CUCHES not limited to effectuating witness couched in King James clichés. In fact, from the standpoint of com munication alone, it would be true to say that the Christian can make his witness more effective by avoiding the cliché trap. Getting over clichés means the Christian communicator must read, listen and think. His language will reflect what he reads and listens to. He must investigate writers and speakers who put eternal truth in timely English. When he himself is prepared to speak of personal spir itual issues, he must force himself —even struggle if necessary—de liberately to find words that deliver the right meaning to his hearer. By thought-discipline and word- discipline a Christian's language can become fresh and spontane ous. He may still like to read his King James Bible, but he will have consciously worked to span the 300-year linguistic gulf between the men who translated it and the men with whom he is trying to share Christ. One way to rid yourself of ad diction to Christian clichés is to mix at times with a variety of non- Christians. Constant conversation with "saints only" is bound to limit your expression of Christian truth. Or teach some preschool children what the basic Christian doctrines are. You will find you cannot fall back on technical jargon with them. The problem of clichés may be connected to one's own spiritual sterility. It is hard to speak in a fresh, contemporary way if you have not kept fresh in your own relationship with Christ. Fresh con versation, like fresh water, comes from a constant inflow. Christianity offers undeniably the
most relevant, practical message going. It offers a whole new life and an incomparable Lord — if Christians will work at their com munication of it and not be con tent to coast along with second hand experiences and stereotyped language. Want to conquer your cliché habits? For a starter, write out what the Lord has done for you and then go back over it, scratch out every cliché and replace each one with common ordinary words which tell what the clichés mean. It will not be easy. But this simple exercise will not only im prove your language, but give you a better understanding of what Je sus Christ has really done for you. And how you can give others that invaluable understanding. Reprint by permission: TODAY, Septem ber 10, 1972.
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