WHAT DID YOU MEAN, EXACTLY?

Ever say something and been misunderstood? Ever have to explain yourself over and over again?  And still no one gets it, or some don't follow you where you were heading with your topic?  I have.

Recently I had someone pick out one word from a post I'd written and assign meaning to it from other statements I said later.  One word.  I'm not the only one this happens to.  I've seen it other places.

A pastor preaches a thirty-minute sermon or forty.  Then one illustration is singled out above every verse, every portion of his outline to define the entire message.  And it doesn't have a thing to do with the message he sought to convey.  Makes you wonder why some preachers find it necessary to have an opening joke before the sermon, doesn't it?

In some cases, the way I see folks dissect blogs, I wonder if they ever get any message from anyone.  Shucks, some commentors make me question if they could get a positive message out of one red-letter quote make by Jesus Christ, Himself.  Oh well, I think we will find this true till the Lord comes back and brings a new earth on which we dwell without miscommunication, division and suspicion.

DEFINITIONS.  Distinguishing characteristics of words.

I wrote a blog on words once.  In fact, the blogpost originated from a column I wrote years earlier in a Kentucky newspaper: WHAT MATTERS.  The thought I wanted to convey was that what matters is not words, but intent.  And all too often we can't see the intent for the words we read or hear for one's perception of the speaker, writer or very words, themselves.  It's like one word conjures up its own definition in our minds the moment we see it or hear it.  Let me give you a few to image up:  Racism.  Bigot.  Gay.  Happy-go-lucky.  Fear.  Awe.  Disciplined.  Meek.  Timid.  Weak.  Controlled.  Passion.  Anger.  Indignation.  Love.  Lust.

If you took any one of those words, any one of us could have meanings on either extreme of the definition found in Webster's or Funk and Wagnell.  In the shadows of every word are outlines, and underlines of emotion, experience and knowledge.  How one relates to, reacts to or understands a word in the confines of their thinking is how that word will be understood when used in a sentence to deliver a thought or message to another.  Consider the words, conservative, moderate, fundamental, liberal.  What defining descriptions come to mind? 

Also, and in my mind, most importantly is the intent (purpose) of the word.

When one person has a predetermined judgement of another person, they tend to hear or read into that person's statement a particular motive or intent by its usage.  If one holds a negative view of someone, there is little they could say that wouldn't bring a hailstorm of opposition from another.  While on the otherhand if the same person holds a positive view of another, then very little that one says will be met with question.  From this, both dictator and monster can be created.

"The dignity of truth is lost with much protesting." Ben Jonson, Catiline's Conspiracy [1611], act III, sc.ii.

"Speech was given to the ordinary sort of men whereby to communicate their mind; but to wise men, whereby to conceal it." Robert South, [1676] Sermon.

"The words of the wise are prodding goads, and firmly fixed [in the minds] like nails are the collected sayings which are given [as proceeding] from one shepherd." Ecc.12:11

There is definitely power in words.  Words can be damaging.  They can echo in the minds of people till they die.  Once spoken (or written), they can impact, edify or destroy.  However, it is not the word itself that has that power--it's the influence given it by others.  It's the power one allows it to have to impact, edify or destroy.  Challenging another's words is good when challenged with the respect one desired from another.  But challenging or attacking with the same intent or motive does nothing to clarify a thought or distinguish a flame before it sparks a firestorm of controversy.  Words do matter.  So does the heart and mind behind one uttering those words.

What matters most is that we choose our words wisely.  And perhaps instead of being so quick to spit them out, we ought to try swallowing a few.  Otherwise a heresy of thundering proportions will be heard without so much as a microphone. [copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2007]