We've been reflecting on your thoughts about the gift of tongues, and we want to share our perspective with you. While it's true that many congregations emphasize this gift, we believe it's important to remember that the Bible tells us about many other spiritual gifts as well, like prophecy, healing, and helping others (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Each of these gifts is given to build up the church and serve others, not to prove salvation or compare our faith (1 Corinthians 12:7, 13:1-13).
We believe that the evidence of being saved is not found in speaking in tongues, but in the transformation of our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). This fruit is the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Spirit produces in us (Galatians 5:22-23).
So, let's not focus on whether we speak in tongues or not, but on how we're growing in love and service to others. Let's encourage one another in the gifts we do have, and trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Let's pray for one another, that we would all grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).