I have a question about Colossians 4:6. I’ve been praying about this to the Lord for growing into this part. Sometimes, especially when I’m with my friends, there are some days that I can’t control what I say, especially having some jokes, hurtful jokes sometimes. I know these people are unbelievers. I just feel so guilty the moment I realize I shouldn’t say that to them, but I know God would help me to grow with this part. Because I couldn’t do it to myself.
What a good and practical question! I’m sure many people wrestle with this. Let’s read Colossians 4:5-6, “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.”
Those that are “without” refers to those who are not saved. They are without salvation. They are without the knowledge of God and how He loves and desires to save them. It is SO IMPORTANT that we act around them with godly wisdom. We read in 1 Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…” There is worldly wisdom and there is godly wisdom. We read in Daniel 2:20, “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his.” When we walk according to the wisdom of God, we can have a powerful testimony before the unsaved and will not follow their behaviors.
How is it that one can get this wisdom of God? Simply desire it and ask for it. We read in James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (NLT). The Lord wants you to walk in wisdom, and He will give it to you for each situation when you sincerely ask Him. I’m sure you’ve heard of the wisdom of Solomon. How did he get to be so wise? He asked for God’s wisdom. We read in 2 Chronicles 1:7, “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” Solomon answered in verse 10, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge…” Then we read the words of the Lord in verse 12, “Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.”
You say there are some days you cannot control the things you say. If you are a believer on the Lord Jesus, that statement is just not true. The Lord NEVER asks us to do anything that He doesn’t give us the strength to do. We learn in Philippians 4:13 that, “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me.” The Lord wants you to have “your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.” He wants you to make sure what you say to your friends is gracious and honorable. Ephesians 5:4 tells us, “Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].” (AMP). The Lord wants you to refrain from using obscene or filthy language. You can do that with the Lord’s guidance and help.
Before closing, I want to ask you a question. Do your friends know you are a Christian? Have you ever shared your testimony with them? Have you ever talked to them about their need of a savior? I encourage you to do that. Once you take a stand, and let them know who you are, they will either respect you for that, or they will depart from you and not want to be around you. Perhaps they may even ask you how they can be saved. Either way, when you stand for the Lord, He is honored, and He will bless you for it. (CC) (673.6)