Do you ever have those moments when you’re listening to someone who is in the middle of saying something, and it is as if somebody just slapped the back of your hear. Because what they just said was absolutely not what you were expecting.
Perhaps it is the name for something you associated differently. Perhaps it is an opinion that seems diametrically opposed to other things they’re saying. Perhaps it is simply because they quoted something totally out of context.
I’ve had many of those over the years. Growing up with someone who is severely narcistic and you get used to things like that. That is quite normal, for someone like that.
However, it doesn’t help the person listening.
As we speak to others we need, of course, to be careful when we quote things. We’re gonna make mistakes. That happens. Of course it does. But sometimes it’s a bit more serious.
So, don’t be afraid to ask for some clarification, even challenging as necessary.
And let’s do all we can do, as my wife frequently reminds us, to “Say what you mean and mean what you say”.
Ambiguity is something I’ve observed used lots by some folks in church. It creates wriggle room for something they want to do, which they know won’t be popular – or righteous. So, they speak in such a way that enables them to do something other than what they intimated.
Jesus was never ambiguous – which should be enough for us really, so I’ll stop here!
Just a thought…
Andy B
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