Vague

<<indistinct, fuzzy>>

We won’t know when we have received either, unless there is a clear goal or aspiration, a specific request of “letting our desires be known to God” in prayer (Ps 5:3; Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6). Rather than making a couldn’t-care-less, blurred ‘maybe’, or ambiguous response, the Bible instructs, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No’, no” (Jas 5:12). Obviously if you don’t know the truthful answer, say so.

All our communication should be clear and specific, so those receiving it unmistakably know what we are conveying as should be our instruction to others – then we can see if it has been done or not. So rather than asking general or wide-ranging questions, target a particular area and expect to receive a focused answer. If not, rephrase the question so you get a clear response. Writing things down helps to consolidate our thoughts and provides a visual reminder (if the notation is kept), besides also being an accountability check, providing measurable progress towards the goals set.

A young child needs very explicit and often repeated instructions about what the parents want them to do. Yet as they grow older and mature, the child has internalized the values of the parent so there is not the same need for continual precise instruction. Similarly with the Lord; while we should continue to ask for guidance and be attentive to His voice, His direction in most issues will become ‘second nature’, the natural response to the commands and principles of His Word rather than a ‘voice from heaven’. At other times when we seek “to understand the Lord’s will” God with an open heart His direction is not crystal clear (Eph 5:17). In these situations He may be giving us the latitude to choose, exercising our freewill and common sense inside certain perimeters.

Vague Christianity which is becoming more common today is based on human emotional speculation and personal ‘revelation’ or viewpoint, not the Word of God, consequently it does not have a reliable consistent foundation. The Holy Spirit’s role is to direct our lives into holiness and His conviction of sin is clear and specific, not an undefinable guilt feeling of condemnation that is one of Satan’s weapons. The cheap gospel promotes a belief that provided you have said the sinners prayer you can continue in an ungodly lifestyle because God in His love will overlook your blatant disregard for His requirements, sacrificing truth for grace. This is in contrast to the Bible’s teaching on sanctification which demands our full co-operation and effort together with God’s enabling to be effective.

While much of the Bible may seem ambiguous that allows for freedom of expression within certain boundaries, there are certain areas where God's will and hence the Scriptures are not ambiguous or vague but speaks clearly, such as:

* Jesus said there will be many who think they will go to heaven when they die. Yet the Bible says, those who have the Son have life, those who don’t accept and acknowledge Jesus and obey His Word will not enter heaven (Mt 7:21,26,27; 1 Jn 5:12).

* Following death we will give account of our lives (Heb 9:27). There is no second chance to turn to Christ once a person is dead.

* Christians are to put off the old life and replace it with the new, and we are left in no doubt regarding areas of sexual conduct (Eph 4:17,22-24, 5:3; 1 Pet 1:16, 4:2).

* Jesus instructs each of us who call Him our Saviour to “let our light shine”, and “go and make disciples” – these are followers of Christ who have a solid robust grounding in the faith rather than just immature converts (Mt 5:16, 28:19,20).

infiltrate the church and through deception many people will be lead astray (1 Jn 3:7). To safe guard your life, have a heart open to God and study the Bible to discern truth besides receiving sound teaching from godly leaders and live accordingly knowing you will give account as to how you have lived in regard to its message (Jn 12:48; Act 17:11). Similarly we should always be ready give a clear, concise, no-compromise presentation of the gospel (1 Pet 3:15).

See also: ambiguous, apostles creed, cheap gospel, commandments, compromise, discernment, disciple/discipleship, eternal security, false teachers, foundation, foundational truths, interpretation, hearing God’s voice, truth, uncertain.