Interpretation of Tongues

The gift of interpretation is used in conjunction with the gift of speaking in tongues. It is the term used when someone explains what has been said by the person speaking in tongues (a supernatural, unknown language – or a prayer language). Since such language can not be actually “translated”, as a foreign learned language can be, the term is “interpretation.” The reason this is done is to edify (spiritually encourage) the church.

We are warned in the Bible that there are times to and not to operate under these gifts of speaking and interpreting tongues. 1 Cor 14:27-28 says “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. …”

Think of it this way, if a business man goes to a meeting with a banker in search of a loan and they both speak different languages and have no one there with them to explain each others words to the other, then nothing in that meeting will be accomplished. These two people may as well be talking to a wall. But if someone else is there who can “put the meaning behind the words”, then they can come to an understanding, and the deal can be closed.

Gift of Faith

Faith, as described in the Gifts of the Spirit, is a bit different than the typical description of Faith, which to every man is given a good measure (Romans 12:3).

The Gift of Faith is having an uncanny, unwavering ‘knowledge’ that God not only can, but WILL act. There will be absolutely nothing or no one who will be able to convince this person otherwise, especially in a crisis. Regardless of how long it may take to achieve the break-through, this person does not give up. This is the strongest form of faith that humanly exists. The person operating under this gift will fully and completely trust God, without any doubt, and will righteously stand, very firmly planted, on Gods Word. This person will also be quick to quote scripture and biblical reference over situations; be it mental, physical, financial, or in regards to others whom they are standing in agreement with. This person may also have tendency to become irritated with others who “dont get it”.

Those operating under “typical faith” (for lack of a better descriptive term) will often find themselves faced with doubt. They may or may not adherently stand on scripture and so forth, but the major difference is that this person will generally have a tougher time in remaining as firmly planted in comparison to the person operating under this gift.

Other traits of a person blessed with the Gift of Faith are quick to pray, insightful, and quick to act. They remain trusting, positive, assured, and hopeful. They also are quick to give thanks and praise to God for all things.

Pt. 6 ~ Faith

WHY BOTHER?

[In retrospect, I should had back-tracked a bit and posted this first. However, it is what it is and so I will continue from where I am.]

We all need faith. It can come in many forms, and for many reasons. For instance, some have faith in their marriage, believing that their spouse is their true partner for life and that person was divinely appointed to be with them. Others have faith in their children, believing that they are honest and caring individuals, who – if taught right, will mature into intelligent, productive adults. And then, theres the kind of faith that is in relation to this blog; the faith which people have in regards to the after-life, be it whatever basis of religion that they hold dear… and as such, is the type of faith that I”ll be writing about.

The key to any and every kind of faith is this: BELIEF! The importance of that is because faith of any nature is literally based upon what one believes or is believing in. As an older, then-popular country song goes, “…if you dont stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Without belief, we will go through life with no specific direction or purpose in life. Regardless to what kind of faith you have, the Bible gives us a very good definition of what faith means; (Hebrews 11:1) “For faith is the substance of things hoped for and the assurance of what we do not see.” Again, that tells us that faith is what we believe in, even though we have not seen the results come to pass – we believe it will happen. We fully trust in our hearts that if we believe it – we can receive it! -OR- Another way of looking at it is to ‘know’ in our hearts that if we want it bad enough, a way will be made to make it happen.

Faith is one of the most powerful inner-sources that we have. It gives us the will-power to cope with difficult times as well as the motivation to move towards something better. It gives us a purpose. It gives us hope. It gives us reassurance that “things will get better” and that, some how – some way, our dreams and desires will come true. It gives us the courage to carry on, and the ability to strive towards the goal having a better life and being a better person.

In God’s opinion, which is repeatedly explained throughout the Bible, He tells us “…without faith, it is impossible to please him” (Heb 11:6) and as Christians, within our instructions of how to become (as our desire is to be) more Christ-like, He says “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.” (Matt 21:21). Now think about that verse for a minute… if you have no doubt, and you say to a mountain to be cast into the sea, and it then it happens (which it will – if you have NO doubt & command it to be so in the name of Jesus)… doesn’t that alone tell us that if we want it bad enough, if we *truly* 101% believe it will happen, then it will happen! How powerful is that?!! Oh! OK… I get it… you do not believe it to be possible, for a mountain to fall into the sea simply because you, by the name of Jesus, command it to do so? Hhmmm… ok! Lets look at another popular scripture then. In this story, we are told that the disciples are in a boat with Jesus. As they get further out into the water, Jesus falls asleep and a bad storm comes in. Waves are crashing over the sides of the boat – which also lets you know that the boat had to have been rocking and reeling back and forth because of all this commotion. Now, if you have ever been out on a boat and such a storm rolls in, you will have a very clear picture of what surely was going through the minds of these men. “Et-Oh!” only mildly sums it up. But wait… Jesus is on board with them! Jesus – the One who can move mountains, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, cast out demons, and raise the dead! Well… Glory be to God! (literally) – help is on the way!… and so, in such a panic stricken state of mind, as the story goes on to say, one of these men yell out to Him; “Lord! Save us! We are going down!”. So, what does Jesus do? He probably, very calmly rolls over, opens his eyes to see what is going on, and -without any anxious excitement in his voice at all (more than likely there was only a tone of peace, and maybe disappointment and tiredness in his voice) – and he replies, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked (to speak against or command) the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matt 8:26)

As Jesus ‘had to’ ask His disciples repeatedly during the time He lived, taught, and walked with them on earth, the same question still rings true today. “Why do you have so little faith?” The answer to this question is also the same today as what it was over 2,000 years ago. Mark 9:23 explains it very clearly: “IF YOU CAN ONLY BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVES!”