A Scriptural-Spiritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Twenty

Introduction

Matthew 10:16 ESV

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

PRAY

We resolve to communicate the favor of the Lord

Let your speech always be gracious- In addition to the admonition to walk in wisdom toward those on the outside, Paul adds an exhortation to the church at Colossae about the manner in which they talk. The translation of the original is speech or conversation. One definition of this word is as follows, words as an expression of what is in the mind. There is a particular emphasis upon the content of what is being said.

Here, the Apostle calls the new man in Colossae to communicate in a gracious way, with grace, full of grace. What does Paul mean to tell them regarding their talking with unbelievers?

I believe this word is full in what it means. Paul wants them to speak with as those that have experienced the favor of the Lord. This means in both in character, content and care. They are the walk in the favor of the Lord, they are to speak of the favor of the Lord and they are talk with the favor the Lord. This includes walking in truth, speaking the truth and adorning the truth. They are to be kind as they interact with those on the outside.

John Eadie comments on this phrase:

A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians Chapter 4

But the noun χάρις signifies, perhaps, that gracious spirit which rules the tongue, and prompts it both to select the fittest themes, and to clothe them in the most agreeable and impressive form.

John Chrysostom adds that is carries the idea of being agreeable.

Colossians 3:16 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

We resolve to influence others as we speak

Seasoned with salt - Not only is the communication of the new man to be gracious, it is to be seasoned with salt. Paul uses the metaphor from cooking. The image is clear, salt seasons or adds flavor. The goal of the speech is to have an influence or effect upon those who are participating. Salt carries many images in Scripture. It was used to flavor, it was used for healing and it was used for preservation. I do not believe it is out of bounds to think about conversation seasoned with salt in these ways.

Leviticus 2:13 ESV

13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Mark 9:50 ESV

50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge Chapter 9

On account of the cleansing and purifying effect of salt, the Levitical sacrifices were to be seasoned with it (Le 2:13. Ezk 43:24); an emblem of that purity which is necessary to make a sacrifice acceptable to God. This spiritual salt is to be preserved in the heart, and to season the life and conversation (Col 4:6), so that nothing that is corrupt may proceed from the mouth (Ep 4:29); and so the disciples of Christ may be the salt of the earth (Wordsworth

What is the reason or purpose for this graceful, seasoned communication?

We resolve to respond with wisdom

So that you may know how you ought to answer each one - The goal is to have an answer for those on the outside. At the heart of this phrase is the concept of the knowing how or having the information and ability to give an answer or a response. This is to be able to say what should be said, when it should be said, how it should be said, to whom it should be said and why it should be said.

1 Peter 3:13–17 (ESV) 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

R.C.H. Lenski:

By using wisdom and clothing this in graciousness and giving it a wholesome taste we shall soon get to know just how to answer every person with whom we get into a discussion so that we may make the most of all such opportunities. Paul wants to say just the right thing at the right time so as not to damage the cause of the gospel in any way. But this is what we should always strive to do in all our contacts with those outside. Foolish remarks, ungracious, surly, or cutting retorts, finally saltless talk that is vapid and from which the hearer’s mind turns away because it is not worth considering, never do the Christian cause any good.

Practical Application

Have you heard the gracious Word from God?

John 1:1–18 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Our words come from within

Matthew 12:34 ESV

34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45 ESV

45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Our minds need renewal

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We should learn to put knowledge to practice.

Gene Getz:

If someone attacks you personally, never retaliate out of threat or embarrassment.

If you are too emotionally at the moment to response objectively, it is better to refrain from commenting until you have developed a degree of objectivity and emotional control.

See to avoid embarrassing people publicly, even though they may attack you publicly.

Gently force yourself to function in threatening situations.

Message

Manner

Moment

Motive

Depend on God to give you his wisdom.