WORDS, WORDS, and More WORDS

   As most people know (but not all), those who use the heavenly Father’s given name and His Son’s given name are truly no better than any other individual on this earth. However, we are “special,” or “set-apart.” He has chosen a people for Himself and that people is a  “special,” chosen people. We pray that we (each and every one who is reading this, writer included) is a part of that “people.”

   Such as is the case with most groups consisting of more than one individual, there are differing points of view on almost anything. Prayerfully, we agree on the “salvational” issues of scriptures; all the rest is good for sharpening our minds.

   I would in no way intentionally put down another person when they are trying to do their absolute best in Yahweh, such as I attempt to do. It is my sincere prayer that no one will take offense to this article or anything contained therein. It is more opinion than anything else, yet perhaps can invoke a desire to learn more, delve deeper, increase learning and understanding.

   That brings me to the topic of this paper. WORDS. We know there is a lot of meaning in a “name,” especially in years past. Because of that, we should also know there is a lot of meaning in most words as well. That being said, is it okay to use the word “amen”? What about “christian”? “Holy”? “Angel”? What about the days of the week or the months of the year?

   Words fascinate me to a degree and I’ve done quite a few word studies over the years.

   Can we go too far? Some say “absolutely.” For instance, there are many folks who will not use the names of the days of the week. If we are to live and function in this world, you must be able to communicate within the world. And the world uses Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc. The same is true for the months of the year. There are many, many examples for this.

   With reference  to some of the words mentioned above—the word “amen,” for instance. When you use it, does it mean “so be it,” or is it referring to the pagan deity “Amen”? Since this is one of those words with a “shady” background, my personal preference is to use “halleluYah.” There may be absolutely nothing wrong with saying “amen” at the end of a prayer or singing it in a song. BUT, what IF there is? I feel a whole lot better invoking Yahweh’s name instead of that, albeit small, chance of Him thinking I mean the pagan deity. What would be better to end a prayer with anyway—”so be it” or “praise Yah”?

   What about “christian”? If you read the biblical usage of this word, perhaps, just perhaps, you could use it without meaning anything pagan or anti-Messiah. However, could you be portraying something to the people you are talking to that you may not want to portray? Since that is a word that TODAY is connected primarily to people who do NOT follow biblical principles, who do not obey torah, who do NOT use our Heavenly Father’s Name, but DO use a paganized Name for His Only Begotten Son, Yahshua—do we want to portray a possibility that our beliefs are similar to theirs? We are a chosen people; a people special to our Father—if we portray THAT image to the folks we’re in contact with, perhaps they will be more inclined to question our beliefs thereby learning more about that Book we strive to live by.

   There are numerous folks (probably the majority, even within the sacred name groups) that use “holy.” I’m pretty sure they use it without any problems of being misinterpreted for the pagan deity “holi.” Me, I’m just NOT certain. So, although I do occasionally use “holy” in reference to the special days or high days, I do not use it in any prayer to our Father. I pray that He sends “His” spirit to reside in me (as opposed to the “Holy” Spirit), for example. At one time, I  preferred to use “set-apart,” and recall a conversation with a fellow who was mentioning that “Set” is a pagan deity also—I found that real interesting. Since that conversation, I try to use “Yahweh’s” Spirit. It is always my personal preference to use His Name or His Son’s Name as opposed to a descriptive word. ‘Yahweh’s” Spirit instead of “Holy” Spirit; “HalleluYah” instead of “Amen,” for two examples.

   Can we get carried away with words? Sure, but the bottom line, like everything else in life, is to do your absolute best, keeping Yahweh and Yahshua’s principles first and foremost in your mind. Funny how if you do that, you find most things fall right into place be it words or deeds. We must remember also what we portray to others in our lives. If it were Tabernacles all year and we were surrounded by believers all the time, perhaps this would not, of necessity, be as important as it is living in the world. SIDENOTE: Aren’t we all looking forward to THAT DAY when we will!!

   Again, I pray no one takes offense to this. I believe it is one of those gray areas that we all must do what we feel is proper in Yahweh’s light.

   HalleluYAH! And may His Spirit lead and guide each of us!

HalleluYAH!