With Just A Word

Introduction

Good morning. Koshka and I are incredibly thankful to be home. About three weeks ago, God blessed us with safe travel to Georgia, where we were able to do a meeting with the Roswell Church, and we were able to stay with a couple people that may be fairly familiar here, Bob and Arlene Harkriiner. And that was a wonderful time, and we were so thankful to stay with who are truly family members. And then last week, the Lord blessed us with an opportunity to be with the Altamont Springs congregation, just about 30 minutes from here. And we were even able to sleep at home, and that was a blessing too. But we have to say that there is really no place like home, and I don’t just mean my bed and pillow, although I’m very thankful for those.

We’re just so happy to be with such a wonderfully loving group that is at South Bunby, and we thank you for allowing us to call this home and to be encouraged by you continually. Koshka and I are about a few days away from celebrating what we would call our fifth wedding anniversary, so that means the training is only still beginning for me. One of the original things I had to learn in that list is quite extensive, just ask her or anybody around us, is that tossing things is not the same in a dorm as it is in a marriage. So I know that will surprise you, but most people, I guess, don’t walk around and toss keys or remotes to one another from a great distance.

They actually, I guess, take the time to walk across the room and hand it to each other. I figured that out when I would toss some things to Koshka and she wasn’t ready or wouldn’t quite catch them, but then I figured out there is a solution. That if you throw just the right object, it can be caught. You may be familiar with Sports Center’s top ten, where they highlight the best catches or the best plays of the day. I have to tell you, I have learned one thing in marriage. If I were to toss a piece of chocolate, Koshka could make the top ten and catching that every single time. With just the right thought, something could work. I think the scriptures teach us that on a more important scale.

If you look with me in the book of Proverbs, if you’re going to leave a marker, we’re going to look at several Proverbs this morning. But with just one word, with just being there for somebody, we realize that words are so powerful that if we approach it appropriately and correctly, and we’re there for somebody and we meet them on their terms and for what they need. I think the scriptures teach us in both the Old and New Testament alike, words are incredibly, incredibly powerful. And how we handle them will determine how we have our relationships with one another. One of such examples in Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 25. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. I think in a world that’s stifled with all kinds of negativity and rude comments, and can we add something from the forefront this morning?

That words are words, whether you speak them, type them, text them, or write them down. We’re responsible for what we say. And yes, all of those forms are ways in which we say different words that have different meanings. But Proverbs chapter 12, if you look at 25, you see anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, and we can empathize with that. Certainly we’ve probably all been somewhere at one point in our lives where we just feel weighed down by the cares and the concerns of the world, where we feel like there’s nowhere else to turn, no one that’s caring for us. Maybe we’re even questioning is God really caring for us, even though 1 Peter chapter 5 promises us that He is. But notice the solution in the Proverbs, at least, is a good word makes him glad.

Isn’t that amazing that somebody could be struggling with anxiety and despair? And the proverbial wisdom says, a good word can fix it.

1. Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks

When we think about using our words, though, I want to look at two warnings and then look at some application. First of all, look with me in Matthew chapter 12. Jesus teaches this idea about a good tree and a bad tree. In Matthew chapter 12, this is some keen insight that I’m about to give you that Jesus says a good tree bears good fruit. But as you look at Matthew chapter 12, and you look at verse 33, notice how he begins. Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. I want the focus this morning to be largely positive, to think about what we can do in fulfilling the proverbial wisdom of chapter 12 and verse 25, that even somebody weighed down by anxiety can be lifted up with a glad and well-timed word. But notice also what Jesus says in verse 36 and 37. In the day of judgment, we will give account for every word that we speak. And Jesus even specifies every even careless word that we speak.

In fact, verse 37 says, By your words you will be justified. By your words you may be condemned. And so I have to do some reflection first. As I’m trying to prepare myself to be the type of servant to utilize words the way God wants me to, I have to first stop and say, okay, what is with the tree metaphor? Jesus says in verse 33, we have to choose. We have a choice to make. You can choose to be a good tree that bears good fruit, or a bad tree that bears bad fruit. So let’s stop for a minute and just do some really honest soul searching evaluation and say, just this past week, if all my words were put on the screen for everybody to see, would I be viewed as a child of God?

