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Speaking in Intellectual Humility
I remember an embarrassing situation one night at a business meeting with a group of executives.
One man, who considered himself an authority on international oil because he read the newspaper, was popping off about the oil situation and its easy resolution. Unbeknownst to him another man in the room had just returned from chairing an international conference of major oil companies. After the first fellow finished spouting off, proving his ignorance, this man quietly but effectively showed him to be the fool he was.
I said to myself, I hope that never happens to me!
I left that meeting determined to make sure that in my speaking I remember someone may be there who knows an awful lot more about the subject than I do. The memory of that business meeting has stayed in my mind and tempered many remarks I've been tempted to make.
On the other hand, sometimes speakers are too impressed with who's in the audience.
The other night I was in a church listening to the preacher when a well-known university president slipped into the sanctuary. The preacher changed his style considerably. I could tell he was preaching for the benefit of this one individual. He went from preaching to giving an intellectual performance, trying to impress with his learning. He seemed to forget the rest of the audience.
When some prominent person is present, the great temptation is to speak to him alone. But that's prostitution. That's spending other people's time simply to make a personal impression.
But as I sat listening suddenly the thought occurred to me, Doesn't he realize God is listening? When God is listening, that's about as big a celebrity as anyone is going to have. And isn't He always our ultimate audience? So in the back of my mind, I always try to remember that God is present. And if He isn't, maybe we ought to dismiss early.
