"The Term Hell"

It has become a sad commentary in our society. Recently reading someones comments who claimed Christianity, they used a term that is rather disturbing but they apparently give no thought to the seriousness of it. By their usage of this word, it was probably fairly common in their language. What are we speaking about? The term 'hell'. This term is used to describe many things in our society and has found its way into the communication of many of those claiming Christ.

People use the word 'hell' to describe a hot day outside to a good meal. Others use it as an exclamation of surprise or wonder. People do not realize that this final, tragic abode of those unreconciled to God is a place to torment and horror. The term 'hell' is thrown around and used to describe common, ordinary events in life. Have you ever heard anyone speak of their golf game as 'going to prison' or 'this is an aids of a traffic jam!'? Do we hear anyone say, 'what the cancer is going on'? Those terms supplied speak of tragic things that we don't like to think about and take seriously. Yet the most tragic eternal thing we could think of called 'hell' is used in such an empty and shallow way.

Satan knows that if he can cause 'hell' to appear as casual or less serious, we will not take serious eternity in our own lives. From the beginning the devil set out to minimize the teachings of God. He told Eve that God didn't mean what He said and things would not happen the way God said they would happen (Gen. 3:1-5). He lied and deceived them and is doing the same to many today.

'Hell' is the ultimate tragedy where Jesus describes it as a place "where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:44). Jesus revealed to John that is was the second death, the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15). 'Hell' is the final resting place of all those who are not one with Jesus and it is an eternal place of horror and punishment. It is such a horrid place that Jesus willingly gave His life to rescue us from this eternal punishment.

Let's not be a part of Satan's deception to minimize 'hell' by slinging the word in a causal, common, every day term. We need to be sober minded and realize that careless words thrown around, there will be accountability (Matt. 12:36). It might be time to listen to our language and take our word usage seriously!