If you do a quick online search for the definition of “lingo,” you’ll find something like this: “A language or vocabulary that is specific to a certain subject, group of people, or region; including slang and jargon.”  In short, “lingo” is specialized speech from some niche of society.

For example, one can sit in a mall in “big-city” America and hear a variety of lingos.  There’s distinct inner-city lingos, cultural lingos, and high school lingos, just to name a few.  And even those will vary based on the location from which the people speaking derived!  As discussed in a recent Bible study at the churches I serve, there are also gender lingos for both men and women.

The same is true of various sports, activities and hobbies.  For example, “ducks on the pond” means something quite specific to baseball players, and something totally different to most other people.

As a matter of record, I don’t speak inner-city lingo, though I am fascinated when I hear it.  However, my brother came up with a modified Scrabble game called “Red-necked Scrabble.”  A number of years ago when I played it, my wife was rather alarmed at how easily I slipped into the jargon … even winning my first game with some “hunkey-dorey dandified” words!

In that same vein, I wonder if we as Christians don’t sometimes slip into “God lingo.”  We use catch-phrase words which are absolutely Bible-based, but which have lost some of their impact to us.

This can work both ways.  We hear the words, but they don’t fully register in our minds and hearts.  Or we say the words at the right time and right place, but they have somehow turned into simply “the right words to say.”

I think the God-lingo list is long for many believers.  Here are a few words that come to my mind as perhaps lacking their proper punch to the average Christian:

“Triune” or “Trinity” – The words flow off our tongues so casually in worship – a creed, hymn or prayer.  Furthermore, “Trinity” is often part of a church or school name.  Asked to define the words, and God’s people can easily spout off, “Three persons in one God.”   But pause for a moment and consider this truth: three distinct persons making up one distinct God!  This is such a deep concept that we can’t even begin to wrap our minds around it!  An incomprehensibly complex God, yet one who is absolutely devoted to us.  (Which is the most incomprehensible aspect of God of all!)  The words should inspire the deepest of awe in anyone who “understands” them and the Lord they describe.

“God loves” – Not the generic “God is love,” but rather, “God loves me!”  How astounding!  We are well aware of how unworthy of God’s love we are.  Yet the unmistakable message of the Scriptures is that the Triune God … the Creator God … the holy God … the All-in-All and Everything God … does love us.  It’s a love so profound that he left heaven so we could one day go there to be with him forever.  A love so devoted that it abides with us even in our day-to-day lives here on earth.  “God’s love” are words that should never be taken lightly by any child of God.

“Paid for” / “Forgiveness” – As in, “your sins are paid for,” or “you are forgiven.”  The phrases are often spoken and often heard.  But don’t let their common usage empty them of the significance of the truth!  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  The atoning payment for our transgressions, and the forgiveness it won for us, cost God’s Son dearly!  But thanks be to Jesus, he paid the price in full!

“Saved” / “Salvation” – These are perhaps two of the most commonly used words in “God lingo,” and understandably so.  They express the central message of the Bible; we are saved and headed to eternal salvation.  But please never let their frequent usage keep you (or me!) from ever being totally overwhelmed at the wonder of this truth.  We were spiritually lost, blind, and chained … dead in our sins and doomed to damnation.  And God saved us and made us heirs of salvation!  (Titus 3:7).  All of eternity will be too short to properly praise him for the blessing.

“Faith” – This is not a reliance upon good fortune or the ability of self, but a confidence centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God … our Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, and Savior.  It’s not self-manufactured, but a profound gift of the Holy Spirit produced through contact with God’s Gospel.  “Faith” is no small thing.  It never was and never will be.  In fact, faith in Jesus our Savior is the balm to our conscience, the gateway to our earthly peace, and our ultimate ticket to heaven.  “Faith” is never a word to be casually dismissed.

“Trust” – A frequently stated word about an incredibly important concept that many Christians struggle to self-apply.  “Trust” is not a wishy-washy hope that things will somehow work out, but a rock-solid confidence that our loving God will keep his promises to us and provide for our every need … in his way and in his time.  The Holy Spirit describes it this way: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).  

“Providence” – This is a word frequently offered to encourage self or others.  “Providence” is not good fortune or the positive side of karma.  It’s the God of the Bible providing for us – typically in common ways, but sometimes in extraordinary ones.  The longer God’s people live, the more they can point back to God’s remarkable and repeated providential activity in their lives.  Which encourages trust.  (See the previous entry.) 

“Church” – For many, “church” describes a building that one attends now and then … at least on the holidays.  But “church” describes so much more.  The Scriptures refer to the church as the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 1212-27) and even the “Bride of Christ” (Rev. 19:7).  It’s not just a structure or a gathering place, but a living, spiritual entity made up of God’s people and empowered by God himself.  Somewhat dysfunctional because of sin, it nevertheless is the earthly family of God where his children can be encouraged, uplifted and spiritually blessed through his Word.

These are some of the “God lingo” words that came to my mind.  This is by no means a comprehensive list.  Do you have some others you think should be added to the list?  If so, please list them in the comments section of this blog. 

In the meantime, may we remember these Bible truths: “All Scripture is God-breathed …” (2 Timothy 3:16), and ^“these [words] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).