Anonymous asked: my question regards SPEAKING IN TONGUES. i've heard mixed comments... some people have told me they believe it is okay to speak in tongues. but if it is done in front of people/congregation/someone in particular, it should be interpreted. if that is so, what would you say about kim walker's spontaneous songs about when she speaks in tongues?

There is a lot of different beliefs about this. It involves a difference between speaking in tongues, the manifestation or gift, and the prayer language (between one’s self and God). 1 Cor 14:15 Paul talks about singing in the spirit and also in understanding. Kim Walker is singing in the spirit.

I believe people who have never been around the gifts of the Spirit in operation are more easily confused because they don’t know how they work. The biggest confusion is the difference between a word in tongues and praying in the spirit. We’ve had some people offended who visited my church because we were praying over a sick person and some were praying in tongues. There was a couple who visited together who we’re upset there was no interpretation. However this was not a word, but prayer, and was not done loudly. When someone gives a word in tongues it is known. I’ve given a word in tongues before in a church that had never experienced that. The Holy Spirit witnessed with the others what was going on and no music was played so that the message would be heard. Everyone remained quiet as another interpreted and after that interpretation someone received a confirmation through scripture.

-Tyler