God's Litter Box

Listen to two versions of Luke 6:26.

 

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (KJV)

 

There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. (Message)

 

Yes, The Message is a paraphrase (a liberal one at that) and The King James is a translation from the original language (and, therefore, more reliable.) I don't think God cares. Language is a tool to unite the heart of God with the heart of a believer. Connecting through scripture must be a life long vocation in order to be worthwhile and to minimize misuse. But God wants lovers. If language is in the way, it must move.

 

Sometimes, I think we use flowery language in order to obfuscate the truth. (smile, I used "obfuscate" ironically as an example.) Hearts are never joined when the language used is a hiding place.

 

Impressive language can often domesticate God as well (therefore the litter box concept.) It can make us sound religious without being a follower. If it sounds good enough, who cares if we understand it or do it?! God does.

 

Craft your words well today. Whether in lofty language or common, make connections of the heart. Those connections matters – eternally.