Words Have Meaning: Be Contextually Accurate
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.’ (Proverbs 18:21)
Proverbs 18 is an eclectic set of great examples to live by. Verse 21 discusses the power of the word; whether written, spoken, or implied words have power in what they mean and how they are conveyed. Note in today’s society how rioting across the United States, destroying literally hundreds of businesses, the buildings they were housed in, and many deaths and injuries in 2020 have been almost forgotten about because they have been described as ‘mostly peaceful’.
Likewise, the rhetoric of the ruling class calling certain actions right or wrong may make it sound and appear much worse – or better – than it really is. Words used can convict someone innocent of a felonious crime, or allow someone guilty to remain free, if the words said sound good but said in the wrong context.
Words do mean something, and while a word in and of itself may be truthful, the intent of the person using that word may not be, and be harmful – perhaps deadly. Many of our politicians seem to enjoy using certain words to invoke extreme reactions; the call on Supreme Court justices to be ‘doxxed’ and fellow congressional members to be harassed is a great example of this, to the enjoyment of the user and the chagrin of the recipient. Inciting a mob using inflammatory language, even if truthful, can be wrong and can cause unintended consequences. Several people were killed during the 2020 summer riots who were innocent due to the incitement of the mob by many in our media using inflammatory language.
For the Christian, we have to be of the Truth and not be afraid to speak the Truth, but we must be aware when we speak Truth not to use words (or quote Scriptures) out of the context they were written in. In the Word-of-the-Day commentaries, for example, I try to provide a little background on why a particular verse or verses were written for, or who they were written by. For example, Jeremiah 29:11 is well known; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” By itself, and it is often used this way, it is a great encouragement for people.
However, to be accurate in its meaning, we need to read it in the fuller context of Jeremiah 29:8-14:
‘Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in My name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
In summary, God is providing an ‘If/then’ statement to the exiled Jews; if the Jews seek God earnestly and full-in-heart, then God will provide them prosperity, hope and a future back in their native land of Israel. Will God provide us with prosperity, hope and a future? He won’t unless we trust and follow Him.
We must be careful, then, to speak the Truth, but not in a way that simply makes us feel good or makes other feel good under false pretenses, nor should be use words to provoke a response that is wrong for the situation at hand simply for our own satisfaction. We must be truthful, even if it is not what someone wants to hear, likewise we must speak the Truth even if we may not like the results.
