Being able to interpret your own tongues is a huge advantage when you have the gift of speaking in tongues. Even if you’ve never interpreted your tongues before, the tips I’m going to share with you will put you in a good position to start interpreting your tongues.
Many praying-in-tongues believers assume that interpreting tongues is hard. In real sense, it is just as simple as speaking in tongues. It is just that very little information is ever shared about interpreting tongues. But I’m determined to make sure that is no longer the case.
For a long time, I was curious about interpreting tongues. I was speaking in tongues, and I felt it was only fair that I also get the ability to interpret tongues.
I prayed to the Lord countless times about the ability to interpret tongues. In some prayers, I asked for the gift. In others, I asked to understand the gift so that I could teach others.
Eventually, I got the ability to interpret tongues. I’ve interpreted my own tongues uncountable times. I’ve also interpreted the tongues of others on many occasions.
In fact, the interpretation of tongues played a crucial role in helping me get a wife, but that is a story for another day. If you want details, ask me in person.
With that kind of CV, I believe you can trust me to give you tips that will help you interpret your own tongues. Right?
Let’s dive in…
1. Flashing Images
If you ever pray in tongues and see flashing images, you’ve had an opportunity to interpret your tongues.
You see, the Holy Spirit does His best to inform us regarding various spiritual matters while praying in tongues. Sometimes, there are no words to describe spiritual circumstances.
As a result, the Holy Spirit decides to show us visions. The visions start off with flashing images.
The Holy Spirit expects us to pay attention to the images and dig deeper for more information.
Unfortunately, many believers brush off the flashing images and never think there is anything more to them.
The right action to take when you see those flashing images is to tell the Holy Spirit what you’ve seen, no matter how faint it was.
Take the example of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:11-14. The Bible says…
Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” And the word of the Lord came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” Then the Lord said to me: “Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land.
The Lord asked Jeremiah for a verbal confirmation of what he had seen before giving him the explanation. It is a way for God to make sure you are paying attention.
When you see a flashing image, say, “Holy Spirit, I have seen xyz, what does it mean?” Then continue praying in tongues.
The explanation will give you a good understanding of what your tongues are about.
Are we together up to there? If you’ve understood, raise your right hand and say “Hallelujah!”
I’m just joking.
2. Scriptures in your mind
If you ever remember scriptures while praying in tongues, you’ve had a good opportunity to interpret your tongues.
The Holy Spirit uses scriptures to give us hints of what our tongues mean. Just like with flashing images, the Holy Spirit doesn’t give the full meaning of our tongues upfront.
He gives us hints to see if we are paying attention. If He sees that you are paying attention, He will explain further. If you don’t pay attention, He will not give any further hints.
If you want to understand your tongues, open the Bible and read the scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Then ask the Holy Spirit to tell you what those scriptures mean.
The Holy Spirit may give you more scriptures to make it easier for you to get the message, or He may outrightly explain to you what the scriptures mean.
Take the example of Jesus and the inquisitive lawyer in Luke 10:25-28. The Bible says…
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
What a coincidence that the lawyer knew the exact scripture to quote when Jesus asked him about what is written in the law.
Well, there is no coincidence there. The man got the scripture from the Holy Spirit, and Jesus only needed to affirm that what the Holy Spirit had revealed to the man was indeed the correct answer.
What makes you think the scriptures that pop up in your mind are not given to you by the Holy Spirit?
Pay attention to them, and you will understand what your tongues mean.
3. Involuntary English Words
Have you ever prayed in tongues and found yourself speaking certain words in English repeatedly?
Well, that was the Holy Spirit helping you understand the tongues that you were speaking.
Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us English words and phrases and makes us repeat them many times in the middle of praying in tongues. When He does that, it is usually because He wants us to understand what we are praying about.
In many cases, the words don’t give a full picture of what the tongues are about, but only a glimpse.
Take the example in the book of Daniel 5:25. The Bible says…
“And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
The four words directly translate to numbered, numbered, weighed, divided. You can barely understand what they mean, but at the same time, you know they are not meaningless words.
It took the Holy Spirit to explain to Daniel that the writing is about the kingdom. Before that, everyone was just puzzled.
In a similar fashion, when the Holy Spirit chooses to give the interpretation of your tongues in a language you understand, He will give you words that point to the meaning but need explanation for you to understand.
If you acknowledge the words and ask for an explanation, the Holy Spirit will give you the full meaning of your tongues.
Conclusion
I hope these tips will help you get started with interpreting tongues. Many people get the hints, but very few know what to do with them.
At least for you now, you know what to do when you get the hints.
If you would like further help with interpreting your tongues, talk to me.
God bless you!