Most everyone speaks one primary language. There are many who are multilingual, speaking two languages or even more fluently; however, most of us are limited in that respect. What we often do not know is that we not only speak a cultural language but we also speak a language of life that essentially indicates my perspective of who I am and what I am capable of doing. This language reflects attitude. It determines my course of action and even my viewpoint of God. It is a language that I need to pay close attention to lest I find myself unequipped to face the challenges of life and emerge victorious. Still not sure about what I’m talking? See if the outline below does not help:
Title: The Languages of Life
Text: Philippians 4:13
Main Point: Words have meaning, whether explicit or implied. Everything we say develops from some attitude we have, something we have experienced, or something we have learned. This especially pertains to how we approach certain circumstances in our lives; whether our words reflect helplessness, self-sufficiency, or empowerment. But we need to see how the words we use to depict our attitude of life measures up to the suggested motto for living in our text, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Paul is specifically discussing sacrificial living, which is extremely difficult to endure, but Paul says that through Christ he was capable of overcoming. However, the application is much broader in reference to many other areas of necessary Christian living. We might have attitudes that develop whether from something as meek as insecurity or as boastful as pride, but those attitudes are going to speak a language vastly different from that recommended by the apostle. What languages of life exist that often entrap us and what language must we speak to accomplish the great things God expects?
Discussion Points:
- The Language of Pessimism – “I Can’t” – No man has perfect ability – we have strengths, but implied with having strengths is also having weaknesses. There are simply some areas of life where we have not developed abilities to the degree we have others. It seems to be a natural reaction for us to shy away from areas in which we view ourselves as weak. We feel insecure and incapable. However, while those weaknesses often are the reason for our statements of “I can’t,” often “I can’t” really means “I won’t.” In Matthew 19:23-26 the apostles misinterpreted Jesus’ statement by believing that He meant a rich man “could not” enter the kingdom. In reality, Jesus was stating that because of the temptations inherent in riches (1 Timothy 6:10) that many rich men “would not” enter the kingdom. We often have the capability to do things but do not believe we do, thus the pessimist in us overrules our intellect and we neglect responsibility. Let’s not use the language of pessimism.
- The Language of Presumption – “I Can” – Having discussed one extreme of personal incapability there exists another in self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. We must never come to believe that we have any inherent power in and of ourselves (Romans 12:3; Psalm 10:1-6). James and John were known at times for their haughty attitudes and demonstrated such in this exchange with Jesus – Mark 10:35-40. James and John in their enthusiasm felt as though they had some inherent power unlike the others and a stark reality laid on the horizon for them. They presumptuously believed they could make things happen, but let us not develop the same attitude of haughtiness and self-pride as did those two.
- The Language of Power – “I Can…Through Christ” – The power that we do have to accomplish things, which we all have, is not inherent in self but comes through Christ. Consider an ancient example with great implications: true or false, Queen Esther saved the Jewish race? Not to take away from anything Esther did, but in reality it was God who saved the Jewish race and Esther was merely the tool by which that task was accomplished (Esther 8:3-6; 4:13-14). Now putting that ancient example into a Christian perspective:
o Acts 3:8 – lame man was healed by the power of God.
o Acts 8:37 – Ethiopian eunuch converted by the power of God.
o Acts 9:6 – Saul was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 10:44 – Cornelius and household was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 13:12 – Sergius Paulus was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 16:14-15 – Lydia was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 16:32-34 – Philippian jailor was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 18:8 – Crispus was converted by the power of God.
o Acts 18:24-25 – Apollos was converted by the power of God.
o On each occasion an individual was involved in the process, but God was the power behind the success.
We, too, can do all things, but only by Christ in whom we obtain the strength necessary.
Our works reflect our attitudes and our attitudes are reflected in our words. Our perspective of ourselves and our involvement in the great work of New Testament Christianity is also reflected in our words, thus we must be careful to not be pessimistic or presumptuous – but empowered in Christ. That needs to be our language of life!