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Double Entendre


Double entendre:  a word or expression used so that it can be understood in two ways. 

For example:

Seriously struggle with sin:

1.  Some people seriously struggle with sin.  That is, they see how easily sin entangles and they take their struggle with sin seriously and overcome it.

2.  Some people seriously struggle with sin.  That is, sin easily entangles them and they have serious struggles with sin and they never seem to overcome it.

The example is not just theoretical, it is real.  And it is likely that many of us have experienced both over the course of our lives.  But whatever you have experienced, I have some more double entendres that follow a bad news/good news format:

1.  Sin is costly.  The cost is spiritual death.  But we have a Savior who paid the cost with His own life so that we can live spiritually.

2.  Sin has consequences. The consequence of sin is eternal separation from God.  But we have an eternal Savior who suffered the consequences by dying and rising again to restore us to God. 

3.  Sin conquers.  Sin conquerors all.  But we have a Savior who conquered all sin.

4.  Sin wounds.  Sin causes grievous wounds that lead to death.  But we have a Savior who was grievously wounded for our sins that we might live.

5.  Sin defies.  Sin is defiance to God.  But we have a Savior who defied sin and death and brought us back to God.

6.  Sin masters.  Sin masters us.  But we have a Savior who is Master of all and was not and is not ever mastered by sin.

The bad news is so very overwhelming but the good news is that Jesus totally overwhelms all of it!

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