© 09 Colin Melbourne
Understanding messages in tongues
Q: Do people who speak in tongues know what they are saying? We have a church member who speaks in tongues, and then interprets, as if God Himself is speaking, using first person pronouns. How do I know if this is real prophecy?
A: First the Holy Spirit gives the message in tongues, then He gives the interpretation to whoever He chooses. It may be the person who spoke in tongues, (who is to pray for the interpretation himself, 1 Co. 14:13) or it may be somebody else. God decides. 1 Co. 12:10-11.