How To Interpret Political Language

Do you ever marvel at people who are adept at never giving a direct answer to a question when being interviewed? Some public figures are masters of the craft.

Consider this model interview. Katie leans forward and holding up a red rose asks in sincere tones, “Is this a red rose?” There it is in living color, a red rose. A simple yes or no will answer the question with clarity and transparency.

The interviewee responds, “When I was a child my mother grew red roses. If I’m elected, I’ll see that every mother gets appropriate subsidies in growing red roses. Red roses are uplifting for mothers as well as children. They are good for the economy and I am a proponent of a good economy. Mothers can expect my support in their efforts to grow red roses.”

Dummy, is the rose in question red? Elusive answers more extreme that this are given daily. The practice of evasiveness is so obvious there must be a conspiracy. Well, there is.

In William Safire’s book, “Leadership,” he quotes Robert L. Woodrum who gives advice to people planning to hold a press conference.

His diverse clients include such persons as the new president of an organization, a candidate for office, the executive of a company involved in a legal matter, a pastor speaking out on a controversial issue, a lawyer defending a client, and others. Here is his advice:

“Prepare/rehearse. You set the agenda. Before meeting with the
press, you determine your objectives. Write down the two or three
main points you want to make and stick to them during the interview.
Anticipate the tough questions and practice your answers with your
staff.

“When asked a question by a reporter remember ‘Answer the
question you wish you had been asked.’ Make the points you
want to make and stick to your agenda.”

Now we know. The crafty art is actually taught news makers. They are tutored to be evasive, non-responsive, and diversionary. Listeners need to understand what those who have mastered the craft well are doing.

A second thing a listener needs to keep in mind is that skill should not be equated with intellect. Singers, athletes, actors and actresses, authors and their genre are often interviewed as “authorities.” The IQ of some is slightly below the January temperature in Nome, Alaska. They have no reason to be interviewed on many subjects other than their skill in a rather limited field. It is their persona not their proficiency related to the subject that gets them the interview.

These two factors involving news makers results in the public being overly informed though not well informed.

The sage wisdom lifted from the pages of the New Testament would change news. It simply states, “Let your “Yes be Yes,” and your “No,’ “No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

This is not an admonition to use only these words in responding but to be clear, cursory, and correct. With that in mind: “That’s all folks.”

Homosexual Marriage

Many people form their beliefs on the basis of sociology rather than theology. Thus saith the majority,” rather than, “Thus saith the Lord.” As an increasingly secular society these two often conflict.

A second challenge is many of us Christians was a chapter and verse in the Bible in which the Lord says, “Thou shalt….,” or “Thou shalt not…” do a thing.

Often He gives us the guidelines and expect us to use or rational to draw the conclusion.
For example the Bible doesn’t say homosexuals should not marry. It does make it very clear it is between one man and one woman. “He shall cling to his wife….” Conclusion: two persons of the same sex should not “marry.”

The idea that government can’t legislate morals is absurd. Every law they pass has a moral implication. Think of the many passed and ruled on in recent years that are opposed to Biblical principles. They legislated morals regarding gambling. When they legalized abortion they legislated morality. If they legalize homosexual marriage they will be legislating morality.

The idea that government can legislate morals is absurd. Every law they pass has a moral implication. Think of the many passed and ruled on in recent years that are opposed to Biblical principles. They legislated morals regarding gambling. When they legalized abortion they legislated morality. If they legalize homosexual marriage they will be legislating morality.

The Holy Spirit

Jesus Christ said, “I will pray the Father, and He will give
you another Helper (Comforter), and He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16).

Also read John 16:13, 14.
When then do I get this wonderful gift?

When Christ’s righteousness is imputed to the believer, the Holy Spirit is imparted.

The Holy Spirit is not given because of our attainment but Christ’s atonement.

“Did you not receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2)

“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).

Before the ascension Christ did the baptizing and the Holy Spirit was the sphere (Matt. 3:11).

The Holy Spirit was His ascension gift (John 16:7).

After the ascension, the Holy Spirit does the baptizing and the spiritual body of Christ is the sphere (I Cor. 13:12).

”For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (I Cor. 12:13).

“Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).

When filled, the life produces the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5: 22, 23).

A Christian is either “filled” or grieving (Eph 4:30) or quenching (I Thess. 5:19).

Heaping Coals of Fire

“If your enemy hungers, feed him, If he thirsts, give him drink; For in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20).

In conversation with a wife who was embroiled in a domestic conflict I asked if she had ever tried heaping coals of fire on his head. She confessed she had not but that she tried throwing boiling water on him once.

What does it mean?

The two opening statements in this verse obviously teach we are to do more than is required to help those in need.

