Speaking in a different language around someone who doesn't understand it is one of the surest ways to exclude them from a conversation. When I was at school, backslang was a popular way that students communicated covertly. The technique could vary from one school to another but it mainly consisted of distorting words by placing "uvag" or a similar sound in the middle of them. For example, "hi" would become "huvagi". It was largely employed so that pupils could talk about things without teachers or their peers knowing what they were saying. I never really got the hang of it so I never grasped what people were saying when they used it.
In a similar way, some of the terms that Christians use on a daily basis can prove impossible for non-Christians to understand, and can leave them feeling excluded from conversations about God and confused about Christianity.
A lot of the "Christianese" (Christian jargon) that we use is founded in scripture but, as with any language, the words and phrases used, and their meanings, have evolved over time. Because language shouldn't be a barrier to sharing your beliefs (Acts 2:6-12), here are the meanings behind some commonly used Christian terms.
Fruits of the Spirit - Fruits in this phrase bears no relation to children or anything edible. Think more along the lines of results and less about offspring, apples and pears. Fruits of the Spirit are actually the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The phrase is firmly rooted in Scripture and is best explained by it: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
Filled with the Spirit - If you thought this was alluding to alcohol consumption then you couldn't be further from the truth. Being "filled with the Spirit" is not the same as "filling yourself with spirits". Following on from the fruits of the Spirit, the phrase "filled with the Spirit" is in reference to the Holy Spirit dwelling within someone. Someone filled with the Spirit is able to experience deep joy that is greater than the temporary and worldly happiness that material things offer, and is equipped to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.
Testimony - Not related to court appearances, unless they somehow form part of the individual's story. Someone's account of how they came to believe in God and accept Christ as their Saviour.
Marketplace - No, this is not somewhere you go to buy your fresh fruit and veg, in Christian speak, it refers mostly to Christians involved in business.
Plant - If gardening comes to mind, you're on the right track. This is a newly set-up church.
Prayed up - If "laced up" means you're ready to step your game up and take on a challenge, and "turned up" refers to a change in your state of mind and behaviour, then "prayed up" is the Christian equivalent. Not following? That's probably because this is a term thats use is largely restricted to the most trendiest of Christians. This refers to the feeling of spiritual nourishment and readiness received following prayer in advance of beginning a particular task.
Holy Days of Obligation - Most people might be able to guess what this means but not which days it refers to. Holy days of obligation are feasts and days of spiritual significance in which Catholics are required to attend Mass. These include: Sunday, Christmas Day and All Saints' Day.
Witness - Think you've been a witness? Think again. It's nothing to do with seeing a crime take place. Witness refers to the act of sharing faith through actions or words.
Rooted - In general terms rooted means to be established deeply in something, the meaning is similar in Christianity but more accurately refers to being rooted in Christ. Essentially, it's when someone's actions and outlook are determined by Christ's because their faith in him runs deep.
Relationship, not religion - Despite what you might think, this phrase isn't a get out clause for single Christians. Religion is seen by a lot of people as restrictive and the root of all the world's ills. In a bid to counter this argument, some Christians have opted to distance Christianity from the term and focus on the relationship that believers have with God instead.
Blessed Sacrament - In the Catholic Church this refers to the body and blood of Christ in the form of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). There are seven sacraments (rites) within the church, these are: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Penance.
Love offering - Before you start thinking this is something seedy, let me explain. A love offering is the gift of money donated from the heart to pay for the expenses incurred by a guest speaker. Buckets or baskets are passed around the church and people give what they can.
