Interpreting Through Definitions
For two to have a relationship, they need to communicate in a common language. Learning a language can be a funny experience. Have you traveled to a foreign country, tried to ask a simple question, and the other person turns red, looking all embarrassed? You don’t know what you said, but you know you said it!
Much of learning a language of interpretation is a matter of definition. No one knew what the letters “w-o-r-d” were, until someone gave “WORD” a meaning. “Word” became a symbol for a form of expression. Our written language is made up of symbols, which we call letters, and then labeled with definitions we call vocabulary. The same is true in developing a spiritual language.
The Lord builds our spiritual language by symbols or concepts quickened to us by scripture, life circumstances, our family in Christ, creation allegories, visions, dreams, etc. He uses any part of life to teach us definitions. (“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear…take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured unto you.” Mark 4:23,24 NASB) Have you ever been in the same set of circumstances, for the umpteenth time in a row, and finally say, “I wonder if God is trying to tell me something?” When His Word first penetrates our hearts, it does so as an idea or symbol of communication. Then He can speak to us again with that same “word” and we will understand. It becomes easier to hear Him when our vocabulary has grown, for there are more “words” with which to communicate. Definitions applied to these symbols or concepts are built one step at a time, line upon line. Each building block gives meaning and thus adds a word to our vocabulary.
The process of developing a language becomes another means of fellowship WITH HIM, when we do it with His help. By taking time to ponder and search our heart before Him for understanding, we give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to target certain areas. This brings us to that wonderful place of discovery. Finding new definitions can become delightful rather than just a mundane pursuit of the mind.
Discovering definitions is a part of revelation. Not only can revelation happen in recognizing that He spoke, but also revelation happens in recognizing WHAT He spoke. Rather than establishing definitions as an intellectual pursuit, with the Lord’s help the Holy Spirit gives the joy of discovery. It becomes a process of hide and seek. He hides the definition from disclosure, (to our understanding) while we search with His help for the meaning. At the precise moment of revelation, the Holy Spirit zeros in on the perfect insight, and that “OH!” pops forth. Discovering definitions can be a real joy when companioned with revelation and His quickening power.
HOW TO DISCOVER DEFINITIONS
When we have discovered a “symbol,” we are to ponder before the Lord to find out its purpose and function. When we discover a symbol’s function or purpose, we usually will discover its definition. For example, the purpose for hair is a covering. (1 Co. 11:15) The Bible also says a woman’s hair is her glory. So the spiritual definition of hair could be the covering of God’s glory. Or consider the word “stand.” Its function is to be upright, in an active position, not at rest. The spiritual definition of standing could be the active place within our faith, expending energy to remain upright. Anything can have a spiritual definition. Always remember the knowledge will be empty if it’s not Him speaking.
Definitions can be what the Lord gave someone else, or they can be what He has given you. Either way, the definition must become your own to have meaning. Sometimes when you have the foundation of someone else’s vocabulary to build upon and are launching out and discovering new definitions of your own, you will come across two opposing definitions: your own, and someone else’s. If so, consider the other, but use your own. When He speaks to you, it is personally and as it applies to your own life.
When you practice pondering language definitions with His help, you will gain two values: the habit of looking to Him for help in understanding and the security of knowing that He is the One Who helped you develop it. (That particular security is important when He begins to build upon it.)
The following allegory, is an example of definitions being quickened in my life: The definition: Anything that moves and carries people is the definition of my spiritual relationship with Him. He carries me, therefore the definition of any kind of transportation is my relationship with Him. It doesn’t matter what it is, auto, bus, skiing, skateboard, boat, street car, etc. The allegory: I am driving my car down a two-way street. I look out the side window, cross over the yellow line and go through a yellow warning light. The yellow line depicts my conscience. I stay on the right side of it to travel safely. The peering out the window is the direction of my focus. The yellow warning is the sign the Lord places in my path to yield, to give right of way.
The pondering: An example of this would mean nothing, unless it is quickened. The Holy Spirit nudges me and I notice it might have a spiritual connotation. I ponder that moment to see if I have my thoughts and intents focused on where He is bringing me. I search to see if I have crossed my conscience in my thoughts, I pause to remember if He has brought other signs to warn me to yield.
If it is true, it will only take a moment for the Holy Spirit to do His work. All He needs is an open door. We open the door by being willing and yielding, pondering and searching our hearts before Him. The Holy Spirit is quick to bring circumstances, thoughts, etc. to mind if they apply. He will bring them like little puzzle pieces one at a time into view, and then fit them into place.
The quickening: The allegory is quickened that I am not looking in the direction He has called me; my thoughts have crossed my conscience and entered the danger zone. He has placed warnings in front of me to slow down and yield my will.
Another example of definitions forming allegories: food is His rhema (living Word). The kitchen is the place in the servant’s life where His food is being organized and prepared. The kitchen can be a cluttered disaster, with little room to prepare His food; or it can be neatly organized, with a place for everything, and in order. (Sitting at His feet, reading and pondering without heart distractions, etc.)
One might be a super fast cook, sloppy and anxious to get it on the table, or slow and methodical, and very meticulous. Those who partake of the food, might attack it with great vigor, chewing little, swallowing quantities, and the food might be assimilated and digested quickly; or one might be a very picky eater, eating only certain items very slowly, with digestion taking its time. The allegory could be hilariously true how we approach our lives with the sustenance of His Living Word. However the allegory would be missed, without definition.
The definition of anything carrying people as a symbol of relationship with Him was a symbol in the beginning of my new vocabulary. Today, years later, I do not need the Holy Spirit to quicken afresh the meaning of that symbol. It is simply knowledge I have acquired, a foundation word without the thrill of discovery. It is just a word we have together as a common understanding. It has become knowledge. The quickening power of the Holy Spirit no longer quickens the WORD automobile, He quickens the CONCEPT. An example could be someone cleaning the dirt off the windows of his car. The quickening moment is when he realizes he is in a season in his relationship with the Lord when he can’t see clearly where he is going. It is quickened to him the Lord is going to help clear the vision problem.