Would I be viewed as an agent of the adversary? Are my words lifting up or are they tearing down? How am I speaking? Because Jesus says, We speak from our hearts. Our application this morning is going to be, what type of heart do I have? What type of soldier for Christ am I? And it’s really powerful that in verse 34, Jesus says, How can you speak good when you are evil? Translation, you can’t. There is no fooling anybody if you are evil in your heart. Your words won’t match to be good, if that’s what you’re striving for. In fact, verse 34 concludes, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. And a wonderful lesson in a lot of scriptural time should and could be spent on another day examining how do we guard our hearts?

Do we take that seriously, knowing that whatever comes in will go out. You’ve probably heard the phrase many times: garbage in, garbage out. Certainly that would apply here. But in verse 35, notice he continues and draws out the thoughts where even I can understand. In verse 35, the good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. So step one is examine my words. Step two, examine your sources. Rather than just looking at your words on a screen from the past week, what if we put up on the screen every source of information you took in? Every source of entertainment and wisdom or lack thereof. Would it be a good source? Would it be one you’re proud of when you say, I really benefited from that?

I know I now know how to lift people up better. I can speak more wisely. My words are uplifting rather than biting and rude or slanderous. Or might it be that if I had my sources on the screen that I’d be embarrassed? Because I’d realize what I’m filling my heart with is that garbage that can come in. And Jesus says, do not be fooled. If garbage comes in, garbage will come out. Thirdly, notice that Jesus says, we will be judged for our words. So this is a serious matter. When we get to the application stage and think, what type of servant can I be with words? Remember that there is no option to sit on the sideline. The question is, will I use God’s tools, these words that he has allowed us to use to communicate to one another and be uplifting?

2. The Tongue Is Powerful

Will I use them for his glory and benefit? Or will I use them for the adversary’s cause? Tearing people away and bringing them down. In fact, James even taught about the power of speech. Look at me in James chapter 3. If you don’t think words matter, read James chapter 3. In James chapter 3, in fact, beginning in verse 2, he says, We all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. So verse 2 says, by the way, this words thing is pretty tricky. And verse 2, when we look at the world and we say, well, I don’t stumble on what I say. If you really can grasp every word, every careless word that will be brought into judgment, then you’re a perfect man.

So we realize James is going to warn us that this is hard. In fact, verse 3, if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Verse 4, look at the ships also. They are so large and driven by strong winds that they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. I don’t think much more has to be said by James than to say, James chapter 3 and verse 4 and 5 tell you how powerful the tongue can be. I want us to see that every word matters, not just because it’s a preacher thing to say, but because, like the Proverbs teach, it really does impact people.

Have you ever been that person who was weighed down with anxiety and someone came along with a good word? Have you ever been struggling with some sort of grief or loss? And had the words of somebody, whether written on a card or someone showing up at your door, be the difference in a smile and private tears. When we think honestly about our life, we realize that not only do we need each other for uplifting, we need each other to be encouraging. We need an we just need each other to move on every single day. What would life be like if every day we were torn down rather than built up? If every day we were just nothing but internet slander. Have you ever seen a chat room before?

They’re not pleasant places. People say all kinds of mean, horrible things. And beyond even am I getting involved with that? Imagine that that’s all you were exposed to. The tongue is powerful. It can do great harm. In fact, James says it can be incredibly destructive. Notice that small tongue that is so prominent, a member so difficult, verse two to control. The second part of verse 5 says, How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. James in his wisdom says, look, just a small fire can burn down an entire forest. The text continues, though, and the tongue is a fire. It is a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on course on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell.

For every kind of beast and bird of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil full of deadly poison. Does the scripture have to say too much more than for us to realize that what we say really does matter? When you look at these descriptions in verse 6, after he’s described how great a great forest can be set ablaze by a small fire, in verse 6, he says, Not only is the tongue a fire, where was it set on fire by? The very last phrase. Set on fire by hell. Verse 8, then we have this depressing news. But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil.

It’s full of deadly poison. That’s rather depressing news from what should be an uplifting New Testament scripture. And so when I look at it and I say the tongue is powerful and our speech can be powerfully destructive, where’s the good news in that? What do I do with that text in verse 2? He says, look, if you can control what you say, you’re a perfect man. Verse 8, no one can tame the tongue. All these words that build up, yeah, that’s great. But James says, I want you to know how powerful it can be to the negative also. How do we get around that then? Remember what Jesus says already in Matthew chapter 12 and verse 34. How do we speak? Out of the abundance of the heart.

