Wednesday – August 3, 2016
It is Wednesday, hump day, already. Let us all give thanks, praise, and worship to God as we prepare to receive the Anointed Word of God.
The Apostle Paul has been teaching about interactions principally among believers but not exclusively and now he is moving to how we relate to unbelievers. Except for persons in a very secluded environment we all have daily contact with unbelievers.
Colossians 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
He is admonishing us to have a thoughtful approach to those who are “without” meaning not of the family of God, or a part of the Kingdom of God. The Apostle says we are to walk or interact with persons of the world in wisdom. There is information, then there is understanding of that information, and then there is wisdom which is the best use of information and understanding. The phrase referring to “redeeming the time” simply means to make the best us of our time with unbelievers. Let us look at these verses in a different Bible Translation.
Colossians 4:5-6 (GW)
5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside {the Christian faith}. Make the most of your opportunities.
6 Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
As Paul moves into verse six the word ‘grace’ there is talking more of a graciousness or as the God’s Word translations puts it being kind and conducting the conversation in a well thought out manner. Walking in wisdom and thinking before we speak is Paul’s advice for dealing with those outside the Church but it strikes me as real good advice for us all at all times. In the King James and other translations we find the reference for our speech to be “seasoned with salt”. What one might think of as salty speech or activity today is not what the Apostle Paul is talking about. Think about natural salt. Natural salt purifies, cleanses, and preserves from corruption. (Complete Word Study Dictionary) Our speech at all times but especially in the presence of outsiders (outside the Church) is to have a purifying, cleansing, and a content that it does not allow corruption. Salt is used to prevent foods from spoiling. Our speech is to build people up around us making them feel good by not tearing them or others down and certainly our speech should not corrupt them. In ancient times salt was a valuable commodity so the Apostle is talking about speech that has value, adds value to the listener and is not just idle chatter. Notice at the end of verse eight there is the following phrase: “that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”. It seems to me that this is directly related to our study of Scripture and the incorporation of that Scripture into our thinking, speech, and ways.
2 Timothy 2:14-17 (KJV)
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
I hope we can all see that what the Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy fits right in with our study of the Letter to the saints and faithful brethren at Colossae and Laodicea? Our words can be like a canker and work to subvert the hearer (from the Truth) or they can be rightly divided words of Truth. I am not talking about cramming Bible verses down people’s throats but keeping our thoughts, speech, and body language consistent with the Word of God, pleasing our Father in Heaven. We all know that person we will walk ten miles to avoid, I don’t want to be that person. I want to impact those around me and the culture with right uplifting speech. If we will choose to go with the flow and allow the Holy Spirit to guide and work through us we will be able to share exactly the Scripture or Truth each person needs to hear, not what we think they need to hear.
By Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
