Articles
No Hyperbole Needed
In the advertising world, there are quite often found terms and/or illustrations and pictures that are used to grab the potential customer's attention and, quite often, the words are hyperbole and the pictures are unrealistic. The advertisers will often claim, if challenged, that the reader or potential customer knows the words are hyperbole and knows the pictures are unrealistic, so 'no harm done.'
But in the realm of spiritual and religious matters, hyperbole is not only unneeded, it should be avoided altogether. If our aim is to truly speak truth and tell others about their spiritual condition and the promises and blessings of God, then is not the time to overstate the good or the bad. Truth does not need hyperbole to convince unbelievers, and truth does not need exaggeration to persuade. If truth is not enough to convince someone of the reality of their situation, the existence of God or heaven or hell, or of the facts that lead to belief in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, then it is not truth they actually desire.
If we consider the teaching of Jesus when He walked this earth, we find that He simply spoke truth to the hearers, and the ones who believed were the ones who accepted those words for what they were [truth], and did not need hyperbole to grab their attention and excite their senses. Jesus spoke, and then left it to the hearers to intelligently consider what He had said, weigh it in their minds, and make an informed decision. At no time did Jesus exaggerate a situation or inflate the facts to gain attention or to convince anyone of some truth; He spoke the truth and left it at that. It was all that was needed.
To make this point clear, let us consider a few things we should be teaching about, but simply as the truth and without any hyperbole.
God And His Care For Disciples. Certainly, we have the promise of God to the faithful, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5), Certainly, we have the promise, “whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15). Certainly, we have been promised He will provide our daily needs (Matt. 6:33). These promises are clearly given, and because God promised, we can be sure they are true.
Now, while we can have confidence in these promises, we should not go beyond what is written and interpret these promises to mean God has promised all His people will be continually healthy, wealthy, and live in comfort and ease. It is downright shameful that so many preachers are heard today on television and radio who promise God wants everyone to be rich and comfortable while here on earth, and if we don't have those things, it is because we don't have enough faith. For shame!
God did not promise a life of luxury and ease to those who believe, but rather tells us, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Jesus told His disciples plainly, “you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matt. 10:22). Paul taught the new disciples and encouraged them, but reminded them, too, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). We do not need to exaggerate the good we enjoy as the people of God (all spiritual blessings, Eph. 1:3), but only speak the plain and simple truth. No hyperbole is needed regarding the good or the bad that will come.
Furthermore, while God has promised to provide our every need, we should not use hyperbole in explaining what that means. Some take the words of Scripture about God's care and exaggerate that to say He directs our every word and every action, and even acts to prevent others from acting against us to harm us. Some even talk of how God opened up a parking spot at the mall just for them, led them to certain town or church, or 'spoke' to them or came to them in a dream to direct their decisions. It is not enough to read what the Scriptures actually say, and then leave it at that; some go beyond what the text says and apply their own interpretation and application and tell of things God never said. And therein is the danger.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling others about what the Scripture actually says about God's care, but we do others a disservice when we go beyond what it says and tell them we 'know' God did this or that, or will do this or that, when He has not said so. We do not need to delve into hyperbole and exaggeration to paint a picture of God that may be unrealistic or outright false. Much of what is purported to be done by the direction of God is nothing more than chance, coincidence, or pure luck. Don't stray into the realm of hyperbole when talking about the many blessings of God, but simply teach what the text says, and then leave it at that. It is enough.
The Terrors of Hell. Most everyone, whether they believe or not, knows of hell. It is said to be the place of eternal torment, where there will be a “furnace of fire [where] There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 13:50); it is said to be a place of “outer darkness” (Matt. 8:12), a place of “eternal condemnation” (Mark 3:29) and “everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:46). When we know this, and when we know that it will be an eternity where we will always be away “from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:10), do we really need to use hyperbole to describe how terrible hell will be?
Isn't it enough to know that hell is a place of unending pain and sorrow, and that we will never again have the privilege of having God hear us? No, friends and brethren, hyperbole is not needed!
The Glory of Heaven. When John saw the vision of the “New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Rev. 21:2), he was seeing a figurative view of the church, but also a glimpse into the glories of heaven itself. That city was described as a place where “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” and “no more pain” (Rev. 21:4). He would go on to describe it by saying, “the city was pure gold, like clear glass” (Rev. 21:19), and had “twelve gates” where “each individual gate was of one pearl” (Rev. 21:21).
To make this clear, the picture John saw was a vision that figuratively illustrated the glory and beauty of heaven, but only in such terms as we could hopefully grasp some measure of how great it truly is. In reality, when we reach heaven, it will be far greater than any words could possibly describe! As terrible as hell will be, heaven will be equally glorious and beautiful — no hyperbole needed! The reality of being in heaven will be such that it is more likely we will only be able to fall on our faces and join with the throngs in saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12).
Truth does not need hyperbole and it needs no exaggeration to make it appealing. Those who love the truth will be satisfied with the truth; no hyperbole needed. Those who are unsatisfied with the simple truths of these subjects and others will not be convinced by truth and have no desire for it, really. But speak the truth, speak it in love, and then leave it at that.
No hyperbole needed! — Steven Harper