In fact, James continues, and he has some good news in verse 9 on down. In verse 9, with it our tongue, this restless evil, here’s the good. We bless our Lord and Father. And with it, verse 9, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursings. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening, both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James says, like Jesus did, I have a choice. Can we bless the Lord with our tongue? Yes. Can we curse those who are made in the image of God with that same tongue?

Yes. But when you look at, for example, a spring, if it pours forth fresh and salt water simultaneously, can it do that? No. Jesus says, we will answer for the words we speak. A good tree produces good fruit, a bad tree produces bad fruit. We have to choose. We can act two-minded. We can act double-minded. We can speak two different ways. But who knows? God does. We need to be pleasing to God. And please don’t ever mistake pleasing God as anything but the foremost priority in our lives. But as we look at some application and examining what type of heart do I have, I want us to see within our service to God, within pleasing him. And obviously, as Paul would write in Ephesians 4, not allowing any unwholesome word or speech to leave our lips.

3. Be a Friend of the Struggling

What type of heart do I have? What type of service for my God can I have to my brothers and sisters in Christ and those struggling in the world who need him so badly? One example is to be a friend of the struggling. When we think about Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 25, you turn back there with me. It talked about a man weighed down with anxiety. Someone struggling so greatly. But a good word can make him glad. Do we really feel like that’s a possibility? That a good word can make him glad because God’s wisdom says, yes, it can. James 3 said the tongue is so powerful that a small fire can light ablaze the whole forest. If I asked you for an example of just one time you said something you regret that caused great harm, I think almost all of us could probably think of one, unfortunately.

But could you think of one positive thing you said that maybe changed someone’s day? Change their week, month, or year? What about who changed the direction of their soul? The tongue is equally powerful in either direction. How we channel it will determine how effective it is and how effective we are in serving our God and bearing fruit for him. Look also at Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 21. This idea is again emphasized. The lips of the righteous feed the many. On the other hand, but fools die for lack of sense. So in Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 21, we see the lips of the righteous feed many. They provide for many. Remember, Jesus said, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So I have a question.

This past week, this past month. It’s really not that much longer than a week and a half. Have you said anything? Have I said anything that would feed the many? Or that would lift up somebody struggling with despair and anxiety. If not, why not? Do we think that nobody is struggling with a broken heart? Nobody’s struggling with anxiety, depression, or fears. I think we would all admit if I said who’s ever struggled with worry, every hand would go up, and so we know the struggle is real. But as we think then about what the Proverbs say, the only question is, do I believe it? Because if I believe it, I would do it. In fact, there’s somebody in the New Testament who embodies this very idea.

Look with me in Acts chapter 4. In Acts chapter 4, there are people like this. And you know what the truth of the matter is? Nobody is born knowing exactly what to say to those who are struggling. But there are people who learn that skill. Remember, it takes a while to learn what somebody would need, what somebody would want or need to hear in each moment. But in Acts chapter 4, we learn about somebody who was really good at this. In Acts chapter 4 and verse 32, in this very happy moment in the budding New Testament church, now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. And no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own.

But they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Now notice verse 34 and 35. Now there was not a needy person among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold, and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostle Barnabas, which means son of encouragement.

See in verse 36, he was named Barnabas. Why was he given that name? He was an encourager. He was the or a son of encouragement. What a powerful name to be given. What would somebody call you? And further in Kin’s excellent lesson from the 9 o’clock hour. If somebody described my past week, what would they call me? Would they call me kind of a Debbie Downer? Would they call me a Barnabas, a son of encouragement? Have I ever done anything for anybody that mirrors either of those two proverbs and that suggests in my heart is a desire to be a friend of the struggling? The Proverbs teach not only the power of words, but the specific even application they can have. Can I ask an honest question this morning?

If I’m not doing this, what is the reason why? It’s easy to read Proverbs chapter 12 and say, well, a good word makes them glad, but who knows what that good word is? Well, certainly God knows. Do we not believe that if we prayed to God to help us be an encouragement to others? That our God who knows all of our needs, and Jesus who has promised, ask, seek and knock, and you will find, receive, and the door will be open to you, that God will not help us take care of one another. The truth of the matter is if I’m not willing to do this, if I am not actively doing it, and I refuse to start, it means that I don’t care about other people.

