Stumbling Along in Wisdom

Col 4:5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables

1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

How do we know what to say to people who come to us for advice or help if we really don’t know what to say? These are times when we have to sit back in our chair of life and pull from the supernatural power of the Living God. He is not dead, folks, and He can live, work and flow through you, the believer. So, let's get to know Him better even if it means we stumble along the way.

At any moment of any day you and I may be called on to speak in wisdom to those who are “without,” meaning those who are not Christians; those not born again. We cannot let our Savior down at these times. It is a matter of life and death. We must be prepared. Sheri is giving you this preparation step by step….. called the Armor of God. This armor is mandatory and our true defense unless we are not covered by the supernatural power of God, His Word.

We have what is called a gopher tortoise in our part of central Florida. True Floridians like me, call them gophers. If you look up “gopher” you will find something very different than what roams around on our patch of ground. I love this time of spring as we see them out and about, but they can be ever so destructive just like all the other varmints in this neck of the woods. The gopher tortoise can be seen slowly feeding on plants while going from one spot to another but there are times when the gopher will close up shop and all that can be seen is their big yellowish, tan shell. Danger is ahead and they have pulled in their limbs leaving just their armor. They don’t move because their shovel like claws are inside their cover. If they are near their hole (home), they’ll scoot on in, but most of the time they are too far and have to use what God provided for them to protect themselves. I like that, not that I am comparing myself to a gopher, but that God provided even for the gopher. God has given you and me that protection as we armor ourselves for the battle.

People on the outside, or “without” don’t know that they need God until they see that they need God. We, as Christians are responsible for their good eye sight. If we let our armor down and bite and devour each other, why would anyone who is not saved want what we have? We have to use God’s wisdom or we will fail every time and that opportunity may never arise again.

Ga 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

As Christians if we gossip and tear down our fellow church members, why would the unsaved give us even one minute of our time to discuss Jesus Christ?  The world “without” see and hear us daily. Our conversation, our life, is to be one above reproach. 

They judge religion; therefore they judge Christians because of the life they see.

They judge our church by the lives of the members of our church.

Our tongues wag so hard and so fast we keep those around us including unbelievers, spinning out of control. We must use wisdom and walk in it toward them that are without, redeeming the time. There is not much time, folks!

 According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, WISDOM is defined as:

WISDOM, n. s as z. G.

1.       The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion.

Using that wisdom, our speech should be with grace, seasoned with salt. May I speak freely to you and me about this matter? Contemplate the following and ask God to help you as I am praying for God to help me as well:

1.        Have we added grace to our speech? Are we kind, full of good will toward others or are we hateful and condescending?

2.       Do we try and reconcile those separated by sin? Is our grace an actual grace or do we provoke others to wrath, separating friendships?

3.       Are we virtuous showing affection by our words to those “without” or are we dishonest in our responses, causing stink instead of a sweet smelling unto the Lord?

4.       Do we show favor and pardon to those who have wronged us or do we go after them using all malice and hurtful words destroying their very good character?

5.       Are we honest, full of integrity or are we not trusted, looking for gain by unlawful methods?  

 1Th 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.  

May I ask again, “Why would those ‘without’ even desire the Lord Jesus Christ whom we claim we serve?” Even if you stumble, get up and try again. Time is running out, friend, and Spring Break will be over just like our lives. Grab the time, right now, before another second ends!

Until next time, Lord willing.

Sharon