Articulate with Authority

                                                                 

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Crist, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:31 NIV

How important is a word? A search in Webster’s Dictionary unveils deeper meaning behind the everyday use of what we say. Let’s take a look at “write” as our example.

Writ

A document that carries the authority of the author. Whether that authority is a monarch or a mason, it makes no difference—it is legally binding.

Write

“to compose, to communicate, to make a permanent impression of.” An author’s heart is wrapped up in the effort to convey thoughts.

Write in

“to insert in a document or text.” Possibly changing the outcome, a write in becomes part of the document.

Write-off

“a reduction in book value of an item.”

Write-up

“a deliberate increase in the book value of an asset.” If something written can affect the value of an item then doesn’t it reflect the authority of the one who assessed it?

In the Gospel of John, he says his book was written as a hinge to belief in Jesus as the Christ. (John 20:31) John’s words documented a life observed and he placed his full trust in knowing eternal life banked on that message.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:3 the result of his ministry was hearts written in the authority of the Spirit of the living God. Not in pencil, not in chalk, but a life-impacting transformational encounter with the very Spirit of God.

Could research transform our words to make an impact as well? Once upon a time, back in high school, I had a notebook of Latin words we studied in class. The content has long since eluded me, but I do remember feeling connected to generations of communicators. Language has evolved, but its beauty remains. We have a responsibility to convey the meaning to our readers in the clearest manner possible.

Exercise:

• Write out 2 Timothy 2:6-17.
• Look up each word in the dictionary and jot down synonyms.
• Did you learn anything new?
• Use your new definitions to write out 2 Timothy 2:16-17 again.
• How does the new rendering grant insight? (This exercise isn’t meant to manipulate Scripture, but to shed light on ways we gloss over the meaning.)

What words do you use flippantly? Verbalize competently!

Language has evolved, but its beauty remains.

How can your words add value to your reader?

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net