The Power of Definition

“…if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?” 

—Psalm 11:3

In our postmodern world there are endless explanations, constant revisions, and needless statements predicated by “I feel…” or “I believe.” Such statements are the direct result of definitive statements whereby individuals have sought to encapsulate the entire truth of something. Allow me to explain. If I were to say this: “The TV show that I watched last night was horrible,” I would be making a value statement, assigning a type of value to the show. Which many others, who may have enjoyed the show, would have a real problem with my words. However, if I said, “I thought the TV show was horrible.” I now have successfully changed the quality of the show and connected it to my specific experience. In other words, it’s about how I felt about the show, rather than the show itself.

Such a way of using words has become commonplace in our time. No one can make definitive statements about anything because it is considered to harsh, offensive, insensitive, or intolerant. However, who has the ability to say anything is harsh, offensive, or intolerant? It’s all about the power of definition. In our world today, we are battling for who has the power of definition. The world wants to define what is right and what is wrong, and in doing so the world wants to redefine much of what God has declared evil to make it good. It is not only a war for the power of definition, but a war for the very foundations of what is true.

Who has the ability to say if something is right or wrong? If I say that marriage is to be between a man and a woman, I am labeled as close-minded or intolerant. But am I? Who is being close-minded? Is it me? Or is it the person labeling me? After all, they are not open-minded to what I believe to be true, therefore, they are being intolerant to my so-called intolerance. It is the tolerance trap.

And who has the ability to determine who is right or who is wrong? Such a war of words can easily make one’s head spin. But that need not be the case. God is the only one with the true power of definition. He is the one that set the world in place—that made man and woman—that created thought, meaning, and words. And if God sets the limits of anything, then that is what it is. As He said to Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding”—Job 38:4. God has established the foundation of the earth and what is true and if He has determined what is right and true then it is our responsibility to respond accordingly, as Paul wrote to Timothy,

“But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His, and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity’"—2 Timothy 2:19.

God is the one who defines what is and what is not, what is good and what is evil. God is God and as God He has the ability to do whatever He wants. We do not have that ability. He is the Creator; we are the creation. Man may try to war against God, but such attempts are futile, as the Psalmist declared, “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision”—Psalm 2:4.

Our responsibility is to trust in the God who sent His Son to die for us. To trust in His Word that sets the limits for what is good and what is evil. And when we do, we experience such undeniable and overarching joy, because we have found the true power of definition, a firm foundation that will last longer than anything in this world.

Where is your trust? Who controls the power of definition in your life? If it’s not Christ then it’s wrong. Only God has the ability and authority to determine what is right and true. Our responsibility is to respond in loving obedience, to cherish the truth He has revealed to us, and the parameters He has set in place, which are for our joy. Amen.