Skip to main content

Safe and Sound

In my last post, I wrote about words that are not “idle” words.  In fact, those not idle words bring life.

In this post, I want to focus on words that are “sound” words.

“Sound” has many meanings beyond auditory.  “Sound” is also:

 

  • free from flaw, defect, or decay
  • solid, firm, stable
  • secure, reliable
  • free from error, fallacy or misapprehension
  • based on thorough knowledge and experience
  • agreeing with accepted views

 

The sound words that we need for life come from Jesus:  “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,” (1 Tim 6:3)

To give some insight into just how sound these words are, listed below is how some other versions of the Bible translate “sound words”:

 

  • Sound instruction
  • Wholesome words
  • True teaching
  • Healthy words
  • Accurate words
  • True words

 

When I think of all those descriptors of His sound words, the phase “safe and sound” comes to mind.  That phrase is typically used to express relief or reassurance after a potentially risky or dangerous situation.  It’s also used to indicate that a person (or persons) is no longer in harm’s way and they are in good condition or are unharmed.

But there’s another interesting use of the phrase “safe and sound” that particularly drew my attention.  “Safe and sound” can be used metaphorically to convey emotional well-being or security.  And in that regard, the words of Jesus are exactly what we need!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Little Words, Big Impact

Sometimes we get caught up in the big words and that certainly has its place.   But, sometimes I think I appreciate the little words even more.   These are one or two or three letters words that can have big meaning and big impact. Take the word “I”.   It is a pronoun that often is used to identify the one who might be communicating.   The communication could be something like “I love you” or “I forgive you” or “I will do that.”   Meaning and impact from a word with just one letter! Take the word “no”.   It can put a stop to things. For example, you could have what you think is a really great idea but if you receive a no, your great idea comes to a screeching halt.   Meaning and impact from a word with just two letters! Take the word “yes”.   It can set things in motion.   For example, perhaps you are in love with that certain special person and you ask that question and they say yes.   Big things are set into motion and yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

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 separatio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Flee From/Flee To

If you are going to flee, do it right! What?   Give me a chance to explain! But first, let’s land on what it might mean to flee.   To flee is to run away from a place or situation of danger or evil.   It also means to hurry toward a place of safety. So, here are some possible explanations: 1.   Flee when God tells you: Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt , and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”  (Matt 2:13)   2.   But don’t try to flee from God: But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord . He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord .  (Jonah 1:3)     3.   Flee from danger: For they have fled from the ...
Post a Comment
Read more