Words Matter

Our oldest daughter is writing a novel. Since she wants the story to make sense and come to life for her readers, she’s taking great care with the use of words. Rough draft after rough draft, she alters wording until she gets descriptions to picture match what she wants to convey. In some cases, she needs to define words to be certain she’s using them properly. And before too long, she’ll be ready to send in her transcript to an official editor. She comprehends that words matter.

Fiction is one thing. And real life is another thing. But in either case, words matter.

If our nation continues with trying to make language “fluid”, we’ll have a larger nightmare on our hands with consecutive generations. I’ve never bought into the idea that definitions change over time. Words matter. And what many individuals either don’t know or refuse to recognize is that Sovereign God defines words. Additionally, He created them and their meanings with great purpose.

So, let’s please consider and reason together about words, today’s culture, our future generations, and consequences.

The Word

Christians know that God created the universe by speaking it into existence. In order for the sun to be the sun, a definition would have to be in place by our Creator God. And in order for mankind to be made in God’s image, a definition for image and man would have to be in place. So, with this basic reasoning we’ve established what we’ll refer to as the Law of Words.

Next, Christians acknowledge the following about Jesus Christ:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (NASB)

Christ, the Word, encompasses the essence of God. How do we know what the essence of God is? We’re told with words in the Bible. But how do we know what those words mean? We know what they mean by their fixed definitions given by Holy God. Notably, this has to do with understanding the non-choice attributes of God which never, ever change.

Language is an Attribute of God

Language is a fixed part of God. He thinks, expresses thoughts, speaks and He created us to use language as well. It’s important to be reminded that language is:

“6. Any manner of expressing thoughts. Thus we speak of the language of the eye, a language very expressive and intelligible.”

-Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Perhaps language is taken for granted and mistreated because it’s always around. But we must guard ourselves against this because language isn’t fluid.

Language is Fixed, Not Fluid

Imagine a world where words are fluid because their definitions change. What nonsense. Words would then have zero meaning. Just because individuals choose to use words incorrectly, it doesn’t mean that those words mean something new.

Let’s look at Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to define fluid:

“FLU’ID, adjective [Latin fluidus, from fluo, to flow.] Having parts which easily move and change their relative position without separation, and which easily yield to pressure; that may flow; liquid. Water, spirit, air, are fluid substances.

FLU’ID, noun Any substance whose parts easily move and change their relative position without separation, and which yields to the slightest pressure; a substance which flows, or which moves spontaneously on a plane with the least inclination; a liquid; liquor; opposed to a solid. Water, blood, chyle, are fluids.”

Language is a Tool for Liberty

In the Garden of Eden, we see that words and ideas have consequences right in the beginning. Satan uses words to manipulate and cause doubt. As many are aware, Eve falls for it and then Adam gives in as well. These words by the enemy were used to enslave.

And Satan uses words to enslave today.

Look at the culture wars going on today:

• marriage
• race
• gender

If you look these up in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, you’ll learn the Biblical definition of each one. Whereas if you look them up in modern dictionaries, you’ll see that their definitions greatly differ.

But God uses words to set free. His use of words allows us to comprehend what is sin and what it isn’t. And do you know what? He defines for us with words what the root of various sin issues are. The definitions of words describing sin are fixed. Likewise, the definitions of words that describe liberty are fixed. This is good news because it doesn’t leave us with arbitrary laws and consequences.

Healing our Nation

There are a lot of individuals being enslaved in their thinking because words are being used by some to manipulate others.

For instance, many children are taught that race has to do with the color of one’s skin (this is a social construct). Therefore, they’re being trained see themselves and others by skin tone vs. their internal character qualities. What a horrid message to fill young minds with.

That said, do you and your children know what is the Biblical definition of race?

“RACE, noun [Latin radix and radius having the same original. This word coincides in origin with rod, ray, radiate, etc.]

1. The lineage of a family, or continued series of descendants from a parent who is called the stock. A race is the series of descendants indefinitely. Thus all mankind are called the race of Adam; the Israelites are of the race of Abraham and Jacob. Thus we speak of a race of kings, the race of Clovis or Charlemagne; a race of nobles, etc.

2. A generation; a family of descendants.”

-Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

If we teach the correct, fixed, Biblical definition of race, the next generation will be set free. Because the truth sets us free! As our children learn how to identify God’s principles and the counter principles to them, they’ll be set free. In order for this to happen, they must be taught how to think, not what to think.

We can help save America with the Principle Approach® because our children learn how to think through issues by reasoning Biblically.