This topic has been long and widely debated among the Church, in fact, few topics in modern Christianity create more curiosity, confusion, debate, and hunger than the gifts of the Holy Spirit… especially the subject of speaking in tongues.
For some believers, it has become deeply personal and life-giving. For others, it has become associated with emotionalism, pressure, or experiences that felt confusing or manipulated.
But underneath all the opinions is a sincere question many believers are asking, in earnest... What does scripture actually teach?
The goal of this conversation is not to create division or elevate one group above another. The goal is to come back to the heart of scripture and understand the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
Because ultimately, the Holy Spirit was never sent to glorify spiritual experiences. He was sent to reveal Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:7 says: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” (KJV)
Other translations say it like this: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (NLT) Or “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (ESV)
This verse is incredibly important because it reveals several deep truths about the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the believer. First, notice the phrase: “to each is given.”
Paul is saying every genuine believer has been given something from the Holy Spirit. Not just pastors. Not just “super spiritual” people. Not just prophets or worship leaders. Every member of the Body of Christ has a purpose, a function, and a supernatural role.
Then Paul uses the phrase: “manifestation of the Spirit.” A manifestation is something made visible or revealed. In other words, the Holy Spirit within a believer is meant to become evident outwardly. Christianity was never designed to be merely intellectual or private. The Spirit of God actively expresses Himself through believers in ways that reveal Jesus to others.
The surrounding verses go on to list examples like:
wisdom
knowledge
faith
healing
miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues
These are not trophies for spiritual status. They are expressions of God’s presence working through ordinary people.
And then comes the reason for all of it: “for the common good” / “to profit withal.”
That means spiritual gifts are not about self-exaltation, attention, platform, or emotional hype. They are given to strengthen, encourage, heal, protect, guide, and build up others.
Paul is correcting a major misunderstanding in Corinth. Some believers were treating spiritual gifts like badges of superiority. But Paul reminds them: The point of the Spirit’s power is love and edification, not performance.
The chapter right after this, 1 Corinthians 13, is the famous “love chapter,” and that placement is not accidental. Paul is essentially saying, you can move in gifts and still completely miss the heart of God if love is absent.
There’s another beautiful implication here too, God intentionally distributes gifts differently among believers so the Church must depend on one another. Nobody carries everything alone. One may encourage. Another may discern. Another may teach. Another may intercede deeply. Another may carry unusual faith during hard moments. Together, the Body reflects Christ more fully.
This verse also destroys the idea that believers are meant to sit passively and only consume church services. The early Church functioned like a living body where every person carried something valuable from the Spirit.
One more important thing, the gifts themselves are not the ultimate goal- Jesus is.
The Holy Spirit does not manifest Himself to draw attention to people. He manifests to reveal Christ, glorify Christ, and minister the heart of the Father to people.
A healthy understanding of 1 Corinthians 12:7 produces:
humility instead of pride
service instead of performance
unity instead of competition
dependence on the Holy Spirit instead of mere religious routine
love for others instead of self-promotion
At its core, this verse is God saying, ‘I placed My Spirit inside My people, and I desire to reveal My goodness through them for the sake of others.’
So to bring all of this together, the short answer to our question today is: Many Christians believe every believer can receive a personal prayer language if they desire it and are open to the Holy Spirit. Others believe tongues are distributed selectively by the Spirit and are not given to every believer.
Both positions try to honor scripture. Here’s why the discussion exists. In 1 Corinthians 12:30, Paul asks, “Do all speak with tongues?” In Greek, the structure of the question strongly implies “no” as the expected answer. That is one reason many Christians conclude not every believer will speak in tongues.
However, others point out that Paul may specifically be talking about the public gift of tongues operating in a church gathering, not necessarily a personal devotional prayer language.
Then people look at passages like:
Acts 2
Acts 10
Acts 19
In each of those accounts, believers receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. Because of this pattern, many Pentecostal and charismatic believers conclude that tongues are available to all believers.
Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 14:5, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues…” And again later, “Forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
He even says “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” (1 Corinthians 14:4)
Because of verses like these, many believers distinguish between:
Public tongues requiring interpretation in a church gathering
A private prayer language used in personal prayer and worship
This distinction is where much of the theological divide rests. And there might not be an ultra-clear answer. However, I do believe that there are a few things we can safely take away from scripture:
The Holy Spirit absolutely gives gifts according to His will. Paul says this clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:11.
Tongues are biblical. Not emotional manipulation. Not automatically fake. Not something scripture tells believers to mock or fear.
Tongues are not presented as the measure of salvation. A person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by whether they speak in tongues.
Scripture never tells believers to strive anxiously or force it. The Holy Spirit is not a performance to achieve.
Scripture does encourage believers to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. Especially those that edify the church. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
And as we all know, every single one of these, and others, can be exasperated, faked, abused, misrepresented, and misunderstood.
That said, my encouragement would be this... you can NOT discount what scripture obviously and genuinely affirms. What we don’t understand, we should bring before God for His clarification and instruction.
If you desire a prayer language, bring that desire honestly to God without fear or pressure. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you completely and trust Him. Don’t try to manufacture an experience, but also don’t close yourself off because of skepticism or bad examples you’ve seen. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
The central goal is never tongues themselves, the goal is intimacy with Jesus, surrender to the Holy Spirit, and becoming more like Christ.
Some believers receive a prayer language suddenly and powerfully. Others quietly over time. Some deeply love Jesus and never report that experience at all. But the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work is ultimately not just gifts, it is transformed character, love, holiness, obedience, and the life of Christ being formed in someone.
A few closing points I would make also, are these:
Not one of us have all the answers. It’s a lie to believe otherwise.
Skepticism is NOT a gift of the Spirit, but faith and discernment are both powerful attributes of a believer.
God is a God of order, not confusion.
Just because you weren’t “taught or raised” a certain way, doesn’t mean it is wrong. Nor does your way of being taught mean that was the ‘right’ way.
We should all share the same goal, to experience, know, and share the love and truth of Jesus.
Those who truly want to experience all the God has to offer us, are the submitted, the committed, the obedient, the non-judgmental, the prayerful, and those who truly understand that we serve a God of no limits or restrictions... He is committed to His Word.
Hopefully this helps some! Just remember, Jesus is our high priest, He is our mentor. He is the perfect resource when looking for clarity of such things. Keep an open mind, seek answers in others and in prayer, and if you are genuine, you WILL receive the clarity that you desire.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
