I haven't always shared my opinions graciously, but I am more determined than ever to do so.
The world is becoming increasingly hostile toward Christianity, and God's Word is being ridiculed. It's popular to call Christians "hateful" when we haven't done anything hateful.
That's why we must be careful to share God's truths kindly and calmly.
Ephesians 4:15 commands us to speak the truth in love, and Colossians 4:6 tells us how:
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Our conversations should be "full of grace," humble, careful, and honest.
"The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable..." Proverbs 15:2 Amplified Bible
But we're the "salt" of the earth so we also want to share the "salt" of God's truths unashamedly (Matthew 5:13; Romans 1:16). That means we don't fashion the gospel to please people. We explain it fully and accurately.
We may be rejected for the truth of God's Word, but we shouldn't be rejected for speaking it ungraciously.(1)
What we say is important, and how we say it is equally important.
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(1) For example: If we share Bible truths about LGBTQ lifestyles graciously, we maybe called "haters." If that happens, we can rejoice that we are persecuted for righteousness (Matthew 5:10-12). However, if we share those truths rudely, sarcastically, arrogantly, or inappropriately, we deserve the title "haters" (1 Peter 2:20).
Please check out the Bite Size Bible study based on this devotion HERE.
I would get so frustrated with my mother for spouting off her opinions whether the time was right or not and now it seems I do the very same thing at times! :(
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