When the gift of tongues is prayed for, it may be satisfying

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III



When the gift of tongues is prayed for, it may be satisfying the pride of those who seek vainglory. It is an appealing gift for the old self. It is not appealing to the spiritual person. What is worse than this is when those who have the gift of tongues despise and look down upon those who do not have this gift and declare them to be of a low level, although the Holy Bible says that the gift of tongues is not for all (1Cor.14). Does this conceit not lead us to doubt in those who claim to have this gift?
If a person comes to you and says: "Come, I will commend to you this experience", tell him: "I do not deserve these gifts. I have not the meekness of heart that can bear them. If God wills to give me a gift, He will give me without me asking for it. Then I will ask Him to give me humility to protect me from pride. If God gives me a gift I will not speak about it and I will not declare it to people so as not to expose myself to spiritual combats above my measure."