Have you ever considered preparing your conversations ahead of time? That’s what Paul is telling believers to do in Colossians 4:6.
In this letter to the believers in Colossae, Paul had just admonished them to live wisely among those who were not believers and to make the most of every opportunity. They were to prepare and plan for those conversations they would have with their neighbors who did not know Jesus as Savior.
How on earth can we prepare for a conversation when we don’t know what the other person will say? That’s impossible!
No, not really.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in us, our language changes. Instead of the curses or belittling words of ourselves or others, we speak life and encouragement. Instead of words that are normal for an unbeliever, we speak compassion and goodness. Instead of ranting and raving, we speak peace and joy.
Most of all, we speak Truth (See John 14:6).
This is the seasoning of our speech with salt that brings purity to it. This seasoning gives us the words to say to the unbelievers we have the opportunity to talk with. We’ll have the answers they need when we allow God to control us and our words.
No, it’s not easy. It means emptying ourselves of the right to be and say what we want. It means being different from most of the people around us—even some of those who say they are believers. It means standing out instead of blending in, and it’s important.
As believers, we have a job to do: glorify God and build His kingdom. To do that, we have to be and speak differently than the culture around us. Fewer rants, fewer arguments, less anger, more compassion, more love, more encouragement should be evident within us.
Let’s start today. A simple, honest prayer asking God to take over our plans and our tongues. Give Him complete control over you and don’t try to wrest it back. Then do it again tomorrow and the day after that until there are no more days.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel where you’ll be able to hear more about this devotion and others.