REPEATEDLY we teach that the Bible should be read from beginning to end in order to understand its intend and spirit.
We also admonish each other to study it in context so that we avoid fusing our thoughts and nuances into it.
In the same spirit, I beseech you to read this piece and its build-up on this page so that nothing is quoted out of context.
Previously we dealt with tongues that don’t require interpretation and today we’re going to teach on tongues that require interpretation.
One may have prematurely and erroneously concluded from last week that tongues don’t require interpretation.
After reading the whole series, it becomes clearer that certain tongues require interpretation and others don’t.
It is God’s desire to get the full import of the Bible in order to have sound footing.
Let us have a look at how Scriptures can be twisted.
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We read 1 Kings 1:2-3, New King James, “[2] Therefore his servants said to him, ‘Let a young woman, a virgin, be sought for our lord the king, and let her stand before the king, and let her care for him; and let her lie in your bosom, that our lord the king may be warm.’ [3] So they sought for a lovely young woman throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.”
King David’s advisors suggested in his old age. Some can build a case and a culture can be initiated that the elders should get young girls to sleep with to get warmth.
It can even go as far as forming a sect or cult which preaches that all elders should be given young girls.
Read the whole Book. 1 Kings 1:4, New Living Translation, reads, “The girl was very beautiful, and she looked after the king and took care of him. But the king had no sexual relations with her.”
A sincere reader as we have said earlier, will go and search from Genesis to Revelation and find out that this was a dramatisation or rendition of Joseph and Mary concerning the birth of Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
Beware of miscreants forming a theology which is inconsistent with the spirit of the Bible.
Tongues for interpretation
There is, however, a diversity of tongues that lend themselves to interpretation. These are often prophetic tongues.
We read 1 Corinthians 14:9, “So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.”
There are times when a prophetic message is given in tongues, and if prophecy is meant to edify the church — and not just an individual believer — it is necessary that they should be interpreted because if not, it’s as good (or bad) as if the speaker, as Paul says, “shall speak into the air”.
What I have observed and experienced, however, is that you don’t use this diversity of tongues as and when you will, but it is strictly by the Spirit.
Spiritual groanings
There are times during prayer when an individual can start groaning, sighing deeply or even crying — and perhaps not even understand why that is happening. But it is very biblical. It’s yet another diversity of praying in the spirit.
We are guided by Romans 8:26-27, “[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Any Christian who desires can speak in tongues.
If not, Paul wouldn’t have made this bold declaration in 1 Corinthians 14:18: “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all . . .”
He expected all the believers at Corinth to speak in
tongues.
Likewise with proper teaching, all believers can speak in
tongues.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through
knowledge.
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
