Listen!
Personal Pronouns
Have you ever completely trusted another individual, only later to discover that he or she was the opposite of whom you imagined, hoped, and believed that person to be? I have. It’s disconcerting and sad, to say the least. The truth is that it hurts. It’s painful. In many instances, it crushes your spirit and soul.
Consequently, you learn to distrust anyone with whom you come into contact. Why is this so? Quite simply, it’s because you do not wish to endure such agony and torment again. Rather, you desire to protect your heart from this affliction. Thus you endeavor to remain distant from others so that they can’t cause you distress. This is the natural response to another person willingly inflicting misery and heartache upon you. It makes certain sense. Why would you seek to give your mind, body, and spirit to any other person ever again? You would not.
This reality exists in many of our lives. It stinks. The truth is that none of us truly knows the soul of another individual. Only God knows the innermost region of every person. As such, how do we proceed both to procure and enjoy meaningful, truthful, honest, and delightful relationships with others? We must vigorously strive to comprehend another person spiritually. Even if we have passionately sought this in the past to our own hurt, we must now more fervently and zealously do so. If any seeks to befriend us, we must attempt with all our might to powerfully peel from that person each pretentious layer that he or she possesses, beginning with the outermost veneer until we can clearly see and understand that person’s soul. Only in this manner, will we truthfully be able to achieve spiritually beneficial relationships with other individuals.
The primary component to possessing only God-fearing alliances is the elimination of ungodly associations. This can be easily accomplished by listening to a person’s speech. In other words, you are able to determine the disposition of another person based on his or her verbal communication. This is particularly true as it pertains to the way in which a fellow human being voices personal pronouns. Does he or she predominantly express these pronouns singularly in the first person, or does he or she chiefly declare these pronouns plurally in the first person? Listen for the difference. Be attentive. Take notice. The contrast is revealing.
If one constantly utters these pronouns in a singular manner, flee from this person as fast as you are able. On the other hand, if one speaks these pronouns in their plural forms, take heed. This is a positive sign. This individual has willingly removed his or her first layer for you without your influence. This of itself is quite remarkable. You might be able to forge a sincere friendship with such a person. Choosing to be keenly aware of the disparity between these two types of people and their speech is key to eradicating suffering in your life with respect to your relationships.
Let’s briefly discuss how this is so. The list of singular first-person pronouns includes I, me, my, mine, and myself. Does anything stand out to you when reading these particular pronouns? What immediately comes to mind—anything at all? I hope that it does. Obviously, these pronouns are words. They are universal. Each tribe, tongue, nationality, and people speaks these words. They are in our own personal vocabulary. We utter these words each day. They are necessary for proper communication to occur. Without these pronouns, we would be unable to fully express ourselves to another person. They are indeed meaningful. They are powerful. They are personal. They reveal who we are and what we wish to convey concerning ourselves individually. Thus, we must declare these pronouns correctly to accurately divulge our souls’ true intents and convictions. We must not use these words haphazardly. We must not speak these words incorrectly. We know this. Each one of us does. This is certain. Plainly understanding this to be true, be mindful of the manner in which you speak and hear these specific pronouns voiced.
Let’s be honest. The vast majority of mankind utters these pronouns with arrogance, conceit, and sinful pride. Listen. You hear it. It’s not difficult to comprehend, not in the very least. God has given you ears to hear. He has richly blessed you with a brain and mind to process the meaning of what others speak. The truth is that you must utilize your sense of hearing, especially as it relates to the speech of fellow human beings. Furthermore, having heard another talk, it is impossible not to analyze his or her words. You simply must put that person’s comments or remarks into perspective. You are perfectly created to reason and logically place another person’s speech into an unambiguous context. You are purposely granted both the ability and the desire to understand the substance of other people’s words. Therefore, sincerely apply these gifts to your spiritual benefit as you listen to everyone else. Earnestly exercise these talents for the holy edification of those whom you hear speak. Do not relax your hearing. Remain vigilant in striving to recognize the essence of what others are saying. I say again, “Listen.”
People who constantly speak singular, first-person pronouns, do so for one reason: They are intently focused on themselves. In this, there is no doubt. They are centered on their own accomplishments, achievements, and acquisitions. As they speak these words, they are truly saying, “Look at me. Notice me. I am powerful. I am talented. I am smart. I am successful. Of my own accord, I have obtained much. I am invincible. I need no help. All things are subservient to me. I am immortal. Bow before me. Worship me. Glean all manner of wisdom directly from me. I am omniscient. I alone have created my illustrious renown. None can thwart me. Get out of my way. The world is my oyster. I shall procure for myself anything I desire. Watch me. Learn from me. I am God.”
Their absolute rejection of God is undeniable. Do you know how? Do you know why? Of course, you do. First of all, every person who draws or will draw a breath is certain that God alone grants every gift to us men, women, and children on the earth. None can discount this verity, no matter how persistently one may attempt to do it. This is unequivocal. This is our experience. We genuinely live in the knowledge that all we possess is graciously given us from God above. For one to claim otherwise, one is explicitly lying.
