Why Can't People Say What they Mean?

Life would be easier, if everyone would say what they meant. If someone could perfectly describe their thoughts, then they could effectively communicate with anyone on earth. People would know exactly what someone is thinking, without having to inspect their words. Groups could do amazing work, if they had no miscommunication. Yet, no matter how hard people try to listen to others, it seems inevitable that even the closest of friends will (at some point) misunderstand each other. Why is it apparently impossible for people to speak clearly?

The Bible reveals the origin of miscommunication. It is recorded in Genesis chapter 11. At the world's beginning everyone "had one language and a common speech," (1). With everyone on earth able to perfectly understand one another, they all gathered to build "a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that they may make a name for themselves," (4). As they built, God looked down upon their tower and the city around it. He said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them," (6). The Lord then said, "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other," (7). Having done this, the Lord scattered all the people and caused them to stop building (8). So it was that God "confused the language of the whole world," creating different forms of speech, dialects and other aspects which lead to miscommunication (9).

God made humans unable to perfectly understand each other, so humanity would not be able to "make a name for themselves," (Genesis 11:4). What this means is the Lord did not allow people (or any person) to make themselves into a lasting name, or rather a legacy. It might appear unjust for God to be "a jealous God," making sure only His name lasts forever (Exodus 34:14). The truth, though, is it would not be right for anyone to have a name that can challenge God's. The Lord  is the good creator and sustainer of all things, so anyone who chases after another name (even their own) would be a fool. No name or legacy can compare to the Lord's. He is "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come," (Ephesians 1:21). Everyone should "praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens," (Psalm 148:13). If only God's name is to be exalted (praised above all), then it is good that no other name comes close.

Concerning humanity's name, the Lord gave people misunderstanding, but concerning His own, He did something different. It was after Jesus (who is God) resurrected and ascended into heaven. 12 of His apostles gathered in a city in an upper room (Acts 1:12-14). What happened next is recorded in Acts chapter 2. As the apostles were praying, a great wind from heaven filled the upper room (2). Then all 12 apostles "began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them," (4). Many in the city heard the apostles and said, "How is it that each of us hears them in our native language?" (7-8). They even exclaimed, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" (11). The apostle Peter then stood before them and began to preach (14-17). He did not preach his own name, but the name of "Jesus of Nazareth" (22). After the people in the city heard of Jesus' legacy, many of them committed their lives for His namesake (38,41). So it was that "all the believers were together and had everything in common," understanding each other and what was preached about God (44).

Communication is a powerful tool, however people primarily use it to explain themselves and get others to do what they want. This main way that humanity uses communication is self-serving. God, however, did not create people so they could simply serve one another (Colossians 3:23). He created people so they could glorify the Lord (Isaiah 43:7). This is one reason why God brought confusion down upon the self-obsessed who tried to build up their own legacy, but He brought understanding to those who praised Jesus' name. God's purpose for communication is for all people to speak of His wonders and glory. With this in mind, anytime humans misunderstand each other they should see it as a sign; the only human whose name should be lifted high is the name of Jesus.

One name is higher

One name is stronger

Than any grave, than any throne

Christ exalted over all

The only Saviour, Jesus Messiah

To You alone our praise belongs

Christ exalted over all

- Vertical Worship

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Open Bible Info: Name Above All Names
• John Piper: Created for Glory
• Vertical Worship: Exalted Over All

Philippians 3:1 (The Same Things Again)

Philippians 3:1

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Okay, I'm only going to say this once: "Don't make me repeat myself." That's because people don't like saying the same things twice. They don't like describing their day as the "same old, same old." If someone teaches the same thing multiple times, their students likely say, "We've been over this already." The implication behind these phrases is quite clear: people tend to believe repeating information is a waste of time. If this is what humans tend to think, it's worth asking what God thinks about this. What does the Bible say about repeating information?

God's Word is full of repetition. Right at the start, the Bible says the same thing twice. In Genesis chapter 1 God makes the heavens, the earth and every living thing. In Genesis chapter 2 He does it again, or rather the author redescribes what God has done. The repetition doesn't stop there. Keep reading, and there are family genealogies given more than once, laws about the Sabbath repeated a few times, and multiple psalms about Moses and the Isrealites in the wilderness (Psalm 78, 90, 107 and others). God is an author who highlights the "same old, same old"; a teacher who makes His students say, "We've been over this already." God repeats Himself, yet God is good (Nahum 1:7).

Hearing about God's goodness over and over again is, evidently, a beautiful thing. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he told them to "rejoice in the Lord," and he said it three to four times (Philippians 1:18, 3:1, 4:4,10). Paul knew his audience would look negatively on his repetition. Perhaps, this is why Paul writes, "It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you," (Philippians 3:1). The word for safeguard in this text is ἀσφαλής (asphalés). It commonly refers to an assuredness of fact, such as in Hebrews where it reads, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (ἀσφαλής)," (6:19). Paul is saying to the church in Philippi, as well as all churches, it is good to repeat Biblical information. God repeats Himself, and God is good (Psalm 136:1). The repetition of God's Word acts as a safeguard (a maintaining of assuredness) to keep the Church actively rejoicing in the Lord.

