It seems that intelligence is good if we can still be surprised and in awe of how God can use us, even in secular things.
I think what you are describing is humility. If one can consider intelligence as incidental, it is possible not to lose perspective.
i worked on a crisis hotline for a few years and when I started, I noticed in a log book (where people could leave messages for others on different shifts) a guy who was leaving mentioned that when he started, he always said a prayer for guidance each shift. I thought this was particularly sound advice and decided I would copy the practice.
Over the years I would notice that I could say things that were particularly helpful and even profound that I knew were not coming from me. In mentioning this experience once to a pastor, he mentioned that he had observed the same thing when preaching.
I see intelligence as simply a tool. One can become arrogant as a master carpenter because he has a great hammer or he can be grateful that God has given him the tools to do great work.
I think what you are describing is humility. If one can consider intelligence as incidental, it is possible not to lose perspective.
i worked on a crisis hotline for a few years and when I started, I noticed in a log book (where people could leave messages for others on different shifts) a guy who was leaving mentioned that when he started, he always said a prayer for guidance each shift. I thought this was particularly sound advice and decided I would copy the practice.
Over the years I would notice that I could say things that were particularly helpful and even profound that I knew were not coming from me. In mentioning this experience once to a pastor, he mentioned that he had observed the same thing when preaching.
I see intelligence as simply a tool. One can become arrogant as a master carpenter because he has a great hammer or he can be grateful that God has given him the tools to do great work.
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