The Three's of Paul

[HKHaugan]

The Three’s of Paul

The Spiritual Nature of Language

The Spiritual Purpose of Language

Consider language.as a gift from God

 

Paul has a way of speaking and writing that is completely Trinitarian. Actually, it’s quite amazing. He delves into his experience of Jesus and it becomes quite clear that he is totally sold out to our Trinitarian God. Several examples are in his first letter to Timothy. Note the three’s. After stating that God’s work is faith, he immediately says it “…(1) comes from a pure heart and (2) a good conscience and (3) a sincere faith (vs.5).” Then he gives the law credit for being good when properly used (1), to identify lawbreakers (2) and then, what is not in conformity with the Gospel (3). He continues, “I thank Christ Jesus, who has given me strength…considered me faithful…appointing me to His service.”

 But there is a basic language construction that is most interesting. We use it all the time and don’t even realize it’s normal pattern: subject, verb and object. For instance,…”I’m going to the store.” I is the subject. Going is the verb and store is the object. This sentence structure is the heart of our communication. We speak a Trinitarian language. Being images of God, should we be surprised? The very nature of our thinking is revealed to be spiritually personal, spiritually linguistical and spiritually relational.

 Obviously, people can abuse language if they are influenced by a spirit contrary to the Holy Spirit. You only have to spend five minutes watching TV to see that or read an average novel, see a movie or listen to a so-called ‘manly’ conversation. The feeble attempt to bleep a voice on TV news reports or sports shows is met with embarrassed and conciliatory smiles.

 But abuse can’t change the reality of the structure of language. It’s sourced spiritually in the human DNA. Abuse is misuse, a spiritual disuse by an emotional recluse demanding an apologizing re-use not to mention a loose defensive excuse. You can’t judge the source by those who abuse it.

 Bad language: cursing, profanity and blasphemy, are sourced in sin and directed by the real abuser. You can see the abuser using profanity to make an impression of toughness and power. What is really happening is the isolation of the abuser. The effect is increased judgment of the offender. Whether it is a locker room, an office or causal conversation, the sound of profanity isolates and superficiality revealed, judged and real communication shut down.

 Language is a good thing. Realizing that its structure has meaning and purpose is to cherish it as a gift and use it with that in mind. That’s why what the heart gives our mind to speak needs to be cleared of attitudes that prevent spiritually reasoned loving responses. If anything, we need to expand our ability to use it. Think ‘threefully.’ Think spiritually. Think ‘Jesusly.’