Plain Speech

Not all of my readers will be familiar with Dick and Jane. It was used long before I was in school, and I don’t remember using the books – but it is often shown as an easy way to teach. It was full of repetition and short, easy words for new readers. Plain speech is very important – has always been and is still today. Paul certainly thought so:

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: (2 Corinthians 3:12 KJV)

Even plain speech is hard. Maybe not hard to understand, but hard to accept – as Peter mentioned:

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:14-16 KJV)

Back to Paul’s “plainness of speech,” Matthew Henry’s Commentary says that remains important today:

It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech.

While being peaceful, without spot and blameless while speaking of Christ’s life and a Christian’s responsibilities may take a great deal of explaining, the gospel, God’s love, needs to be spoken plainly understandable:

But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it.

The Bible does teach God is love. 1 John explains that much better than I can. But – there are things God does not accept. The Bible even states who will not be in His presence:

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:5-8 KJV)

Proverbs 6:16-19 speaks specifics that are hated and are abominations to the Lord. Those aren't the only items, though. A false balance, a froward heart, lying lips, way (and thoughts) of the wicked, proud of heart and condemnation of the just are all written as things that are an abomination to the Lord. And, one more, in Proverbs 15:8:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8 KJV)

Speaking plainly, if using scripture to prove what is being done is in God’s will – be certain to speak as plainly about what is not. Be certain we can say with Paul:

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 KJV)