Walk and Speech
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Col.4:2-6
D2.1 Walk in wisdom
The next exhortation is to walk in wisdom towards the ‘outsiders’, redeeming the time.
The those who are outside are the unbelievers. It needs to be understood that Christians at the time were held in great suspicion. They did not believe in the visible pagan gods of the day, they refused to burn incense to the image of the emperor, and often met in secret. All this led to all sorts of false accusations, and sometimes worse.
The pressure they were under must have been immense.
In the light of this hostile environment, they were exhorted to walk in wisdom. Thus echoing Jesus’ words to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves, Mtt.10:16.
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts known and read of men.
II Cor.3:15
Those outside take notice of people’s profession and how their conduct matches up. Even if they fail in their own claims. The believer is said to be an epistle, which is read of men. How tragic it is when those professing the name of Christ bring disgrace to the Gospel by their behaviour and lifestyle!
For example, if we claim to be complete in Christ to the outsider, do we go after other philosophers, etc. to fill up our experiences? Those watching will take note and see then through the hypocrisy and see that we don’t believe what we preach ourselves!
Our lives must be consistent with what we profess, otherwise there is something wrong.
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
I Thess.4:11-12
Paul adds ‘redeeming the time’, the same exhortation as in Ephesians.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Eph.5:15-16
It is a commercial term, meaning buying as a merchant would seize the opportunity for business. We are thus encouraged to take the opportunities for Christ, and the Gospel.
D2.2 Speech
For in many things, we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body… the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell… Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Jms. 3:2-12
The tongue – a world of iniquity! According to James if anyone does not offend in word that person is perfect. Coupled with Paul’s exhortation to have our speech seasoned with grace we can see the importance of our speech, and word to others, both to the saints and to the unbelievers.
This is further emphasised in Ephesians.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph.4:29
And he began to say unto them, this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
Lk.4:21-22
Although the crowd turned on Jesus not long after this statement, they could not deny that His words were gracious. Let us learn well and follow the example of Jesus to be gracious in our speech.