Lost in Translation

There are doubtless many different languages
in the world, and none is without meaning;
but if I do not know the meaning of the language,
I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the
speaker a foreigner to me” (1 Corinthians 14:10-11, RSV).

“We are called to shine”.  This much is true.  However, our choice of words can often overshadow “His light”.

As Christians, we take on a “whole new life”, complete with a whole new language.  I’ve heard it referred to as “Christianese”, because it’s just that foreign to “those who don’t believe”.

When speaking to another Christian, whether “encouraging them in their walk”, or “holding them accountable to their faith”, we can use such terms as “backsliding”, “lean not on your own understanding”, “God’s will be done”, “God moves in mysterious ways”, and my personal favorite, “this too shall pass”, without worry that their meaning will be lost in translation.  In fact, most Christians benefit from hearing such phrases.  We reconnect with “His Word” and “His Truth” and it “fuels us for the fight ahead”.

When talking to a “non-believer”, our language comes across as clichéd and confusing at best.  I know that I once translated “I’m praying for you” to mean that someone felt bad for me and they didn’t know what else to say.  I never thought that anyone actually followed through with that promise of prayer.  As a Christian, I know that I can rely on my “brothers and sisters” to not only pray, but to repeatedly pray for me until I give them a “praise report”.

While we need to stay “Biblically based” and true to “God’s Word”, we need to speak in a way that will be understood by the people that “God is trying to reach through us”.  We don’t need to be cunning with our words. Leaning on Christianese is putting too much emphasis on the wording and not enough thought into what the words mean to the people who don’t yet “know Christ”.  We need to relate “His message” in any language that will be understood.

When in Japan, teach the gospel in Japanese.
When in France, speak the Truth in French.
When in the presence of a “non-christian”, speak without the Christian dialect.

Jesus didn’t simply say to “build your house on rock” and expect the people to understand this on a spiritual level.  He told the story of a man who built on sand and lost everything, and of a man who built on rock and his house remained through the storm.  Jesus revealed how this is like building our lives on “The Rock that is The Lord”, and how with “God as our foundation” we will “weather any storm”.  Jesus broke things down into terms we can all understand.

All we need to do is “shine His light” in a way that the world can understand intellectually and He will teach people to “understand spiritually”.

Lord,

Looking through this devotional, I see so many quotation marks that represent just how much I’ve learned to live for and with You.  I wear these marks proudly, but I pray that You will help me to use such phrasing wisely.  I know that it can confuse to the point of distraction when used during my witnessing to the lost.  Lord, I pray that You will replace these words those You’d have me share and that You will uproot my desire to bring about spiritual growth in others.  I am but a vessel, and You are the Light that shines through and the Spirit that saves.

Amen.

• Have you got a favorite “Christianese” phrase to throw about?
• How do you praise God for giving these words to your hungry heart?
• What worldly sayings have you {or will you} let go of in exchange for Truth?  Praise God for that, too!