The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 ESV
Words don’t mean what they used to mean.
Within culture – what do the following words mean and what did they mean 20 years ago?
Influencer, evidence, science, woke, desert, critical, insecurity, progressive, neutral, love, teabag, elite, lifestyle, border, handouts, and theory.
The above words usually have another word attached, making them more directive. Many are used by both liberals and conservatives. Word confusion dominates newscasts, blogs, vlogs, and movie/TV scripts.
Does anyone really know what anyone else is saying? How do we respond as followers of Jesus?
And avoid empty chatter and worthless words, for they simply add to the irreverence of those who converse in that manner. 2 Timothy 2:16 TPT
The Oxford English Corpus monitors thousands of websites to keep track of how English words are currently being used. Americans are quite good at insulting one another, especially those of differing politics. One writer, using this database, found that “bigot” is huge in describing conservatives and “commie” used the most as an insult toward liberals.
You can quickly discern which of the following insults are used from conservative toward liberal or liberal toward conservative:
Elitist, extremist, fencesitter, fanatic, idiot (used equally!), racist, loon, and nutjob.
Unfortunately, since I am a former hippie, the word “hippie” is trending as an insult. So much for the peace, love, and rock ‘n roll of the ‘60s!
How should we respond as believers?
Stay away from all the foolish arguments of the immature, for these disputes will only generate more conflict. For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the truth, having great patience toward the immature. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 TPT
Hhhhmmmmhhh—not a word in the Oxford English Corpus but often used in Interruptions to create the effect of a pause to reflect. Hhhmmmmmhhh! You should be pausing in reflection while convicted of “your words” and not considering the words of the idiots (used equally!) with whom you disagree.
Underneath our words are motives and agendas. Bad politics or bad words can often come from people who are sincere. Good words (the ones we agree with) and good politics (our side) can have malignant intent.
We know that the anti-Christ, whether leftist or rightest, will speak “peace” and “life” while contemplating control and death.
What words have you been using lately toward those you love and those who frustrate you? Amazing how words of hate, unleashed toward anyone (friend or foe), boomerang back to defining who you become.
Please think about the above paragraph and then ever more carefully read the paragraphs below – according to your words, you become!
I have observed that while gracious as a youth, some become hateful in older age.
Often starting as simple invectives (look it up in the Oxford) of politics or culture (even speaking truth but without love) to eventually be the commonality spoken to everyone (even friends and family).
And… and… becoming you, according to your words! Hhhmmmmmmhh.
A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. Proverbs 11:17 ESV