BE CAREFUL HOW YOU REPRIMAND OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.  Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”  1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to Timothy, his son in the ministry, to provide him with directions and instructions. (1 Timothy 1:2)  In the fifth chapter of this pastoral epistle, Paul begins by telling Timothy how to treat older men and women, and those who are younger than he is. (1 Timothy 5:1-2)  Then he goes into a lengthy discussion regarding the treatment of widows. (1 Timothy 5:3-16)  He follows this with instructions regarding the treatment of the elders of the church. (1 Timothy 5:17-21)   

 

APPLICATION

The advice which the apostle Paul gives Timothy, the young preacher, regarding rebuking, or reprimanding, or correcting people is appropriate for all of us.  We are taught to let all of our conversation be full of grace and seasoned with salt. (Colossians 4:6)  Salt adds a certain flavor to food, but salt has a purifying influence; it was used to preserve meat before refrigeration.  Our words, like salt, should add something and be helpful to the hearer, including our words of correction or reprimand.  A soft word turns away wrath, while a harsh word can stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)  We should speak to our elders respectfully and differently than we speak to those our own age and younger.  However, all of our conversation should be done out of love, brotherly love.

 

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

PROCLAMATION

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Colossae.  In this fourth and final chapter, Paul told them that masters should be fair with slaves because they themselves have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1)  He advised the believers to devote themselves to prayer while being thankful, and he asked them to pray for him. (Colossians 4:2-3)  He then told them to be careful and exercise wisdom when they interacted with non-believers.  He said that their speech should always be full of grace and seasoned with salt, which was a purifying and preserving agent that was used to keep meat before refrigeration.  Then he offered them his farewell greetings. (Colossians 4:7-18)

 

APPLICATION

The unsaved people of the world are watching us and making judgments about all believers, and about Christ, based upon our behavior and conversation.  It behooves us to be careful and wise when we are around them. (Ephesians 5:15)  We need to make the most of every opportunity to be a witness for Christ, and to provide a good example of Christ-like behavior in order to win souls for the kingdom of heaven.  We need to be particularly careful with respect to our conversation and choice of words.  All that we say should be truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.  Our words should have a purifying influence on those who hear us. (Ephesians 4:22 and Philippians 1:27) 

 

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE WORDS THAT WE SPEAK

Proclamation:

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Colossae.  In this fourth and final chapter, Paul told them that masters should be fair with slaves for they themselves have a Master in heaven. (Colossians 4:1)  Then he advised the believers to devote themselves to prayer while being thankful, and he asked them to pray for him. (Colossians 4:2-3)  He then told them to be careful and exercise wisdom when the interacted with non-believers.  Their speech should always be full of grace and seasoned with salt, which was a purifying and preserving agent which was used before refrigeration.  Then he offered them his farewell greetings. (Colossians 4:7-18)

Applications:

The unsaved people of the world are watching us and making judgments about all believers, and about Christ based upon our behavior and conversation.  It behooves us to be careful and wise when we are around them. (Ephesians 5:15)  We need to make the most of every opportunity to be a witness for Christ, and to provide a good example of Christ-like behavior in order to win souls for the kingdom of heaven.  We need to be particularly careful with respect to our conversation and choice of words.  All that we say should be truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.  Our words should have a purifying influence on those who hear us. (Ephesians 4:22 and Philippians 1:27) 

SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER FOR US NOT TO SPEAK

Proclamation:

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.  Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”  Proverbs 17:27-28 (NIV)

Explanation:

This proverb was written by King Solomon under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here he states that the wise person will think before he speaks and he is careful when he speaks.  The wise man also controls his temper as well as his tongue.  A fool can be mistaken for someone wise if he keeps quiet and holds his tongue.

Application:

It has been said that it is better to be thought of as foolish, than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.  Those who are wise think a lot and say very little.  It is good to communicate and share ones knowledge at the proper time and place.  However, bragging and boasting, or speaking in an ostentatious way is never appropriate.  Additionally, we do not have to offer our opinion on every topic which is discussed.  It is also never a good idea to speak hastily, or when angry, without giving some thought to what you are about to say.  Our words should always be “… seasoned with salt …” so that they will be helpful to the person we are speaking to. (Colossians 4:6)  Even the truth does not always need to be spoken if it is not going to be helpful.