Each of us is cognizant of the fact that we are powerless to secure anything for ourselves apart from the merciful hand of God. We truly live in the supreme consciousness that all things belong to God. We surely comprehend that He, in His infinite wisdom, thoughtfully bestows each gift to each individual as He deems fit for His honor and glory. We each know this. We understand, therefore, that nothing we call our own is in fact our own. Everything we boast as ours is not ours. Rather, it is God’s. He has of His own volition chosen to bless us with all that we possess for His praise. This is undoubtedly our truth. We are unable to escape this reality.
As such, when you hear other people’s constant, pompous, and intentional usage of singular first-person pronouns, you clearly grasp their souls. Make no mistake. You emphatically know what they mean. Thus, you have only two options. You either humbly confront and call them to repentance or hastily run from their presence for your own salvation. Why are these two your only choices? It is because their speech declares that they are undoubtedly selfish. Their mouths plainly demonstrate that they care neither for God nor you. They are only concerned for their own well-being. Their interests lie in themselves alone. Hence, they proudly manifest their sincere hatred for God and you. This loathing is obvious.
It is purposeful. How is it? First, these individuals are deliberate and calculated liars. They know that at any moment, all of their possessions can be taken away. They are intimately acquainted with the fact that they are mortal. They will die. At that point, their belongings are no longer theirs. Their assets are truly meaningless, and their relevance ceases to exist. At the core of their beings, all people know that this is true. It is irrefutable.
In simple terms, we do not take anything with us when we die. From dust, we are created. To dust, we shall return in death. How many lifeless corpses have you witnessed in their coffins? Do they possess heartbeats? Are they able to breathe? Stuff as many of their worldly goods as possible alongside them in their coffins. Do you observe them enjoying these chattels? Do they cling to them and speak about them glowingly? Are they encouraged to reside within the confined and airtight space of their coffins, six-feet underground and adjacent to what they have acquired here on earth?
Clearly, their boats, cars, and houses are unable to fit in their coffins. Do you believe the deceased are able to amuse themselves with these valuables as you observe them lowered to their final resting places and ultimately buried in the dirt? Of course, you don’t. They are dead. You fervently realize this each time you attend a funeral or a burial for the departed.
The purpose of funerals and burials is to unmistakably remind us of our own mortality. These services leave us with the understanding that we are alive on this earth for a brief period. As we observe the dead before us with our very own eyes, we indubitably understand that their spirits no longer inhabit their flesh and bones. They cannot relish or despise any of their possessions. They are gone. This is an integral portion of death’s lesson for us. Just as the dead before us have no power to transport their earthly goods with them to the afterlife, neither do we. This is definite. This is indisputable. We cannot deny this truth. Thus, we know that all we have acquired is truly temporal. Death teaches us that the things that have remained constant throughout the history of mankind undeniably pertain to us also.
All things are God’s. We enjoy His gifts for a short time on this earth while we are alive. We are powerless to take any of our earthly belongings with us beyond the grave. Therefore, recognize the brazen conceit of individuals who incessantly refer to themselves singularly and utter first-person pronouns. They unabashedly look death directly in the eye and arrogantly declare victory over death, thereby proclaiming themselves as more powerful than God Himself. They look into your eyes and profess the same thing. They sinfully demand, therefore, that you join them in the absolute repudiation of God’s plain and perfectly revealed truth to us: Nothing belongs to us. Everything belongs to God.
As such, they purposely lie and require you to falsify the truth as well. In this, they clearly manifest their detestation of God and you. Do not doubt this. Only those who hate God and you would insist that you believe and live a lie. Hence, you must command these types of people to renounce their intended untruth. You must resolutely stand in contradiction to them. If they persist in the lie, hurriedly flee from them. Know that they have only your destruction in mind. Run from them. Stay away from them. Save your soul by absenting from them.
Second, these individuals refuse to live humbly by design. Their hearts are set upon glorifying themselves. Their grandest desire is to receive the praise of people on account of all that they have acquired and achieved on Earth. They behave in a haughty manner. They are immodest. They proclaim themselves to be almighty, all knowing, and the ultimate formidable forces whom none should question or contradict. They endeavor with all of their might to demonstrate that they alone are the quintessential rationale and causation that has created their worldly good fortunes. They pay no homage to God. They attribute none of their accomplishments to God’s grace. They never audibly express veneration, appreciation, or adulation for the one true God of heaven and earth, who has mercifully granted them their blessings, gifts, or possessions.
As if this were not horrid enough, their hearts are consumed with yet another objective. They malevolently seek to dominate, control, and influence all others and only for their own benefits and pleasures. They wish to lord themselves over all mankind. They crave power, prestige, and honor. They stop at nothing to receive this recognition. From the moment they awake until they fade off to sleep each night, their souls ardently scheme to gain authority over all humanity. They set themselves on high. They delight at the prospect of creating in you and everyone else the sincere belief that they alone are the masters of their domain.
Furthermore, they fervently wish that all will, as a result, cast aside the truth that steadfastly occupies their souls and position their faith and trust in them instead. If they accomplish this, God is no longer meaningful in the lives of mankind. The intrinsic knowledge, which has been firmly planted in our hearts and minds, that we are utterly reliant upon our almighty God is removed from us. Therefore, they accomplish victory over us, for we are at their mercy. They become our confidence and assurance. They are now our God.
