Words have a way of taking on different meanings over time. I recently read an article that listed words we use today that originally meant something quite different than our current usage. Here are a few examples.

Nice: This word used to mean “silly, foolish, simple.” Today it is a compliment.

Awful: Awful things used to be “worthy of awe” for a variety of reasons, but now it has a very negative connotation.

Senile: Senile used to refer simply to anything related to old age, so you could have senile maturity. Now it refers specifically to those suffering from dementia.

I know the words “queer” and ‘”gay” have very different meanings today than they did 100 years ago. You can probably think of some other examples.

I have noticed this happening in the church as well, and I have in mind one word in particular: COVET.

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

This verse contains the Ninth and Tenth Commandments (at least in the way our tradition numbers them). When I received catechetical instruction in what we called “Confirmation Class,” I was taught that “covet” meant to sinfully desire something. It described an intense desire for something that belonged to someone else, being discontent with what you have to the point of wanting to have something that was not rightfully yours.

However, I noticed about fifteen years ago that many people in the church started using this word in a different way. There was a phrase that became very popular that didn’t sit well with me: “I covet your prayers.” They would explain that they were simply trying to convey that they earnestly desired your prayers. The reason I didn’t like this usage of the word (and I still don’t like it) is that it takes a word that describes sinful behavior in God’s commandments and tries to alter its meaning. Using this “new definition,” those commandments simply tell us not to earnestly desire our neighbor’s spouse and possessions, which is not an accurate reflection of what God was saying.

I was raised to believe that words have meaning and we should be careful how we use them. This is especially true of the Word of God. In our world today, many in the church are denying that things called sin in Scripture are still sins today. When you use words that describe sin in a positive way, you are adding to the confusion.

If we are to convey God’s Word to others, we should not confuse the message by attaching different meanings to the words. We need to be able to clearly share His Law, which shows us our sin and our need for assistance. We also need to clearly share His Gospel, the good news that Jesus has paid for all sin by His perfect life offered as the sacrifice that would cover all people.

Those who have taken this message to heart have the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life. We want to respond by living the new life to which we have been called, which includes using God’s Law as the guide for how He wants us to live. That includes being careful how we use our words.