The most memorable truths are memorable because they are simple and mirror their espoused claims in universal ways. Hence, “Love never fails,” “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” “It is more blessed to give than receive” and “Do to others what you would have them do to you” satisfy the essential qualities of memorable truth. They are simple, clearly stated and universally applicable. Plus, they have the ring of truth rather than passing fancy or popular cliché. There is a timelessness about them.
If a statement one is presenting as truth requires elaborate clarification, protracted explanation or relentless defense, it loses these essential qualities of truth. Sesquipedalianism is the preferred tendency toward the use of large words or long winded speech. Jesus referred to sesquipedalian prayer when he said it is like pagan babbling marked by many words (Matthew 6:7). It was not a compliment.
Our prayer should be direct because as Jesus said in the next verse, “Your father knows what you need before you ask.” Our speech and our corresponding practice should also be anchored in truth without requiring elaborate schemes to make our case. Jesus spoke truth. Most of it was remembered in its essence by the disciples because it was simple, clear and seemed to be universally applied. It was anchored even more firmly in that he practiced what he preached, something the teachers of the law did not do (Matthew 23:3).
So, for the sesquipedalians among us, don’t let your rantings or musings go too far or become too complex or stretch beyond your own ability to live out well. Let’s express the truth simply and seek the Spirit’s aid to live it perfectly. That’s much better than impressing people with big words like sesquipedalianism.