Subject Matter Expert
May 26, 2023
I work in an environment where we use the term “subject matter expert” (SME). This is defined as someone who knows the most about the topic and has the most experience. It makes perfect sense to consult with someone who is very well versed and experienced. I rely on the SMEs on my team almost daily. In fact, on some topics, I am myself considered a SME. It is pretty flattering to have people ask for your opinion or perspective on a topic. But, then I came across 1 Corinthians 3:
18 Let no person deceive himself. If anyone among you supposes that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool [let him discard his worldly discernment and recognize himself as dull, stupid, and foolish, without true learning and scholarship], that he may become [really] wise. 19 For this world’s wisdom is foolishness (absurdity and stupidity) with God, for it is written, … 20 The Lord knows the thoughts and reasonings of the [humanly] wise and recognizes how futile they are. (AMPC)
This is not the only place in the Bible that points to God’s wisdom as different and superior to human wisdom. (See Isaiah 5:21 and Galatians 6:3.) This deflates my puffed-up SME pride. No matter how much I know about my topic, this verse reminds me that my human wisdom and expertise is foolishness. Ouch! Now, this doesn’t mean I should not try to become an SME. It doesn’t mean that I should not share my knowledge with others who ask. I must do that for the good of the organization.
What these verses remind me is that I am not “all that and a bag of chips,” as we used to say in the 1990s. These verses stress that we are to bring humility to our work and personal life. I don’t know everything, and I should not act or treat others like I do. Humility is an important leadership trait that Jesus, Peter, and Paul were known for. Being humble made them wildly successful in their work. It could work for me, too. I just have to remember not to cut God out of my work life.
I never have the whole picture in any of my work situations. I do not know the thoughts, intentions, or fears of those around me. While I could ask those questions, the likelihood of getting an honest or transparent answer is small. But, the Bible says that God knows these things. In 1 Chronicles 28:9, King David said:
“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him…” (NLT)
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that as a believer, I have the “mind of Christ.” This means that I can access the wisdom of God if I ask for it and approach Him humbly. If I bring God into the situation, I can get insights I would not otherwise know. Here are a few ways to bring God’s wisdom in your situation:
Read the Bible and reflect on what it says. If I didn’t know anything about Proverbs, I would not know that a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). How to deescalate a tense situation is taught in the Bible, which is full of wisdom I can apply to my everyday interactions.
Pray about what you will face that day. If I know I have a difficult meeting coming up, I pray for supernatural wisdom in what to say and when to keep my mouth shut. I ask God to help me hear the tone and reveal the context to me. This really calms me down and lets me move forward more confidently.
Check your heart before you act. Before I send an email that could stir up trouble, I pause and ask God if I should send it, keep drafting, or if I should wait until tomorrow to send it. God knows how people will take the news, so I can count on Him to help me avoid bad mistakes.
These may seem like small or insignificant practices, but they are not small things. They acknowledge God as the source of true wisdom and honor God by bringing Him into my situations. God made a way to put me in the job I have, so if He wants me there, He will help me succeed.