True Intellect Requires Emotional Maturity
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ”
Throughout my life, I felt insecure about not being brilliant. I have a good IQ, but I am far from Mensa. At times, I’ve felt intimidated by the fantastic memory and sharp intellectual acumen that set some people apart. For example, I was never able to remember and quote Shakespeare at will. Nor was I able to think methodically the way some friends were able to contemplate. On the other hand, I’m sure you’ve also known individuals who seem to learn everything very quickly. I can understand, but I’ve had to work hard to retain information.
Yet, through many years of ministry, I’ve learned that many brilliant people were not particularly successful. Similarly, I’ve known many individuals with average to a little- better-than-average intelligence who have become successful, by whatever definition you choose. More than pure intellect is often required to make a difference in this world.
To put high intellect to use, one often requires a healthy emotional intelligence. If a person is continually at odds and cannot work with others, their brilliance will go unfulfilled because almost all meaningful progress in any area requires mutual support. We do not live in a vacuum.
The same is true of the faith. We can quote all the right theologians or memorize the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, but that does not provide a faith that makes a profound difference for God. The Christian faith is not lived in a vacuum. Churches have struggled for centuries because leaders and church people with spiritual and emotional immaturity have severely damaged the faith life of hundreds of millions of people through the years. Today, pray for churches to affirm the emotional intellect of their congregation, so the blessings of the Gospel may be heard and shared meaningfully. Intellect without emotional maturity becomes little more than trivia, ultimately.
