More than Nice Words
Everyday, people all around the globe meet, greet, and bid each other farewell. Their conversations may be long or short or somewhere in between. This common practice is not anything new. For centuries, people have been exchanging words in greeting, passing, and parting from each other as they go about their daily routines.
Over the course of time, many phrases have become the standard things people say whenever they are meeting or parting. But how many of us really stop and think what our words mean when we speak these everyday phrases?
Understanding the true meaning behind our words is very important.
How many times have you said the phrase "good-bye"? Most likely you have spoken these words many times. But did you know that is not just a nice way to end a phone conversation or a time of fellowship with someone? It means a lot more than that.
Originally, "good-bye" was a longer, Old English phrase: God be with ye. With the knowledge that "God is GOOD", the phrase was also commonly spoken as "GOOD be with ye". Through repeated use, this parting blessing became shorter, and eventually "...be with ye" became b-ye. Still, the meaning remained in tact.
I Thessalonians 3.16 says, "The Lord be with you". The original speakers of the phrase "good-bye" were God-fearing people, so when they said "God be with ye", it was intended as a blessing to the one to whom it was spoken.
"Good-bye" is not the only common-place parting phrase derived from the Bible.
Acts 20.32 says, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (set apart)."
A popular phrase from the French is based on these words from Acts 20. Perhaps you have heard the saying, "I bid you adieu." Adieu (pronounced ə´-dyū) means “to God (I commend you)”.
Another popular phrase, this time from Spanish, carries the same meaning as adieu. Adios (pronounced ä-dē-´ōs) also means “to God (I commend you)”.
A prevalent phrase in previous times was Godspeed, meaning "May God speed you forward." This phrase is a blessing for success or the welfare of a person starting on a journey or venture. Although this term has not been commonly used in our present society, it is a meaningful request for God's blessing upon an individual who is embarking upon a wholesome endeavour.
Whereas wishing someone "good luck" is an empty and powerless interjection, "Godspeed" was a pronouncement of God's blessing and a call for divine assistance upon a person.
As good as these words are, they can and often have become thoughtless phrases. A word or phrase may be Biblical in essence, but it is only as powerful as it is in the mind and understanding of the one who is saying it.
If we are not watchful, the words and phrases we speak can become meaningless. We may have originally intended to give honour to the Lord in what we speak and to testify of what He has done for us, yet if we do not consistently take a close look at what we say, it is easy to get into the habit of rattling off phrases which have no meaning and do not give God the glory He deserves as we tell our "testimonies" to others.
When we talk to our friends or to other people, we should consider that they may not understand the latest clichés or popular phrases which we use. The danger with clichés and short catchy phrases is that they do not usually communicate accurately to other people our true story. We may know what we mean when we say "it was just a miracle" or "it is a God-thing" - but will our listeners know what we are really meaning? More than that, do such clip phrases truly give God the glory for what He has done in our life? Like with the many phrases from days gone by, why not base our words on phrases from the Bible?!
When the Lord does something wonderful for us, we can give God all the credit and let people know that "this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in my eyes!" (Psalm 118.23). It may take saying just a few more words, but it is well worth giving God the honour He is due.
So the next time you say "good-bye" or tell about something great that has happened in your life, stop and think about what you are going to speak.
If you will aim at giving the Lord place in your conversations, the words you speak can bring blessing to God and to others, and what you say can be something more than just nice words.
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved
Everyday, people all around the globe meet, greet, and bid each other farewell. Their conversations may be long or short or somewhere in between. This common practice is not anything new. For centuries, people have been exchanging words in greeting, passing, and parting from each other as they go about their daily routines.
Over the course of time, many phrases have become the standard things people say whenever they are meeting or parting. But how many of us really stop and think what our words mean when we speak these everyday phrases?
Understanding the true meaning behind our words is very important.
How many times have you said the phrase "good-bye"? Most likely you have spoken these words many times. But did you know that is not just a nice way to end a phone conversation or a time of fellowship with someone? It means a lot more than that.
Originally, "good-bye" was a longer, Old English phrase: God be with ye. With the knowledge that "God is GOOD", the phrase was also commonly spoken as "GOOD be with ye". Through repeated use, this parting blessing became shorter, and eventually "...be with ye" became b-ye. Still, the meaning remained in tact.
I Thessalonians 3.16 says, "The Lord be with you". The original speakers of the phrase "good-bye" were God-fearing people, so when they said "God be with ye", it was intended as a blessing to the one to whom it was spoken.
"Good-bye" is not the only common-place parting phrase derived from the Bible.
Acts 20.32 says, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified (set apart)."
A popular phrase from the French is based on these words from Acts 20. Perhaps you have heard the saying, "I bid you adieu." Adieu (pronounced ə´-dyū) means “to God (I commend you)”.
Another popular phrase, this time from Spanish, carries the same meaning as adieu. Adios (pronounced ä-dē-´ōs) also means “to God (I commend you)”.
A prevalent phrase in previous times was Godspeed, meaning "May God speed you forward." This phrase is a blessing for success or the welfare of a person starting on a journey or venture. Although this term has not been commonly used in our present society, it is a meaningful request for God's blessing upon an individual who is embarking upon a wholesome endeavour.
Whereas wishing someone "good luck" is an empty and powerless interjection, "Godspeed" was a pronouncement of God's blessing and a call for divine assistance upon a person.
As good as these words are, they can and often have become thoughtless phrases. A word or phrase may be Biblical in essence, but it is only as powerful as it is in the mind and understanding of the one who is saying it.
If we are not watchful, the words and phrases we speak can become meaningless. We may have originally intended to give honour to the Lord in what we speak and to testify of what He has done for us, yet if we do not consistently take a close look at what we say, it is easy to get into the habit of rattling off phrases which have no meaning and do not give God the glory He deserves as we tell our "testimonies" to others.
When we talk to our friends or to other people, we should consider that they may not understand the latest clichés or popular phrases which we use. The danger with clichés and short catchy phrases is that they do not usually communicate accurately to other people our true story. We may know what we mean when we say "it was just a miracle" or "it is a God-thing" - but will our listeners know what we are really meaning? More than that, do such clip phrases truly give God the glory for what He has done in our life? Like with the many phrases from days gone by, why not base our words on phrases from the Bible?!
When the Lord does something wonderful for us, we can give God all the credit and let people know that "this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in my eyes!" (Psalm 118.23). It may take saying just a few more words, but it is well worth giving God the honour He is due.
So the next time you say "good-bye" or tell about something great that has happened in your life, stop and think about what you are going to speak.
If you will aim at giving the Lord place in your conversations, the words you speak can bring blessing to God and to others, and what you say can be something more than just nice words.
Copyright © First Love Ministries International aka FERVOUR
All Rights Reserved