4. A Heart That’s Willing to Listen

I don’t truly get concerned with their life. Jesus promised in Matthew chapter 12, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So if my mouth isn’t speaking encouragement to those struggling, can I say I’m pleasing my God? A second point. Do I have a heart that’s willing to listen? Going back to the Proverbs, this time in chapter 17. In Proverbs chapter 17, it’s one thing to think about speaking, and maybe this isn’t my skill set. How do you learn? How do you develop that ability so that you do trust not only in prayers to God, but in practice of being an encouragement, like a Barnabas? In Proverbs chapter 17, notice with me in verse 27. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge. And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise. When he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Chapter 18 and verse 4. The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. If you want to be wise, the Proverbs say, how do you handle conversations? You do a lot of listening. You do a lot of considering what is somebody’s need. Remember, if we’re going to diagnose that somebody is struggling with despair or anxiety, I have to have noticed that and taken that in first. And sometimes the approach to helping others is to say, they need help the way I need help. And in a group of 200 plus people, there is probably a few people who are like you, who would benefit from that type of help.

But can we be really brutally honest and say, you know what? In my case, for example, I’m a pretty weird person. You know, it hurts my feelings when everyone doesn’t laugh and go, oh, that must be a joke.

The way I need help might not be the way somebody else does. The struggle I’m facing at work, at home, in my family life is probably different than the struggle you’re dealing with or facing. And so the response needs to be different. Are there some similarities like trusting in God, casting all our anxieties upon him? Of course. Are there some similarities in that if I’m going to help, I pray to God to ask, how can I be of service to my fellow brothers and sisters? Absolutely. But I have to be willing to listen to know that there is a problem to then have that glad word that can lift somebody up from anxiety and despair. Isn’t that amazing, though, that it really is that simple? That God’s plan for lifting us up out of this turmoil and problem is to listen and to be there for one another.

Look with me in James chapter 1. If you notice, we’re looking in a lot of Proverbs in James. We might call it the literal Old Testament Proverbs or the book of wisdom in the New Testament Proverbs or Book of Wisdom. In James chapter 1 and verse 19, know this, my beloved brethren. Let every person be quick to hear, be slow to speak, and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. One of the other problems with not being quick to hear, and not being slow to speak. It’s not only misdiagnosing a problem, but have you ever gotten to where you’re talking faster than your brain’s going? Does that situation normally end up to your benefit? Not usually mine. Back to James chapter 1 and verse 20, what is one specific fear we are to be warned against?

Speaking out of anger, or an anger heart or a bitter heart. And of course, that does not bring the righteousness of God. And so what we have to do is have a willingness to work on ourselves, to guard the gates of our heart so that when we speak to somebody, we give them the benefit of the doubt. When I look for somebody to help, do I have a heart that’s merciful and compassionate? Or a heart that views people as an inconvenience or a struggle. Because how we answer that question may help determine whether I’m going to be a friend of the struggling or somebody who goes on my own and doesn’t want to be bothered. There’s a story of a little boy who had a really bad temper problem.

And his dad just didn’t know what to do, and so he said, Okay, son, every time that you lose your temper, you’re gonna have to take a nail and drive it into our fence. And the boy said, Okay, but it’s very hard for me. And he said, That’s the point. Within the first week, there were 37 nails in that fence in the backyard. And the son said, Dad, this is a lot of effort. I’m losing all of my ability to keep my cool just by pounding the nail into the fence. And he said, You’ll learn. And sure enough, as days turns into months, the boy started to learn. He didn’t lose his temper five times a day. He lost it about once a day. He had to go out and drive the nail into the fence.

Eventually it got to where it wasn’t every day. And in fact, it got to be there where it wasn’t for an entire week. And he went up to his dad and he said, Dad, I’ve made it a whole week without losing my temper. And he said, Okay. Now every day that you go without losing your temper from this point forward, you remove a nail from the fence. Months turned by and weeks continue to go. It was about a year later, and every last nail was pulled out of that fence. And the son was so excited, he ran into his dad, and he said, Dad, I’ve removed all the nails from the fence. I’ve gotten control of my temper. And the dad said, Son, I want you to see something.

