When I
was a kid, I learned a big word that was fun to pronounce:
“antidisestablishmentarianism.” What a mouthful! I recently took the time to
look it up. The dictionary defines it as “the doctrine or political position
that opposes the withdrawal of state recognition of an established church.” The
definition is almost as difficult as the term itself. Neither I nor my school
friends knew what it meant. But using the big word made me look knowledgeable.
When the
apostle Paul ministered to people, he didn’t try to impress others. In his
letter to the Corinthians, he wrote: “When I came to you, [I] did not come with
excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God” (1 Cor. 2:1).
“Excellence of speech” is the translation of Greek words meaning “high-sounding
words” or “pompous speech.” This implies using words to exalt self instead of
to instruct others. Paul was a brilliant scholar who expressed the deep things
of God in Scripture. Yet he did not use lofty language to elevate his
self-importance.
As we
grow in our understanding of God’s Word, let’s follow Paul’s example and guard
against parading knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Instead, let’s use well-chosen
words that build up and encourage others.
It’s not
the words we know that show wisdom, but how and when we use them. (RBC)
