Angels: Ministering Spirits

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Agreed. There can be a thin line. You'll notice that the further you get along this narrow path... the more narrow it becomes. The more narrow it becomes... the more easily one can stray off the path. But progression shouldn't be feared. It should be embraced.

When I began to interpret tongues or employ the gift of knowledge, it was scary. My biggest fear was, "What if I'm wrong?" I learned to abandon that fear long ago. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I pray God correct me and bring me around. But I will not stand still refusing to experience the spiritual realities that are ready and waiting for the saints of God.

Sadly... that makes me rather controversial in most conventional churches today. LOL

How would you know if you were wrong on an interpretation of tongues?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

How would you know if you were wrong on an interpretation of tongues?

I'm assuming that you haven't interpreted tongues before.

I'll share an example of what I experience with interpreting tongues...

It's an interpretation not a translation. For example, once I "interpreted" tongues and the feeling of the message conveyed in Spirit stuck with me long after the service. While driving home I realized that I could have worded my interpretation of the Spirit's message better. The interpreter is often limited by their own vocabulary and ability to convey a thought.

So, on that occasion... I was slightly off because I realized that my interpretation could have been better.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Have you ever interpreted tongues? I'll share an example of what I experienced here...

It's an interpretation not a translation. For example, once I "interpreted" tongues and the feeling of the message conveyed in Spirit stuck with me long after the service. While driving home I realized that I could have worded my interpretation of the Spirit's message better. The interpreter is often limited by their own vocabulary and ability to convey a thought.

So, on that occasion... I was slightly off because I realized that my interpretation could have been better.

I mean, how would you know if you were completely off or not? A feeling? Is there any way to judge whether an interpretation given in the meeting is correct or not? Any way for the rest of the church to judge?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I mean, how would you know if you were completely off or not? A feeling? Is there any way to judge whether an interpretation given in the meeting is correct or not? Any way for the rest of the church to judge?

If I felt I was completely off, it would trouble me. The emotion and message behind the utterance just wouldn't match in my mind with the interpretation I gave.

If someone with the gift of interpretation feels that something is off...those who have the gift of interpretation can share among themselves their distinct interpretations. Often the Spirit will bear witness to who was closest to what the Spirit was saying. Sometimes one might get far more than the others out of a message in tongues. I know a guy who received a 20 minute interpretation from just three to four syllables spoken in tongues.

As a dad, I explain it like this. Parents can hear their baby cry from across a room. They can normally sense if the cry is because the child is hungry, cold, uncomfortable, trying to go potty, scared, in pain, sick, or just wanting to be held. It's a lot like that. The child's cries don't make any linguistic sense... but you "feel" what they mean in the core of your being. For me... interpreting tongues is like that.

So little Johnny cries, "Waaaa...awa...awa...awa..."

A seasoned parent can sense or "feel" the interpretation...

"Mommy, Daddy... I'm starving. I need milk. I need milk. I need milk."

The other parent might interpret it differently...

"Hey, guys, I'm hungry. I want food."

A third parent might be waaaaayyyyy off with the interpretation... because she's feeling chilled she imposes her own feelings onto the cry...

"Awwww...I'm cold mommy. Cover me up."

Notice... they are interpretations based on feelings relating to the cry. None is an exact translation. One interpretation is even clouded by personal thoughts and feelings.

Also note... Johnny's feelings and message is always right... even if the parents are wrong or adding too much verbiage.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

If I felt I was completely off, it would trouble me. The emotion and message behind the utterance just wouldn't match in my mind with the interpretation I gave.

Does this not seem too subjective to you? I mean, judging inspired utterances, interpretations specifically, based entirely on what the interpreter 'feels'? I understand what you are saying, but I also know that we can deceive ourselves. Sometimes something feels 'so right' when it simply isn't. Knowhuttamean?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Does this not seem too subjective to you? I mean, judging inspired utterances, interpretations specifically, based entirely on what the interpreter 'feels'? I understand what you are saying, but I also know that we can deceive ourselves. Sometimes something feels 'so right' when it simply isn't. Knowhuttamean?

Yes, and I agree. That's why it takes being truly led of the Spirit, even in the effort to interpret tongues. God will often confirm the interpretation through another interpreter... or through circumstances that arise in the lives of those to whom it is directed after the interpretation.

But if we think about it... it's all very subjective... even preaching. Preachers often preach different messages, angles, and interpretations of Scripture too. Yet God confirms it through those who are knowledgeable regarding the various ways the text can be handled and through confirmation of the message in the lives of those two whom the preached Word is directed. Again, being led of the Spirit in preaching is also a key factor.

This is where head knowledge becomes of little value. One must... walk in the Spirit.