Gift Of Speaking In Tongues# Zac Poonen

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God in one's native language before seeking the gift of speaking in tongues. They caution against the prevalence of fake tongues, urging listeners not to be deceived by meaningless babble. Genuine tongues, according to the speaker, are a true language meant for praising God privately rather than showing off publicly. The speaker shares a personal experience of using tongues as a private, heartfelt form of communication with God, rather than a public display.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Many people seek the gift of speaking in unknown tongues, but its purpose is to praise God.
• 💬 If you're not praising God in your mother tongue, there's no reason for Him to give you another tongue.
• 🗣️ Complaining and grumbling instead of praising God in your own language diminishes the need for a new language.
• 🔍 95% of people who speak in tongues might be faking it, just babbling without meaning.
• 🚫 Babbling in tongues without genuine intent is seen as an insult to God.
• 🗣️ Genuine tongues are a language, not meaningless sounds.
• 🙌 True praise in tongues comes from a deep longing to praise God beyond the limitations of one's own language.
• 💒 Speaking in tongues is more about personal, private praise rather than showing off in public.
• 🤫 The gift of tongues may be used in private worship and not necessarily in public settings.
• 💖 Speaking in tongues can be a precious, intimate language between the individual and God.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of speaking in unknown tongues according to the script?

The primary purpose of speaking in unknown tongues is to praise God. It is seen as a way of expressing one's deep devotion and love for God.

Why does the speaker suggest that God might not give someone the gift of tongues?

The speaker suggests that God might not give someone the gift of tongues if they are not already praising and thanking Him in their native language. If someone is mostly complaining or grumbling instead of praising God, they may not receive the gift.

What does the speaker say about the authenticity of people speaking in tongues in Pentecostal churches?

The speaker claims that 95% of people speaking in tongues in Pentecostal churches are fake, simply babbling like a baby. They suggest that much of what is heard is not genuine and is an insult to God.

How does the speaker describe genuine tongues?

Genuine tongues are described as a real language that is used to praise God. The speaker emphasizes that it should be a meaningful form of communication, not just babbling.

What is the speaker’s personal experience with speaking in tongues?

The speaker mentions that they do speak in tongues, but they do so in private as a precious love language between themselves and God. They do not use it in public.

What advice does the speaker give to those who desire the gift of tongues?

The speaker advises that those who desire the gift of tongues should first focus on genuinely praising God in their own language. If they truly long to praise God from their heart, they might then receive the gift of tongues.

How does the speaker differentiate between using tongues in private versus public settings?

The speaker believes that tongues are primarily for private use, as a personal form of communication with God. They suggest that it should not be used to show off or join a 'club.'

Why does the speaker reference the Apostle Paul in relation to speaking in tongues?

The speaker references Paul to emphasize that it is better to speak in a known language in church, as Paul himself said he would rather do. However, the speaker also notes that Paul was grateful to speak in tongues more than others, likely in private.

What does the speaker suggest is the wrong motivation for seeking the gift of tongues?

The wrong motivation for seeking the gift of tongues is to show off or to feel like part of an exclusive group. The speaker argues that the gift should be sought out of a genuine desire to praise God.

What does the speaker imply about the nature of the relationship between a person and God when speaking in tongues?

The speaker implies that speaking in tongues is a personal and intimate form of communication with God, akin to a love language between a person and their 'bridegroom' (God).

Outlines

00:00

🙏 The True Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

This paragraph addresses the widespread desire for the gift of speaking in unknown tongues, emphasizing that it is primarily a way to praise God. The speaker argues that if a person is not already praising and thanking God in their native language, there is no reason for God to grant them the gift of another language. The speaker highlights the hypocrisy of some who seek this gift while continuing to complain and grumble. They assert that most instances of speaking in tongues, particularly in Pentecostal churches, are fake, likening them to babbling. The genuine gift of tongues, according to the speaker, is a true language that serves as a precious, private means of communication with God, rather than a public display or a means to join a 'club.'

