Language Matters

I used to not worry about how I said or worded things. Now I did put some thought into it but not much as I figured if I got my point across I have successfully communicated. Over time though that thought process has kind of changed. One coworker has been quoted as saying “You are to smart to sound this stupid”. Now I know this sounds kind of harsh but really if you read the email I wrote that day it was completely true and I need to be reminded of this and to be careful with what and how I say things.

The above title was actually taken from a Bill Hybels book called Axiom. Ironically it is the very first Axiom he talks about in the book. He puts it very well by saying “When you put the right words to a vision or a principle, it becomes axiomic. It begins to live! It becomes memorable and powerful.” Let me take a second and give you the definition of axiom – a self-evident truth that requires no proof, or a universally accepted principle or rule. As I thought about this it made me think about how important our communication really is. Well I read on and Bill says “I’ve been known to devote an entire transatlantic flight to nailing a single sentence…..” I don’t think I have ever even put that much time into an entire journal entry or blog. Now they bounce around up there for a while as I gather my thoughts and process them but really focusing for a whole flight on something?

This really had me paying more attention to the words I use in conversations, emails and much more. Lately I have been reading Luke and came to these verses.

for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
Luke 21: 15

26 So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent.
Luke 20:26

39 “Well said, Teacher!” remarked some of the teachers of religious law who were standing there. 40 And then no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Luke 20:39-40

Mighty and Powerful is all I have to say. I mean Jesus was an amazing leader and our Savior so it doesn’t surprise me that His words left people amazed and silent. I think though as I look at these verses these are people that are either out to get us or Him and still they will have or had nothing to say. I would think that people who want to attack or trap someone with something would at least come up with something to say to try and catch Him off guard or to even have the last word. Though in no instance could they be successful in what they were trying to do to Him. Nor, will anyone be successful against us when He is in our court.