The "Forked-Tongue" of Discipleship

Christians endure the tension of living between two worlds, and the language of both comes easily to their lips. In a sense they speak with "forked-tongue," though this term comes laden with negative baggage. What Isaiah promises by way of escape, we believers willingly shoulder by choice--that is, to take on foreign cultures and speak for one King. 

New missionaries from our church are happily, if not awkwardly studying the language of their new country, Tajikistan. It is to be expected of all cross-cultural missionaries that they will have to enter their respective countries at the low end of the learning curve. It can be a harrying experience. So it is with the true Christian. He lives in a land not his own. He represents a God who is not wanted. He speaks a language that is not appreciated. A major difference is that he has no choice where to live, for all of this world is foreign territory. It is not a national issue, but spiritual. He can say truly, “I am not at home in this world anymore.” Hear Isaiah:

You will see no more the insolent people, the people of an obscure speech that you cannot comprehend, stammering in a tongue that you cannot understand (Isaiah 33:19).

Consider: 

1) Isaiah is preaching to an Assyrian-oppressed Israel due to their own persistent sinfulness. Thus, they had been subjected to a foreign way of life, to a people who are barbarous (for that is what "insolent" infers), speak an obscure language which cannot be understood. Their sin betrays that they had no love for God's ways, so they must suffer the "ways" of a hostile foreign culture! 

2) By contrast, Jesus' redemption reconnects the division between God and man, renews their language and reconstitutes them citizens of heaven. This is RE-creation at it's best! Peace among those with whom God's is pleased (Luke 2). 

3) Missionary activity combines both of the above turning the foreign into something good. How? Christians choose to learn a language "not their own," and enter a country often hostile to themselves. They do this out of love for God. Ironically, it was out of hatred for God that Israel was forced into exile! Now, out of love for God the redeemed volunteer! See the contrast? It is instructive and paradoxical.

Such is the nature of the true disciple's life--he lives between two worlds, fighting off the lure of temptation here in order to secure the preferred benefits of the city of God. It's two-sided, but not necessarily forked, for it does not have to be hypocritical.