Keywords

💡Unknown Tongues

Unknown tongues refer to the spiritual gift of speaking in a language that is not known to the speaker. In the context of the video, this term is used to describe a way of praising God that some people seek. However, the speaker emphasizes that if one is not praising God in their known language, there is no reason for God to grant them the ability to speak in unknown tongues. The concept highlights the importance of sincerity in worship.

💡Praising God

Praising God involves expressing reverence, gratitude, and admiration towards God. The speaker suggests that true praise should come from the heart in one's mother tongue before seeking other means, such as speaking in unknown tongues. This emphasizes the value of genuine worship over seeking spiritual gifts for their own sake.

💡Grumbling and Complaining

Grumbling and complaining refer to expressing dissatisfaction and discontent, particularly in the context of one's relationship with God. The speaker criticizes those who seek the gift of tongues while frequently grumbling, suggesting that such attitudes are incompatible with sincere praise. This highlights a key point that one's attitude towards God should be one of gratitude rather than complaint.

💡Fake Tongues

Fake tongues refer to instances where individuals pretend to speak in unknown tongues without the genuine spiritual experience. The speaker claims that 95% of what is seen as speaking in tongues is actually manufactured and insincere, likening it to babbling like a baby. This concept warns against the deception and misuse of spiritual gifts for show rather than true worship.

💡Babbling

Babbling, in this context, refers to speaking in a way that lacks meaning or spiritual authenticity, especially when imitating the act of speaking in tongues. The speaker dismisses much of what is heard in Pentecostal churches as 'absolute garbage,' emphasizing that genuine tongues should be a recognizable language, not meaningless sounds.

💡Language

Language here refers to the structured system of communication used in genuine speaking in tongues. The speaker stresses that authentic tongues should be a real language that can be distinguished from mere babbling. The emphasis on language underscores the idea that spiritual gifts should be meaningful and purposeful.

💡Private Worship

Private worship is the personal and intimate practice of worshipping God outside of public settings. The speaker suggests that the gift of tongues should be used in private worship rather than for public display.

Highlights

Unknown tongues are a way of praising God.

If you are not praising God in your native language, why should God give you another tongue?

Most people complain and grumble instead of praising God.

God may not give you the gift of tongues if you are not using your current language to praise Him.

95% of speaking in tongues in Pentecostal churches is fake, and it's often just babbling.

Genuine tongues are a language, not meaningless babble.

Paul emphasized that it is better to speak in a known language in church.

The gift of tongues is meant for private communication with God, not for public display.

The gift of tongues may be given to those who deeply long to praise God beyond their native language.

Speaking in tongues should not be used to show off or to fit in with a particular group.

The speaker uses the gift of tongues privately and considers it a precious love language with God.

Public use of tongues is not emphasized by the speaker.

Genuine praise in tongues comes from a deep desire to honor God.

Manufactured or fake speaking in tongues is an insult to God.

True speaking in tongues is a sincere form of worship, not just noise.

Transcripts

there are many people who are seeking

for the gift of speaking in unknown

tongues but unknown tongues is a way of

praising

God and if you're not praising and

thanking God in your mother tongue

English or Tamil or whatever is your

language why should God give you another

tongue you're not praising him in the

one tongue you have in the one language

you have you're not praising God you're

complaining most of the time and

grumbling God says you don't need then

you say how about all these other people

who speak in tongues are also grumbling

and complaining I tell you 95% of it is

fake they just manufacture it Babble

like some baby don't be deceived by it

I've heard it in a lot of Pentecostal

churches it is absolute garbage it's an

insult to stand before God and say all

that genuine tongues is a

language and you know when a man is

speaking a language or whether he

babbling I praise God in unknown tongues

and it's a language I don't Babble to

God in in like Paul said in the church I

would rather speak in a known language

but otherwise I thank God I speak in

tongues more than all of you so that

comes if you if you're really longing

and longing to praise God and you praise

him in whatever language you have and

say Lord that's not enough if I want to

really praise you from my heart then

he'll give you the gift of tongues to

speak to him not to show off to other

people if your aim is to say I've joined

the

club

no he'll give you an ability to praise

him in private and you may never use it

in public at all I don't use it in

public but it's a very precious love

language between me and my bridegroom