CEMENTED IN MIND

CEMENTED IN MIND

Monday, January 18, 2016

Matthew [NLT] 4:4b; 12:33-37 [Jesus said] … People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. … A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

John 7:37-39 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

  The word “euphemism” comes from the Greek, meaning favorable speech. A euphemism is replacement of disagreeable, disturbing, or offensive word or phrase with expression of language more pleasant and less troublesome to sensitivities of individual, group, or culture. The implementing of euphemistic speech is often active and progressive.

  A few examples:

died > deceased > kicked the bucket/bought the farm > met his maker > faded away > passed on

outhouse > necessary > commode/toilet > bathroom > restroom

drunk > alcoholic

garbage/trash man > sanitation worker > garbologist

garbage/trash dump > sanitary landfill/transfer station  (in UK “Civic Amenity”)

strip club > go-go bar > body shop > gentlemen’s club

tax > fee

whore > prostitute > streetwalker > escort service

lame > crippled > handicapped > disabled > differently able-d

shell shock (WWI) > battle fatigue (WWII) > operational exhaustion (Korean War, “police action”) > PTSD

adultery/fornication > hooking up > sleeping together

illegal immigrant > undocumented immigrant

  There are others that I’m sure you can remember. Please do share them. Two of my favorite euphemisms are from the good old days: “… gone to powder her nose.” “ … went to see a man about a dog (or horse).”

  “Church” as a building is a serious one that developed thru the decades; edifice rather than fact “the church is I, we are the church” is euphemistic speaking in serious opposition to literal meaning and necessary mindset; compromising not just vocabulary, but our spirit (Mt.26:41), God’s Word (Mt.4:4 “need every word”), and the Holy Spirit (1Thes.5:19-20).

  When such euphemistic word or phrase is habitually used, literalism is commonly dropped from our  Christian worldview and our vision blurs. (Efforts misdirected at preserving building instead building people.)

  There is vocabulary evolution to more acceptable euphemism that I believe in usage is gravely disastrous for speaker/writer and hearer/reader. Consider the severity of transition from “condemned . . . lost without Christ” et al to “unchurched” “needing spiritual renewal”.

  Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, indeed we are to be wise (Mt.10:16) in witness for God (1Pet.3:12-17) and our blessed assurance (Col.2:2-4; 1Thes.1:4-5; Heb.6:9-12;10:22). In doing so we are to be rivers of living water but never ever pathetic trickle. Let us beware cementing tradition of church (building/attendance) and/or program over individual need for redemptive salvation (Jn.3:3-18). 

EBB4