Wisdom to speak

Wisdom to speak

Colossians 4:5-6

My exegesis of this verse has a two-fold application this morning. For I do not only want to show the directive of the immediate context of the verse, but also dispel once for all the nauseous way this verse has been used to paint a false picture of Christian conduct.

I.          THE ERROR EXAMINED & REFUTED.

            A. A veneer of niceness does not equal spiritual maturity.

The companion verse found in Eph.4:29 is as equally misinterpreted. “…to the use of edifying” is seen as only communicating happy thoughts with no accountability, which is far from the meaning. Edifying is properly (to build a house) the Greek οικοδομη. When one builds a house he uses discernment!

                        1. Niceness can be a vale to true interaction.

                        2. Niceness that promotes the self esteem of others is a worldly philosophy.

                                     God does not promote self-esteem. (Man already sees himself in a favorable light)

                        3. Niceness can eventually lead to passivity, which allows sin to fester.

            B. The absence of honest criticism is not only unbiblical but sinful.

An old saying goes, if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything. But the Bible says, “faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

1. Paul publicly accused Peter to his face about his hypocrisy. Gal. 2:14

2. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Prov. 27:17

II.         THE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEXT.

                        (Wisdom to know how to witness)

            A. Wisdom must be employed if one is to be successful.

Too many believe that they need only dispense info to be effective or obedient. Verses like “preach the word. Be instant in season out of season”. Give the idea that we just tell people that hell is waiting for them if they don’t repent.

But the truth is far more complex than that. We are to sometimes reason with them as God bids people to do. And, to be in season out of season refers to readiness for intelligent conversation and wisdom in conveying the message of the gospel of Christ.

                        1. Wisdom takes on the character of shrewdness.

                        2. Wisdom seeks an opportunity to build bridges.

            B. Those outside the Church should receive the best effort we can put forward.

            C. We should use the time we have, not waste it.

            D. The message of grace demands grace to deliver it.

            E. The use of salt is here used metaphorically for wit.

                        There is probably nothing worse than an over sweetened sour- puss!

                        1. There is such a thing as too sweet.

                        2. There is a need for savory.

            F. In order to be able to give an answer, there must be a question.

Far too many evangelists, are not in the business of creating conversation as much as they are in the business of dispensing an outline of the gospel for the reward of a prayer!