"Walk in wisdom towards those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV
Our conduct is how people judge Christianity. We are watched practically on a daily basis by unbelievers. Many, in this day and age of political correctness, abortion and LGBGT rights, will try to draw us into debates which often result in arguments about these issues. In times such as these, we need extreme wisdom to help us know how to handle these situations. If we say too much, we can be judged and, if we say too little, we can be accused of not caring. Sometimes it can be very difficult and it may be wiser to only say what you feel the Holy Spirit is leading you to say.
Christians have always been seen as 'odd' to unbelievers. In the early church, believers were accused of being cannibals because of the way Jesus had described, eating the flesh and drinking the blood. And this is what we are up against; people latch on to just a part of what we say, twist it, gossip about it and in just a short time, what they believe we have said is taken as correct. We have to be so careful. This is why Paul tells us to walk in wisdom.
In explaining ourselves, we need to ensure that our speech is seasoned correctly, that we are open to people's comments and instead of being offended, have a sense of humour, but stick to the point. Barclay and Peake comment:
i. Barclay translates Colossians 4:6 this way: Let your speech always be with gracious charm, seasoned with the salt of wit, so that you will know the right answer to give in every case. He explains: “Here is an interesting injunction. It is all too true that Christianity in the minds of many is connected with a kind of sanctimonious dullness and an outlook in which laughter is almost a heresy… The Christian must commend his message with the charm and the wit which were in Jesus himself.”
ii. “They must strive to cultivate the gift of pleasant and wise conversation, so that they may be able to speak appropriately to each individual (with his peculiar needs) with whom they come in contact.” (Peake)
Many times, we only have a short time to to explain our point of view so, we need to make it count. Whatever we say, we should always attempt to leave the conversation with questions, 'Could this be right what we've heard?' If we become harsh with someone, all they will remember is our rudeness. Jesus wouldn't want this. It's better to make our point and leave them with something to think about.
The people we speak to may not speak to us with grace, but that doesn't mean that we should act in the same way. Always endeavour to show them the love of Jesus.
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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