There I was, folding laundry on my bed...desperately trying to sort through the whites and match up socks for eight people in my family when I heard a lovely word ring out from the television... INFALLIBLE. It took a minute for it to register in my brain. Suddenly, socks everywhere, I whipped around to see why "infallible" was being used. The reason? A commercial for a new lipstick out on the market. What? Infallible? Give me a break! Then I got mad.
As a teacher of Bible Doctrine, this is one of the most distinctive words of the Christian faith; attesting to the attributes of the Word of God and also the character and nature of God. The definition of infallible: 1.) incapable of error 2.) not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint 3.) incapable of error of error in defining doctrines touching faith or morals
We can barely wrap our minds around these attributes in our human thinking, but a godly man (Noah Webster- who penned the dictionary) sought to define such words to bring some clarity to the virtually incomprehensible (such as matters of faith).
So what about those definitions describes a lip stick?
Here we go again with secular attempts to take over a commonly known Christian word and twist it's meaning. This isn't the first time something like this has bothered me. I have even heard the words "omnipotent" and "omnipresent" used in sitcoms!
The danger of this is that people become desensitized to the word. If they do not know it's a commonly known Christian-used term, it could have the potential of downplaying the significance and meaning if they ever were to become a Christian.
Picture the scene. You're sharing your faith with someone and you say something like, "We need a Savior. Man was separated from God by sin and so He sent His Son to die on the cross for you and me- taking away our sin. We are not perfect, but God is perfect. We can learn about Him in the Bible (God's instruction book to mankind). It and God are infallible and..." (You're interrupted) Your friend says, "Infallible? Oh, I've heard that word before! Yes, wasn't that the name of a lipstick? So God is like a lipstick? What's so special about that?"
A generation ago, when people were beginning to learn about Pentecost and the fruits of the Spirit, there was a commercial that promoted 'joy' in a aptly named dish soap. If it were just that easy to get joy in a bottle. I remember hearing sermons about that when I was kid "The Joy the Lord Gives Can't Come in a Bottle"! Why do we try to package something that is spiritually desirable and sought after in a mere product? It sounds like a "Veggie Tales" program.
Think about this: Verbal agreements were common place in our country at one point in time... a man's word meant something. It was the truth, it was dependable, and it was accurate.
In this day and time, words are mere lip service by many; meant to entice and persuade. Other times, words are abused and misused.
As Christians, we need to think about words. The Word of God prompts us over and over again to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no". The validity, accountability, and accuracy of our words is a testament to what is in our heart. The Bible says a lot about words and even likens them to a water spring. Salt water and fresh water can't flow from the same spring. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
WHAT KIND OF TESTIMONY ARE WE GIVING SIMPLY BY OUR EVERY DAY WORDS?
We all promote something... we are not promoting products, but rather Christ. We are His light shining forth into a dark world.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge." Proverbs 8:7-9
-comforting (1 Thessalonians 4:1
-nourishing in faith and good doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6)
- gracious (Ecclesiastes 10:12)
-sound (2 Timothy 1:13, Titus 2:
- used for encouragement and confirmation (Acts 15:31-33)
-truth and soberness (Acts 26:24-26)
- a demonstration of the Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
-words that which the Holy Spirit teaches, not with man's knowledge (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)
-not vain, flattering, or enticing (Ephesians 5:6. Colossians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:5)
-not malicious (3 John 1:10)
-not murmuring, complaining or swelling (Jude 1:16)
-with grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)
-plain and straightforward (2 Corinthians 3:12)
-are spirit and life (John 6:63)
- you'll be satisfied with good by the fruits of your words (Proverbs 12:14)
-pure, pleasant words (Proverbs 15:26) are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Proverbs 16:24)
- let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2)
-words will be followed by action - living what you say (1 John 3:8, Colossians 3:17)
Let's all make it our prayer today to say what we mean and mean what we say.
Let's give truth to our spiritual advertising!
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm19:14
