SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE OF GOD'S PEOPLE

" And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people." Nehemiah 13:24)

When Nehemiah returned to rebuild Jerusalem and repair the walls, he found a deplorable condition. The remnant of the Jewish men there had taken wives from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab – all of whom were heathen, and unknowledgeable of the ways of the Lord. As a result of this intermarriage, many of the people could no longer speak in the Jews language. Half of the people "spoke the language of Ashdod," or the language of some other people with whom they had been unequally yoked. It was a grievous condition for which Nehemiah severely upbraided the people. This involved more than merely speaking in a language of preference. The Jews were a Divinely cultured people. God had spoken to them at Sinai, revealing laws that reflected His character and manners. He had sent them prophets who faithfully delivered His mind, assessing their condition, instructing them in the ways of the Lord, issuing solemn warnings, and announcing promises of blessing to come. All of this moved them to speak differently from other peoples. Their speech was actually dominated by references to God. They spoke of life, foods, agriculture, travels, etc., with the Living God as their reference point. Their gatherings were for different purposes. Their assessments of life were driven by a different focus. Their language reflected their exposure to the Lord and His Law. When the people no long knew the "Jews language" they no longer had a correct perspective. They became spiritually ignorant, more easily deceived, and more unacquainted with the ways of the Lord. This was not a few souls, but "half of their children." All of this was produced by mixed marriages – the very thing that brought Solomon down (Neh 13:26).
Today we are faced with a similar situation. There is to be a certain manner of speech among the people of God. Their vocabulary is shaped by Scripture, by "words taught by the Spirit" NIV (1 Cor 2:13). This trait has nearly disappeared among professed believers. Today "Christians speak more like the world. Their vocabulary is shaped by the wisdom and expressions of "this present evil world." The "buzz words" in the churches are not Bible words, nor do they represent Scriptural concepts. The manner of speech we are hearing confirms there  has been an ungodly merger with the world. That is why a person who speaks in the language of Scripture appears to be something of a spiritual freak. Such a one finds it difficult to fit in the religious framework of the