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)