Are they the ones with whom you wish to associate? Are these the type of people you yearn to call your friends? No, they are not. You know this. Do not indulge such people. Give them no credence. They will only bring you complete sorrow and sadness. They will certainly destroy your soul. Again, I beg of you to flee from these people now.
Don’t be sad. Don’t lose hope. Be filled with happiness. Why? There is another type of person in this life who resolutely stands in stark contradiction to these abominable people, whom we have been contemplating. You know this as well. You see them. You hear them. They are conspicuous. They are distinctive. They are just as easily recognizable as the aforementioned selfish people.
How can we recognize them? Their speech is wholly comprised of plural first-person pronouns such as we, us, our, and ourselves rather than and instead of the singular. These people know why they speak in that fashion. They are not liars. They live in humility.
You may be asking how this is so. Well, in order for people to purposely communicate using plural first-person pronouns, they truly understand where they stand in relation to their supreme omnipotent God. As opposed to those previously discussed, their complete confidence lies only in the one true God of heaven and earth. They know without any reservation, they are entirely dependent upon their God for their heartbeats, breath, wisdom, blessings, belongings, and gifts. Indeed, their sincere comfort rests solely in the irrefutable truth that without their God, they thoroughly understand themselves to be nothing. They are worthless in and of themselves and apart from God—period.
As such, they do not lie. Rather, they fully acknowledge the truth, which we each inherently identify as both literal and accurate. They relish this ideal. Thus, they truthfully exhibit modesty and meekness rather than arrogance and pride. Furthermore, they live honestly, humbly, and as a direct consequence of their God reigning and ruling over their hearts, souls, and minds. They faithfully love and serve their God first. They diligently love, assist, and care for their neighbor second. They constantly strive to live in obedience to their God while performing all manner of kindnesses to others. They do not think that they are mighty and all knowing. They do not seek or demand personal praise and adulation. They earnestly seek the glory and honor of their wondrous and majestic God above all.
They are dedicated and devoted to magnifying and praising their God in each of their thoughts, words, and deeds. In this light, they speak of we, us, and our instead of I, me, and mine. They desire your and our pleasure and delight and not my joy and gratification. By God’s grace, they are unwilling to crave their own earthly lusts. Rather, they sincerely set their hearts on the needs of others. They hunger and thirst for happiness and joy to be in the hearts and minds of those whom God has placed in their lives. Indeed, they are enthusiastically eager for your peace and our salvation.
Search for these types of people. When you find them, do not let them go. Live with these individuals and continually inspire one other to serve your God in heaven by fervently loving others first before yourselves. Stop living a lie. Do not seek peace with those whom you know are selfish.
The result will invariably remain the same. You know this. Only two types of people exist in this world: givers and takers. Which one are you? Don’t lie to yourself. Be brutally honest. How do you classify those with whom you choose to associate? Believe me, you do categorize them. You know the answer. Your soul is not confused. Life is simple. You alone complicate your life. Stop doing so. Confess who you are. Admit who others are.
Seek ardent fellowship only with those who lovingly give. Happily flee those who selfishly take. Listen to the speech of those in your life. I promise you that the way that they speak of themselves definitely reveals who they are. Simply paying attention to another person’s speech allows you to fully comprehend the true intent and substance of every individual. Take notice of each person’s words. Let them soak in. Scrutinize remarks. Ask yourself, Is this person selfish or selfless? Is this individual a giver or a taker? Does he or she have my interest or hurt in mind? I pledge to you that if one speaks predominantly using singular first-person pronouns, one is selfish, a taker, and completely conceited. He or she will harm you.
On the other hand, you have my earnest guarantee that if one expresses oneself principally employing plural first-person pronouns, one is selfless, a giver, humble, respectful, and decent. He or she will not injure you. He or she seeks your advantage and thinks of you first.
My friends, this is not an unknown concept to you. You must merely exercise your God-given talents and abilities. Your eyes, ears, brain, and soul unequivocally confirm that which is right, proper, and true. This is certain in every aspect of your life. This is patently true regarding other people in your life.
It is my sincere hope that you will take the time to listen to others more carefully. My wish for you is that you will unwaveringly recognize whether a person is proud or meek as that person speaks. My prayer for you is that you will act properly on the basis of this person’s communication. Will you permit yourself to fraternize with those that you surely know to be self-centered all the while knowing that their vain words will afflict your senses and soul? Or will you jubilantly choose to revere your God by removing yourself from the individual whose speech is filled with conceit and therefore, deliberate shameful hatred for both you and your God? Will you passionately love your God above all or sinfully cherish yourself?
The choice is yours. Either serve yourself and endure unquestionable turmoil, sorrow, and pain or love your God and taste certain comfort, peace, and joy. Choose the latter. You will suffer far less agony at the hands of another in your life. I promise you this. May God grant you persistence in this undertaking. May God sustain you in this effort. May God richly bless your life as you choose Him before any other.