In the biblical ere fire was a valuable commodity. Often a person would go to a neighbor and ask for a coal with which to start his fire. This expression means don’t just give him the basic essential. Instead give him so many coals they are so heavy he has to carry them on his head as was the custom with heavy loads. Thus, we are taught a lesson in helpful generosity.

Health And Healing

Mark the following true (T) or false (F).

“If you were right with God you would not have high blood pressure (thyroid problems, arthritis, a cold, backache, etc.). T____ F____

“There must be sin in your life or you would not be sick” T____ F____

“God wants all of His children healthy.” T____ F____

“Christians aren’t supposed to be sick because “by His stripes we are healed.” T____ F____

After evaluating the following review your answers. You might even reverse your answers.

Jesus said of the sickness from which Lazarus died, “This sickness ….is for the glory of God” (John 11:4).

To the Philippians it was said, “Unto you it is given….to suffer” (Philippians 1:29).

Jesus encountered a man blind from birth (John 9) and critics asked Him, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” What a dumb question. If he was born blind how could the blindness be caused by his sin. Jesus said, “Neither this man nor his parents …” The blindness was not caused by sin “but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (John 9:3). The man’s blindness was not caused by sin but simply gave occasion for the glory go God to be revealed through him. Often our sickness is not caused by sin but is simply an occasion for the works of God to be revealed through us.

Paul suffered from a “thorn in the flesh” and prayed three times for its removal. It was not removed. He continued to suffer.

In reality all healing comes from RAPHA, God, the God of healing. Sometimes He used human instrumentality, doctors and medicine, to achieve healing. Often He does it through natural process or by direct divine intervention.

If sickness in the life of Christians is a discipline from God then doctors are working against God. As such their profession should be shunned by believers. Theirs is an honorable profession to be respected. Many Godly physicians acknowledge they are willful agents of the Great Physician.

God in His sovereign will chooses to heal some while not healing others. Let those chosen to be made whole rejoice and not make others fell like second class Christians. Let those chosen to suffer for the glory of God not be offended. Both are loved by Him.

I believe in divine healing by the Lord God. I am one who has experience His supernatural healing. I was born with a hole in my heart and given six weeks to live. No medical treatment was offered but many prayed and miraculously the hole closes.

I am one who was not healed also. I prayed I would never be subject to cancer. I am. He has chosen not to heal me. God doesn’t love me now any less than He did when He healed me.

CONSIDER THESE MISCONCEPTIONS:
1. IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR ALL CHRISTIANS TO BE WELL AT ALL TIMES. SICKNESS REVEALS A PERSON TO BE OUT OF HIS WILL.
Paul had physical ailment (II Cor. 12: 7-10); Timothy had a stomach disorder (I Timothy) 5:23); his fellow workers, Trophimus and Epaphroditus became very ill (II Timothy 4:20, Philippians 2:26, 27).
There was no hint of sin in the life of any of these.

2. IF YOU HAD ENOUGH FAITH YOU WOULD BE HEALED.
The emphasis in Scripture is not in the strength of our faith but the object of it. Faith is not a means by which we manipulate God for healing. It is resting in His will and sufficiency.
Accusing Christians of not having enough faith to be healed causes much distress, often undermines God’s sovereign will, perverts the true meaning of faith, reduces compassion for the sick, and causes confusion and discouragement.
As long as we live in our fallen physical body we will be vulnerable to sickness and suffering (II Corinthians 4: 7-18).

3. BY CHRIST’S STRIPES WE ARE REDEEMED AND PHYSICALLY HEALED OF ALL SICKNESS.
Christ’s death did atone for our sin and guarantee a renewal of our body. Our salvation is instantaneous. The renewal of our bodies, their redemption will not fully be achieved until He returns (I Corinthians 15: 42-54; Romans 8:23).

4. ALL AFFLICTION COMES FROM SATAN AND SHOULD BE REBUKED AND OVERCOME.
The difficulty with a half-truth is the wrong half
gets emphasized. Some adversity is caused by the devil and some affliction comes from demons. To assume all comes from them is to misrepresent the truth. Adversity is part of life. Christ told us in this world we would have “tribulation.” It is part of life in our imperfect fallen world.

Read Romans 8: 18 – 15 to gain a good understanding of when the body of believers will be fully redeemed. Until it occurs we will travail.

Always put Scripture first and interpret experience by it.

There is an aspect to this needing consideration. Personal habits of some Christians do sometimes cause illness. Eating improperly, smoking, failing to exercise, exposing ones self to communicable diseases, such as STDs, and other abuses are contrary to the will of God. When done they are causes of self-inflicted illness. Persons need to confess and correct the conduct if they expect healing. Don’t expect God to do for you what He expects you to do for Him.