One thing that really brings a person's understanding into focus is the description of an issue through word pictures. I was reading Jude this morning and in verses 12 and 13, the following word pictures emerged:
SOME PEOPLE...
are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you...
are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves...
are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain...
are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots...
are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds...
are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness...
I gave a Bible study once in Japan on forgiveness versus unforgiveness. I used these illustrations to define each position:
FORGIVENESS UNFORGIVENESS
Crescent roll Moldy bread
Cherry tomato Rotten tomato
Beautiful bouquet Dead flowers
Cold refreshing milk Curdled milk
Cotton Ball (light, fluffy) Boulder (cold, hard, heavy)
Gentle breeze Hurricane
Lush green lawn Field of weeds
Get the picture????
If one is trying to convey an accurate description of one's feelings, thoughts, or attitude, use a word picture. It gets the point across every time.
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