He walked him back outside and he said, Do you see all the holes in the fence? He said, When we lose our temper and we speak rashly and out of anger, we leave holes that can be forgiven, but may never completely heal. You have to be careful with how you speak when you’re upset. Because what we say and how we say it can make a dramatic impact and leave a hole in somebody’s heart. The son looked at his dad and said, Dad, can you please forgive me? And he said, Of course I can. It’s amazing to know we have a God who will forgive us of all of our sins. It’s amazing to know that we have a God that cares that when we confess that we’ve done wrong, because we’ve lost our temper, because we’ve been upset over something silly that our careless words that we will answer for at judgment, that God says, I forgive you when we confess and repent.

5. A Heart That Desires to Diffuse Tension

But can we be honest and think about what type of heart do I have? Do I have a heart that’s more apt to speak out of anger and bitterness and frustration? Or one that says, as James reveals, that I am quick to hear, slow to speak, and even slow to anger, knowing that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. What type of heart do I have? And if I’m just evaluating my speech, Jesus says it’ll be very easy to tell. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. Thirdly, what type of heart do I have? Do I have a heart that desires to diffuse tension? And can I say that it goes without mentioning while I now mention that that means not creating extra tension as well?

Going back to the Proverbs in chapter 18. Excuse me, Proverbs chapter 15. You want to know how to deal with difficulty? What do you do? How do you speak when you’re upset, when you’re losing your cool, or when somebody’s losing their cool with you? Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 1 says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. I like things that are really cut and dry that are black and white. In Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 1 is. Do you see that the proverbal writer drew a line in the sand? If you’re with Jesus, if you’re a Christian, what side of this line are you on? Part A or part B? Part A says, a soft answer turns away wrath.

Part B, a harsh response provokes anger. It’s obvious to see that part A is where Christians line up. Because Jesus was merciful, compassionate, kind, and loving. Did he deal and rebuke evil doings and those who were guilty of their wickedness? Of course. But when I think about a desire in my heart, I have to say, when I see people going at the throat, whether online or in person, do I join up to try to ram my opinion down their throat too? Or do I try to have a soft answer that turns away wrath? See, the scriptures teach time and again, words are so powerful. The tongue can be incredibly destructive. But do you realize that what verse 1 teaches us, although not necessarily 100% of the time going to take somebody who’s at a level 11 out of 10 anger and take them immediately down to a one?

That the scripture says there’s an answer for when you’re dealing with people who are upset, and if not responding in kind. Proverbs chapter 15 and verse 1 says, a soft answer turns away wrath. I think soft would both apply to the tone and the actual substance of the words that we choose. Do I have a desire to diffuse tension? Look also in Proverbs chapter 31. We think about Proverbs chapter 31, and of course, that wonderfully wise woman. We call her often just the Proverbs 31 woman, because if there is a list of traits that describe the ideal woman in the eyes of God, Proverbs chapter 31 is pretty close to perfect. But in Proverbs chapter 31, notice one of the attributes of her in verse 26.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. The teaching of kindness. Can I say that if our society has lost anything and we have lost a lot in the eyes of answering before God? Kindness is one of the first casualties of any war. We talk about cultural battles. We talk about people no longer believing in God. Civility and kindness are the beginning of the end of discourse because you know what usually happens when people draw lines in the sand and stand opposed to each other? We just fire away at will. Proverbial, verse chapter 31 woman says, she not only opens her mouth with wisdom, she teaches kindness. A soft answer turns away wrath. As Christians and as children of God, we are called to diffuse tension, not join the battle firing away on either side.

How we talk with people absolutely determines their willingness to hear us out on the more important things. And can we stop for just a moment and talk about the power of words and the powers of talking about things that aren’t worth our time? And I draw my line in the sand, even if I do it somewhat nicely, and I make my position clear on an object on the internet or in person. Have we ever stopped and thought, how does this aid my ability to be a light for Jesus? If I’m constantly fighting over worldly things with somebody, do I really think that that helps me when I’m going to bring them the message of Christ? Or would that make it worse? Make it tougher. Because I’ve built up a wall between me and them, out of my anger or in response to theirs.

Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 6, we see even more wisdom. Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 6, a fool’s lips walk into a fight, and gotta love this one, and his mouth invites a beating. Is there any more true proverb than that? A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. What kind of heart do I have? A heart that says, There’s a fight, let me get into it. Or a fight that says, There’s some people that need Jesus. And if I’m going to respond to them, I not only need the words of life, I need to deliver them softly and kindly, because that’s crucial to the message as well. Look at me in 2 Timothy chapter 2. I hope that in conclusion, of course, and in every lesson, that all of us would have a heart of evangelism.

