DO NOT LET YOUR STRENGTH BECOME YOUR WEAKNESS

Use Mental Abilities Wisely

A good mind is certainly a fine asset. Still, it could become a weakness if it leads to overconfidence or cause us to develop an inflated opinion of ourselves, especially if others commend us excessively or flatter us. Or we might develop an intellectual view of God's Word an Bible-based study publication

Overconfidence may surface in various ways. For example, when someone with a fine mind receives a speaking assignment in the Christian congregation, perhaps a public discourse or a talk in the Theocratic Ministry School, he may leave preparation to the last minute, maybe not even praying for Jehovah's blessing. Rather, he trusts in his reserve of knowledge and in his ability to think on his feet. Natural ability may mask his laxness for a time, but without Jehovah's full blessing,his spiritual progress would slow down perhaps even stop. What a waste of a fine gift! -Proverbs 3:5, 6; James 3:1.

Someone of keen mind might also take and intellectual view of the Bible and Bible study aids. However, such knowledge only "puffs up," or inflates, the ego like a balloon; it does not 'build up' loving Christian relationships. (1Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 5:26) On the other hand, the spiritual man, regardless of his mental abilities always prays for and trusts in God's spirit. His strength becomes ever more an asset as he grows in love, humility, knowledge and wisdom-and all in pleasing proportion. -Colossians 1:9, 10.

Ability would also become a weakness if through it we develop an inflated opinion of ourselves, revealing a lack of modesty. A gifted person-and any who adulate him-may forget that Jehovah "does not regard any who are wise in their own heart," gifted though they may be. (Job 37:24) "Wisdom is with the modest ones," says God's Word. (Proverbs 11:2) The apostle Paul, though highly intelligent and well educated, said to the Corinthians: "I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom . . . I came to you in weakness and in fear with much trembling; and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that your faith might be, not men's wisdom, but in God's power." -1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

The truly wise person is not fooled by the world's view of intellect, nor by its definition of success. So rather than using his talents to earn the plaudits of men or to amass worldly riches, he gives his best to the One who gave him his life and abilities. (1 John 2:15-17) To that end he keeps Kingdom interests first in his life, becoming like a fruitful "tree planted by streams of water." Thanks to Jehovah's blessing, not to his own natural talents, "everything he does will succeed." -Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 6:33.

Next time: Let Christianity Add to Your Strength

Watchtower, 1999