Special Codes

It seems like wherever you go there are special codes.

There are different types of special codes.

Some might have this between friends.

Jason and I have different things that are in code that not everyone understands or we might just say one word and it could explain a ton of information or a complete story in a word.

I know of friends that use words that have special meaning from knitting to MMMMMMRRRRRRRRIIIILLLLLUUUVVVVVUUUU to your not cooking.

Christians often use words that you don't really hear that often.

Evangelize, edify, fellowship, born again, backsliding, walk with God, outreach and witness are just a few.

We all have codes in our lives, some people understand them and some have no idea.

Often the words we use can make us feel like we are better than other people or part of a secret club.

You see this in sports in baseball and football, only the team understands what is going on.

You see this in movies like National Treasure that are full of secret codes.

When not everyone can understand the words coming out of our mouth, they often leave our conversations more confused.

Even Jesus used this method by telling stories in parables.

He gives is reasoning in Mark 4:11-12…

"He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that, "they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!"

At first this can sound pretty harsh.

Wouldn't Jesus want everyone to understand what he says so more people could be reached?

Jesus did this for the fact that so many people came to hear him and see him perform miracles, but they didn't truly listen.

He spoke in parable so that people that really wanted to know would stay till after he was done speaking and ask questions then.

Jesus had a reason for doing this, we don't.

Yet we are known for speaking in codes and it's not a good thing.

Whether at work, school or the Church, we speak in codes only certain people can understand then we wonder why we don't have the impact we want.

Speaking codes can be funny with close friends, but it can leave some people out.

Who are you leaving out that you shouldn't?

Who do you need to focus on not speaking in codes too?

Have a great day.