With the God who will make all things new (Revelation 21:5), sometimes the best thing He can give is the "same old, same old." Jesus, who is God, "is the same yesterday and today and forever," so why would it ever be a bad thing for Him to repeat Himself? (Hebrews 13:8). The Lord commands all His followers to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) and God isn't writing anymore words in the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19). Because of this, God's followers will naturally repeat themselves, since they are all reading from the same book forever (Matthew 5:18). This repetition, though, is not a waste of time. It should be seen as a safeguard and a beautiful thing. Afterall, God repeats Himself, and God is good (1 Peter 2:3). Hey, did I say this already?

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Bible Hub: Safeguard/Assuredness

Is the Bible a List of Do's and Don'ts?

How many times have you heard a Christian say the following: "Hey, what are you doing? Don't do that! You should do this. Why? Because the Bible tells you so." The thought process behind these words is fairly logical: "The Bible says people should do something, so I'm going to tell them to do that." It makes sense for a Christian to think like this. Someone who speaks this way, though, makes God's Word appear to be a series of commands. In more common terms: This kind of teaching makes people believe the Bible is "a list of do's and don'ts." Is that all the Bible is?

Now, the Bible is absolutely the authority on what is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16). It is full of commands; all of which have been given by the only wise God (Job 12:13, Romans 16:27). Those who do not respect God are fools who "despise wisdom and instruction," (Proverbs 1:7). Someone who respects and fears God is humble. They will be richly rewarded, because "humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life," (Proverbs 22:4). This is one reason why it is written, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord," (Psalm 1:1-2). Those who obey God are His "treasured possession," (Exodus 19:5); the ones who respect God's "do's" and avoid God's "don'ts".

If a believer, though, only sees God's commands as "a list of do's and don'ts," then they are gravely mistaken. Ray Comfort, founder and CEO of Living Waters ministry, says most people misunderstand why God gave His commands. People wrongly think "God's law was given as a standard for us to live by. Well, try and live by it." God's law is to love the Lord with your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself, (Matthew 22:37-40). This is "the essence of the law" and Comfort rightly acknowledges "we can't do it." Jesus says, "No one is good except God alone," (Mark 10:18), yet He commands, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," (Matthew 5:48). No one can be perfect. If God's law was just a way to show how much stuff someone needs to do to be blessed, then no one would ever experience one sunrise or eat a decent meal. The Law was not given to simply teach people what to do.

When we try to simply make people behave better, and I know that there are fruits to that. I get that it is better that there's pro-life legislation. I'm not trying to completely obliterate any benefits, but we need to keep our eyes on the prize. What is the prize of moralism? Failure.

- Todd Friel

The Law was not given just so people could obey God, but was given so everyone could be saved. No one can obey God enough. No one can perform a satisfactory amount of "do's" over "don'ts", and "no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin," (Romans 3:20). This is meant to cause people to cry out for salvation from themselves, (Romans 10:13); salvation made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-2). Those who believe this will become righteous in the Lord's sight. He will give them His Spirit and "move them to follow His decrees and be careful to keep His laws," (Ezekiel 36:26-27). A believer will show they have God's Spirit by their "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" that teaches these virtues outside of God's Word (Galatians 5:22-23). The Law was given so people can see themselves, as if looking in a mirror (James 1:23), and when they see themselves rightly they will call on God and be rescued (Psalm 91:15).

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved," (Joel 2:32).

The Bible's commands are not "a list of do's and don'ts," but are given to show how "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). God's laws show His glory, because all His commands are a reflection of Himself. For example, Jesus' law to sinlessly submit to human authorities (Matthew 22:21) reflects how Jesus sinlessly submits to His Father in heaven (John 6:38). Another example is that God commands His people to make sure their neighbor's animals do not wander off (Deuteronomy 22:1). This demonstrates how God will make sure all of His lost sheep come back to Him (Isaiah 53:6, Luke 15:4-7). All of God's laws are depictions of His love, and "if anyone obeys His Word, love for God is truly made complete in them," (1 John 2:5).

The Bible should never be used to simply tell people what to do and what not to do. In fact, the Scriptures prophesy that those who use the Bible in this way are leaders who do not listen to the Lord. These words of woe (meaning sadness and grief) are written of these teachers in Isaiah chapter 28 from verses 9 to 13:

“Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there.”

Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom He said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there—so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.

God's glorious commands are meant to strengthen people's love for God, so it is devastating  when His laws are misrepresented. Those who simply teach the "do's and don'ts" of God's commands will be like the unwise who dig a pit and fall into it (Proverbs 26:27). They are teachers who feed their listeners only milk, and "anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness," (Hebrews 5:13). God's true teachings are a resting place of repose. Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” (Matthew 11:28-29). Those who believe in God will never find rest, until they rightly honor God's teaching and learn from Him. As one of God's commands is to honor your father (Exodus 20:12), so believers should honor their father in heaven by "correctly handling the Word of Truth," (2 Timothy 2:15).

Those who know the teachings of righteousness
will be able to say, "Let the wicked fall into their
own nets, while I pass by in safety," (Psalm 141:10).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• American Gospel: Christ Alone
• Wretched: Moralism Teaching