Changing the Connotations

I want to continue to examine the power and potential of the words we speak. Proverbs has much to say about words and the power of our tongue. For example, take this passage in Proverbs 12:
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

We are called to be people who pursue truth and who tell the truth.  And in a culture that is prone to use different words to redefine the connotation of certain concepts or practices, we have to make certain that we are upholding the concepts of the Scriptures with the way we speak.  Now, our tone can be conciliatory and our approach can be compassionate, but we have to be forthright in holding on to the truth of the Scriptures and not call good or neutral what God has determined to be evil.

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The Bible uses strong words to identify who we are in Christ and how we are to behave, allowing
God's Word and His Spirit to govern our actions. Ephesians 5 says:
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Yesterday, I commented on the economy of words.  Today, I want to elaborate on the effectiveness of words and how the perception of certain concepts can be altered by the words that are used to label them.

Allow me to give an example - this comes from an Alliance Alert from the Alliance Defending Freedom.  It quotes Wesley J. Smith, who states in a post at the First Things website:

"Words matter. The terminology we employ not only reflects our values but helps to define them. Language is particularly important in bioethical debates, in which dehumanizing verbiage can distance us from our fellow human beings."

Some examples?  The ADF post summarizes:

Embryonic stem-cell research that is branded as "just a ball of cells" rather than using the phrase "human embryo." When discussing abortion, choosing to use the word "fetus" instead of "baby," ostensibly because it is the proper medical term (despite using the word "infant" over "neonates," which would be the corresponding medical term).

There is a new word that is emerging in the end-of-life sphere: "dignicide," which comes from Fay Girsh, former head of the Hemlock Society. There is concern now that the word "euthanasia" is a term that no longer conveys what the assisted-suicide movement wishes to convey.

As the Alliance Alert summarizes:

Words do not merely reflect reality. They often shape the perception of it. If "dignicide" becomes common parlance, the arguments against it have one more barrier to cross.

The use of words to redefine and even deceive that are apparent regarding abortion was the subject of a recent story at The Federalist website that ADF references. The author, A.D.P. Efferson, argues that pro-abortion rhetoric causes women direct harm.  She writes:

"The messaging from organizations like Planned Parenthood, the country’s largest abortion provider, demonstrate a stunning, almost willful lack of awareness, and gross insensitivity towards women who are not 'okay' with their abortion. Herein lies the problem for the abortion industry: their messaging campaigns amount to an ill-conceived attempt to make women feel better about their choice to abort by effectively telling them 'it’s not a difficult decision,' and 'don’t regret it.'"

There are several good points that are made, and the Alliance Alert summarizes by saying:

One clear point: any pro-abortion advocate who argues that women "need to weigh their options" and still turns around and says that the decision isn't a big deal at all is rhetorically hypocritical.

But, that's the nature of the abortion industry, and the messaging has been effective, even though it is offensive - an unborn child becomes a "fetus" rather than a "baby."  The decision to take the life of that baby is described as a "woman's right to choose."  The words become self-descriptive and diminish our sensitivity to a very important issue.

You could find examples where society has taken words that have negative connotations and developed new constructs.  For example, think about these terms that are consistent with the Scriptures: "Sodomy" has become homosexuality and those who engage in it are "gay."  "Fornication" is no longer a word that is used in society - "cohabitation" is a cleaned-up word to describe a practice that is abhorrent to God.  "Adultery" has become the less-confrontational "affair."

I think about what a Biblical counselor had said to me about using Biblical terms to define sin.  But, in our culture that guards against offense, especially regarding what God calls sin, we have to be careful that we don't buy in to compromise.  One might think that the changing of the word can lessen the blow or create a new morality, but the Lord's attitude toward sinful practice remains, and it's helpful to develop His perspective and then realize that Jesus died so that we could experience freedom from sin.