Topics in the previous (part 1) article discussed
euphemism, political correctness (PC),
and abuse by the media. Reading it will
help provide a foundation for what I address here to leaders and specifically
Christian speakers.
In the book of James a warning is given that, "we who teach will be judged more strictly" (James
3:1). I believe that part of this judgment involves the words we use and
the care given to choosing biblical correctness over political correctness (see
also 2 Timothy 4:3).
Inaccurate speech dilutes and devalues the message. I used the example of the word
"choice" in the previous article.
Another example is the word "gay." Gay has become a euphemism for the word homosexual. In addition, attaching the word gay to the
word marriage makes it a much more complicated issue. Every time the word marriage is used to describe a homosexual
union, the true biblical definition of the word marriage (and the Word of God) is
down graded and defamed.
I agree with the comments of psychologist and author Dr.
James Dobson in this video following the June 16, 2016 US Supreme Court
decision:
http://drjamesdobson.org/media/parenting-and-marriage-videos/dr-dobson-on-the-definition-of-marriage
. Marriage is a God-ordained
institution and cannot be redefined by a man-made court. Our speech must uphold the godly
definition. Christ himself says, "at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female, and
said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh’" (Matthew
19:4-5). If we believe Christ's words
there is absolutely no way to justify using the term "same-sex" to
describe a marriage relationship.
It
grieves me deeply every time I hear a pastor or Christian leader use the words
"gay" (or "same-sex") and the word "marriage"
together to describe the unholy union of homosexual relationship. A position of leadership and influence
requires a closer scrutiny of the words used to speak truth and wholeness for
personal and community well-being. This
terminology is a crafty twist of the truth conceived by the enemy of our
souls. A Proverb says, "A fool’s
mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul" (Proverbs
18:7). Words matter. We should not be foolishly repeating words
we picked up through the media (or any other source) when they so blatantly
defy the Truth.
Dr. Dobson and others warn of the dangers of redefining marriage. Whenever a word (like marriage) is misused,
the true meaning is diminished. When
"same-sex marriage" is spoken, the biblical definition is degraded
and disavowed. Words matter. They speak life and support of true
marriage, or they speak death and detract from the true meaning of
marriage.
As the moral climate of our culture deteriorates,
examples of these kinds of misuse of words are on the increase. We must be vigilant to recognize the
falsehood, and use alternatively accurate words to ensure integrity of speech.
In case you still think I'm making a big deal out of
nothing, consider further what the Bible has to say about words. In the context of prayer and communicating
with God, Ed Kurath in the book I Will Give You Rest writes, "For some reason, God set up the universe in such a
way that words have power. Then God said, "Let there be light,"
and there was light (Genesis 1:3). The words that I speak bring my thoughts
into reality. Once they are spoken, it is as though a legal contract has been
signed, or a legal event has happened, in the spiritual realm. The words can be
"bad" and bring about difficulty (for example judging), or they can
be "good" and bring about life (for example blessing
someone)."
A spoken word has great power.
In fact, we call the Bible "the Word" of God because it carries
the authority of God. God's authority
is supreme authority. God's authority
is revealed through a number of human beings recording His words throughout a
period of time to be included in the cannon of Scripture. Consider what is recorded in the Bible about
God Himself. John records in his
gospel, "In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without
him nothing was made that has been made. In
him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5).
Jesus came as the Word.
Our very life depends on the Word.
Every person's soul is doomed to darkness without the light of the
Word. The Word speaks life. The Word speaks light. To be called disciples of Christ, we must
speak the Word. We must speak
light. We must speak life.
My purpose for writing this is not only to raise
awareness of language used toward evil ends, but to encourage speakers of truth
to redeem the spoken language.
We must be careful not to use strictly PC speech, and let people know why
we are using terms which speak truth.
It's not enough to use "biblically correct" language ourselves,
but we must teach other disciples of Christ to do so as well. If Jesus is the Word, we must represent Him
with our words. If the Bible is the
Word, we must use words that speak Truth.
If Jesus matters to you, words matter.
If the Bible matters to you, words matter.
Please understand I am not advocating using
inconsiderate, insensitive, or deliberately offensive language to make a
point. With love as our motivation (see
Ephesians 4:25), we must demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our speech
(Galatians 6:22). Because ultimate
Truth rests with God, there will always be some people offended by the Truth
(see 1 Peter 2:8). Some will label
Truth speakers as intolerant, bigoted, and phobic. We may even be called "deplorables" and
"irredeemables" (if you remember the 2016 political candidate using
those terms). There will always be those who consider the Truth to be
"hate speech." Hatred of the
Word is what put Jesus to death.
Proclaimers of
the Word are not called to be trendy, relatable, or relevant as a first
priority. Considering our audience or
delivery methods is not as important as considering who owns the message we
have to deliver. Jesus himself says,
"The words I say to you I do not speak on my own
authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work"
(John 14:10). Jesus says this in the
context of explaining that He and the Father are one. Christ's message is Father God's message. As Christ's disciples, our message is Father
God's message.
The phrase "same sex marriage" pollutes the
atmosphere with a false, ungodly
message. Never, never, say
it! By speaking the words we are participating in the acceptance of the
practice of homosexuality. Worse yet,
we are speaking death to marriage. Next to our relationship with God, marriage
is the most sacred relationship mankind can know. Marriage is God's creation from the beginning and provides the
foundation for human existence. The
definition of marriage cannot be tampered with.
A message is made of the words used to deliver it. Words matter. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart; be
acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my
rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).
May this be the prayer of our heart, and the motivation for the words we
speak.
by Ed Hersh, Blue Rock BnB Healing Ministry
