Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 13

CONFIDENCE AND POISE

When Jehovah through his angel called Moses at the burning bush to go down to Egypt and serve him as a public speaker, Moses, mindful of his shortcomings, first self-consciously tried to make excuses. "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent [a man of words, margin], neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Such was negative thinking. Jehovah reproved him: "Who hath made man's mouth? . . . have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Exod. 4:10-12) Such words inspire confidence, and remind Jehovah's witnesses of the promise of Christ Jesus: "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or to gainsay." (Luke 21:15, Am. Stan. Ver.) Further confidence is imparted to the gospel-preacher, and he feels able to speak forth. Such a way of thinking is positive thinking.

The negative way of thinking is one of the greatest drawbacks in public speaking. To think about one's own self, one's inability, one's weaknesses, is negative thinking. Therefore, stop thinking negatively. Think positively and become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Rely upon the backing of the Almighty, and trust in his everlasting arms to hold up and strengthen you. Self-confidence is not the goal; it is an abomination in the sight of the Lord. Instead of self-confidence acquire strong and ever stronger confidence in Jehovah. After that, do your part. If so, the Lord will do his.

The speaker's part is to prepare well. He will then be confident in his subject. He will have full confidence in the Lord and full confidence in his subject, knowing for a certainty it is the truth, that it will be helpful to the listeners, and means their very lives. Without this con-

fidence, preparation, knowledge and conviction one will never feel comfortable on the platform.

If one acts confidently his confidence will increase, and his attack of audience fear will give way to real courage and composure. Stand erect. This is a posture of confidence. Don't stand slumped and hunchbacked. One cannot instill any confidence in his audience by an apologetic carriage and browbeaten facial expression. Look the audience in the eye, fearlessly, friendly, intently, and begin to talk like a veteran of the platform though you may be a novice. Take to heart what the Almighty said to Jeremiah, who was but a youth and a beginner in public speaking: "Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD." —Jer. 1: 7, 8.

If one concentrates on his subject he will forget himself. This cannot be overemphasized, because it is so essential to good public speaking, especially for Jehovah's messengers, who should keep their own persons in the background. If the Theocratic minister cannot avoid thinking of himself, then he should think of himself merely as a telegraph boy who has been sent out to deliver an urgent "wire". He is not the thing; he knows it. That's why the people pay so little attention to the messenger boy. It is the telegram in which they are interested. The message, that is the thing. So keep the mind exclusively on the urgent message. Believe in its urgency, then talk full of sincere conviction, full of that warm feeling generated by a faith and conviction that the Lord's Word means life to the listeners; and it does, not only their present life, but their eternal life. If one does that he will forget himself and think only of the message he is commissioned to deliver.

Closely allied to confidence is poise. Poise is complete self-control on the part of a speaker. That means a well-balanced state of mind, a composure of emotions. Poise means literally balance. It is an emotional balance, a calm-

ness, an even serenity amidst disturbing circumstances. Poise means a firmness of spirit which is not easily ruffled or upset. A speaker who is poised is outwardly calm and at ease, but inwardly there is a strong potential force ready to be released at the proper time. Poise, therefore, means controlled thinking before speaking and acting.

Poise must not be confused with "easy going", much less with sleepiness, apathy, mental indifference, or lack of emotion. That is not poise. That is comparable to a rundown mainspring in a phonograph. There is no strength or tension left in that spring. Poise is like a wound-up mainspring. There is a potential power which is held under control ready to be released at the proper time for good use. This is poise. It, together with the Lord's assurance of grace to his servants in every time of need, will strengthen one with calm confidence and a certain sense of power and even reserve of power, because he knows God's spirit or energizing force is working in him to do Jehovah's will and good pleasure.

How does one acquire poise on the platform? Mainly, by much speaking experience. But there is a short cut to that desirable aim or end. It is conscious repose; that is, a repose or freedom from excitement, which is acquired by effort. Make this effort during platform speeches, of course, but not only then. By a conscious effort toward self-control of words and actions in daily conversation with fellow witnesses, with other people at their doors, in their homes, offices, shops, stores, on the street, etc., one can acquire that desired quality, poise. One can practice it daily, and not just when his turn comes to deliver a speech. Good conversation requires poise and animation, and by improving his conversation he will also improve his public speaking, which at its best is nothing but heightened, intensified, enlarged conversation. Seek to acquire poise in daily life, and it will not desert you on the platform.