receive the gift now, in Jesus’ name! Amen.”
Now, speak in tongues…and interpret!
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…
PS. Consider this interpretation of tongues that was given to John G. Lake at 2am as he prayed. Each stanza was given in interpretation after speaking in tongues.
THE SECRET OF POWER
He is risen! He is risen! Hear the cry
Ringing through the land, and sea, and sky,
‘Tis the shout of victory, triumph is proclaimed
Heralds of God announce it, death is disdained.
Shout the tidings! Shout the tidings! Raise the cry.
Christ’s victorious, Christ’s victorious, cannot die,
For the bars of death He sundered
Satan sees that he has blundered,
As the shouts of angels thundered, “He is alive!”
Catch the shout, ye earth-bound mortals, let it roll.
‘Til it echoes over the mountains from the center to the poles
that the Christ of earth and glory death has conquered
Tell the story, He’s the victor, He’s the victor!
So am I.
For this reason that my ransom He has paid,
I’ve accepted his atonement, on Him laid,
He, the Lamb of God that suffered all for me,
Bore my sins, my grief’s, my sickness on the tree.
I am risen, I am risen from the grave,
Of my sins, my grief’s, my sickness and the waves
Of the resurrection life, and holy power.
Thrill by being with His new life every hour.
Now the lightning’s of God‘s Spirit burn my soul,
Flames of His divine compassion over me roll,
Lightning power of God’s own Spirit strikes the power of hell,
God in man, oh glory, glory! All the story tell.
I have proved Him, I have proved Him. It is true,
Christ’s dominion yet remaineth, ‘tis for you,
Let the fires of holy passion sweep your soul.
Let the Christ who death has conquered take control.
He will use you, He will use you
Zion yet has saviors still,
Christ the conqueror yet waiteth
For the action of your will.
Isn’t that edifying! What a blessing! Notice that it came forth in his (John G. Lakes) own vocabulary and style. I probably would have said the same truth in a slightly different English vocabulary. It was also in rhyme. Not all interpretation will come forth in rhyme.