by Joanne Wiklund
When I talk about words, I often quote my old English teacher Lois Prater. One of her favorite remarks was that the meaning is in the person and not in the word. Yes, she agreed there were definitions for words, but for communication’s sake, it helps to remember that when you speak to someone and they reply, words do matter. Their meaning is often not what we think it should be. We often take offense when we assume what we think they mean.
Believe, share, repent, confess…all have definitions. Meanings and definitions are complex. Definitions from my research can be thick or thin, depending on education. They can be teacher centered or student centered. Am I over my head here? Yep! Common words have meaning that vary with culture.
My dad stated it simply: “Say what you mean, and mean what you say.” Give the other person some leeway. Unless they’re using profanity. Mrs. Prater had a saying for that also: Profanity is a forceful expression of a feeble mind.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth forever.”
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgments and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.”