Words matter. They communicate both what and how we are thinking. Do we carefully consider what and how we say it?
In this post I’m thinking particularly about pastors, or those who regularly teach the Bible. Have you carefully considered what you are saying and how you are saying it?
We know this examination is not a waste of time. The Bible tells us that all people will give an account of what we say (Mt. 12:36). Furthermore, James writes that those who teach the Word of God will incur a stricter judgment (3:1). Therefore it is important for those of us who teach the Bible to give some consideration to both what we are saying and how we are saying it.
Recent Uptick in Self-Referential Preaching
In recent years I’ve noticed an uptick in a couple of phrases from preachers and teachers. I don’t want to go so far as to mark them as homiletical cuss words, but I do want to draw a circle around them and ask why we are saying them so much. These two phrases are “I think” and “I feel.”
Let me explain. Suppose someone is preaching through Colossians and they come to chapter 3. They then read the following words aloud:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:1–2)
Then they say, “I think what Paul is saying here is that we need to be seeking the things above.” After a pause, he goes on to say, “I feel like this is especially hard for us today because of all of our temptations for distractions.” Later he says, “I feel like too many of us, myself included, are really susceptible to this. I think it can really hinder our walk with Christ.”
Now what’s wrong with this phrasing? On one level, nothing. He is not saying anything wrong. But, at the same time, he is not saying it like he could. If he is not completely declawing the passage he is at least filing down its nails. He is saying it in a less authoritative and offensive way. And while he may still be bouncing the ball to his congregation for application it is a bit of a deflated ball, or at least not as pumped up as it could be.
An Alternative
Consider what he could have done. “The Bible here tells us what we are to be seeking. If you are a Christian, you must keep seeking the things above where Christ is!” After explaining the details of the passage, he could go on to say, “This is especially hard for us today because of all of the temptations for distraction that we face.” Further, “Because the Bible tells to keep doing this and not stop doing it we have to conclude that it is an ongoing temptation for us that must be dealt with. You are susceptible to this and must make it the priority of your life to keep seeking the things above. If we don’t do this then it will certainly hinder our walk with Christ.”
The difference is subtle on paper (subbing out a few words) but it is truly a massive shift. Instead of anchoring our teaching in what we personally feel or believe or think, we are to anchor it in what God has said. There is authority in God’s Word, and faithful teachers must be tethered to it. Furthermore, faithful teaching is not solely about transferring content, it also involves being an example (1 Pet. 5:1-3). Pastors in particular must help build people’s trust in as well as understanding of God’s Word. Constantly couching our teaching in what we personally feel or think, however innocent or subtle this may be, does not serve the congregation well. At one level a well-meaning, concerned, church member could say, “Pastor, ultimately, I don’t care what you think or feel, tell me what God says.” And, while it may be a bit brash, this church member would be exactly right. We would better serve our church family if we told them less about what we think or feel and more about what God has said. In other words, we would do better to get ourselves out of our sermons and ensure we are keeping God in them.
I don’t think that people who say these things are intentionally trying to let the air out of the tire. I give them the benefit of the doubt and hope all things. It is a common way for us to communicate. However, as pastors it would seem that we, of all people, must give ourselves over to careful scrutiny to ensure we are stewarding our post well. If the way we say something can either increase or decrease someone’s appreciation of the Bible, is it worth it to make an adjustment? If how we are speaking communicates something about how we are thinking, is it worth it to consider why? What do we really believe about the Bible’s authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency? How do we present it?
Again, words matter. They always have and they always will. Therefore, those who preach and teach the Word must give careful attention to their words.
