122 Adversarial Meanings

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

Keeping the adversarial orientation of positive and negative meaning in mind, I’m now going to pair and briefly comment on 3 special issues with adversarial positions— opposing positive and negative meanings—the positive meaning first and the negative second:

Issue#1: The Value of Life

The value of life can mean—life is precious (to one) vs. Life is cheap (to another).

Positive: To the Triune God, life is precious (Genesis 2:7, NKJV).

Negative: To the Adversary, life is cheap (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV). Try to discuss the value of life with a pro-abortionist (who has bought into the Adversary’s trickery) and you will see what I mean.

Issue#2: The Identity of God

The identity of God can mean—God is a freedom-loving, living, personal, just, loving and forgiving Father-God (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV) (to one) vs. god is a vengeful, controlling, condemning and impersonal deity, or simply non-existent (various religions/cults) (to another).

Positive: Scripture, which is authoritative, assures us God is all the positive meanings described here and more, and that this positive meaning is the only true experience of God. Scripture also denies the validity of any other type of god experience (Exodus 20:1-6, NKJV).

Negative: There are actually groups that adhere to the tenets of contrived belief systems that endorse and promote all kinds of horrific behavior (human sacrifice, cannibalism, stoning, mutilation, etc.) on the authority of their god.

It seems so odd to me that someone could actually be devoted to a god who could mean truly negative things to her/him.

Issue#3: The Duty of Humankind

The duty of humankind can mean—love one another (to one) vs. every man for himself (to another).

Positive: Jesus commands believers to “love one another” (John 15:12, NKJV).

Negative: The Adversary sows dissent (Acts 13:8, NKJV) and is a murderer and the father of lies (John 8:44, NKJV).

My advice? Don’t be on a sinking ship with someone who thinks duty means every man for himself.

To be continued . . .