Five Minute Friday - Clarify

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One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.

let me clarify

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When someone says, "Let me clarify," what's really going on? I thought about my reaction to hearing those words and I think my response is usually related to my opinion of the person saying it. Some people I assume are going to further explain a statement or situation. Maybe even moderate or qualify an earlier statement that was too general or poorly worded. And there are some people who would say they wanted to clarify a statement, and my gut reaction would be that they are trying to squirm around a lie, or that the clarification they're about to offer will actually make things murkier instead of clearer.

No matter what my reaction, the information is already out there, and the clarification I need is what to do with information. How to interpret it correctly, what action I might need to take once I understand the information, or how I need to apply that knowledge practically. It's what we often call wisdom or discernment.

And boy, do we need it in the world today! There's lots of information and plenty of statements of facts and opinions on all kinds of topics available. We need clarity on what is reliable and what is important; what is true and what is not, what things are factual or non-negotiable and what things are personal preference and opinion. We also need clarity on how to respond and make decisions. We need wisdom and discernment.

More important than the quest for certainty is the quest for clarity. ~ Francois Gautier

Thankfully, even though there is confusion and muddiness all around us, God has given us his Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the wisdom and stability we need. When we decide to listen to what God is saying, and ask him to help us understand, he will clarify the meaning of Scripture to us and help us discern what is right and good.

Let those who are wise understand these things.

Let those with discernment listen carefully.

The paths of the LORD are true and right,

and righteous people live by walking in them.

But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

~Hosea 14:9~

Give discernment to me, your servant;

then I will understand your laws.

~Psalm 119:125~

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. . . But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

~Hebrews 5:11, 14~

You see, the information is all there for us. If we'll take the time to pray and study and think - and to listen to the Holy Spirit - God will clarify all that we need to know and we'll be training ourselves in discernment.

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This post is linked at Five Minute Friday for the word prompt "Clarify".

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