Day 5 - 40 Days of WISDOM

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WISDOM
Day  5 | SPEAKING WITH WISDOM
HOW TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY  

Colossians 4:5-6
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” 
(NLT)

Whether in Solomon’s time, when Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians, or even today, we need wisdom. And, as discussed in this verse, we need to know how to get along with those who do not share our beliefs about God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today, Believers need to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), but doing so requires God’s wisdom, words, and timing.
 
Here in Colossians, we are told to live WISELY among the non-believers around us, with gracious and attractive speech, having the correct response for each person we meet or talk to.

The Amplified version of verse 6 says: “Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].”

You probably will, if you haven’t already, receive questions about why you believe in God, go to church, or read your Bible. So, what will you say?

It’s an interesting question… the answer to which will vary somewhat from person to person.

Verse 5 in the Amplified says: “Make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].” 

 “Each opportunity” is our every interaction with outsiders (aka “non-believers”). Have you considered that EACH interaction with a non-believer is a precious opportunity, and thus, we need the proper response?

Peter wrote: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Thus, to accomplish this, we all need God’s WISDOM to be prepared for and able to answer any question a friend, neighbor, work associate, or whomever asks.

Prayer: LORD, I need your wisdom about the words to use to avoid all the landmines out there today and yet to answer to anyone who asks about You.  Amen.