But notice that part of this diffusing tension and part of an evangelistic spirit means recognizing people where they’re at, which we learn by listening and desiring to be a friend. It means avoiding these foolish fights and having a mouth that invites a beating. And having a real care for people’s souls. Look with me in 2 Timothy chapter 2, and I think we’ll see all three of those ideas found here. 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 23. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies. You know that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone. Able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. That God may perhaps grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will.

Conclusion

What kind of heart do I have? What can I accomplish with just a word? As Christians, or as we might take the words of Paul to Timothy here, as the Lord’s servant, we have to be willing to be a friend of the struggling. That means looking out and reaching down and recognizing that our words absolutely can make the difference in a happy soul and a pained one. I have to have a desire and a willingness to listen, to be quick to hear and slow to speak, recognizing that I need to meet somebody where they are at. And why is this all important? Why do I not get caught up in these useless quarrels? Because there are souls at stake. Quarrels stand in between people and God.

Anxiety stands in between people and God. Pride stands firmly between people and God. And when we read this again in verse 24, the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but instead kind to everyone. That’s not just actions, that’s words. We have to be able to teach. That’s obviously involving the words of life. Patiently enduring evil. In verse 25, by the way, correcting opponents. We do have to talk. We do have to have tough conversations. Please do not leave this morning and say, Greg said, don’t ever talk with people about things where we disagree. Paul didn’t say that. He said, You correct your opponents, but do so how? With gentleness. Perhaps he had chapter 15 and verse 1 of the book of Proverbs in mind that a soft answer turns away wrath.

Why is this so important? Because when we actually reach people, when we throw down all the barriers that Satan wants to keep between us and our fellow man, and more importantly, between us and God, we realize that there is a soul who needs the blood of Jesus. And when we read that, God may perhaps grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth, that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil after being captured by him to do his will. When I look around and I think about how to use my words, when I look at the nails in the fence, I have to see that those are people that need Jesus’ blood just like me. Have you ever been somewhere and just wish somebody had a kind word for you?

Have you had a tough day and a stranger off the street for no reason you’re in a store, and you’re like me, you’re shy that anybody would even come up and speak to you. And they say something kind that changes your day, that brings you a smile. That’s a wonderful blessing. But can we talk about something that’s more wonderful? A blessing that God has a plan that we take care of each other. And that means rather than just benefiting from that random stranger in the store, that I be the person who has the heart to be a friend of the struggling, who brings a glad or good word when somebody is struggling with anxiety, depression, or frustration. That I’m willing to listen, to hear people, to know what they struggle with, to know how to reach them, to know how God wants them to be helped.

I need to be one that diffuses tension rather than jumping in and bombastically entering the fray. And certainly I have to have a heart of evangelism. As Paul writes in Colossians chapter 4, I hope you’ll turn there with me as we conclude the lesson. You wonder how we learn these things. How do we put into practice these words? How do we gain this heart that’s willing to listen? I think Colossians chapter 4 has some of those answers. Colossians chapter 4, beginning in verse 2. Paul says, I want you to continue steadfastly in prayer. I want you to be watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us that God may open to us a door for the word to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison.

Verse 4, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Verse 5, how? Walk in wisdom towards outsiders, making the best use of the time, and let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Paul says, verse 2, you continue steadfastly in prayer. You pray not only with thanksgiving in your hearts, but you pray that the door will be opened so that souls will be impacted by the one who can save them. That is Jesus the Christ. If you’re here this morning and you’ve never become a Christian, recognize that God does care for you. Jesus’ blood is there, ready to wash you of your sin. He will forgive you of all the nails you put into the fence.

There’s no sin that’s too great for Jesus to forgive. But you have to believe that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Confess of your sins and confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior, not only in existence, but in your life. And in so doing, you’ll repent, turning from a life of selfishness and frustration and unkindness, and trust in the ways of Jesus and God our Father. You’ll be baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, having your sins washed away. And know that you can be a child of God this morning. Maybe you are a Christian and you’ve not spoken with wisdom towards outsiders, you haven’t prayed that your speech be seasoned with salt. Look for an opportunity this morning and know that, by the way, one obligation and wonderful opportunity of being a fellow brother or sister in this congregation is that these Christians will pray with you and we will pray for you.

If we can help you in any way, come forward as we stand and sing the invitation song.