“….such a chatterbox….!”
“…..verbal diarrhea…!”
“……can go on and on…..!”
“……so interesting……!”
“……can be such a pain……!”
We hear this in our daily conversations, and we can relate to this quite well. I for one, tend to get excited when talking with friends or even strangers, I love to talk, tell stories, even exaggerate at times too. I know that I can fall into many categories for who I am! I am aware, I am conscious, and I also know that my ‘big mouth’ leads me to trouble at times too, and I consciously seek God’s help me and, He always helps!
Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6
When I stumbled on this verse, I knew at once that there was a strong message for me and as I studied this verse, I was able to grasp with joy that “Grace” in this context means – winsomeness or graciousness. God wants us to carry on a conversation of courtesy appropriate to the particular people involved.
Our daily encounters with humanity can be with diverse personalities, believers, or not, and when we speak, our words are to preserve the message of Christ, helping it effectively reach as many people as possible. What I say ought to add value to the conversation; my words should be uplifting or helpful.
This also opens up another aspect of how others see us. The truth of our personal lives ought to be clear in the different “flavor” of how we speak and act.
Something that I regularly have to deal with in being able to communicate ‘gracious speech‘ is the ability to answer the questions of others. Peter also noted the importance of this area of ministry, saying, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Communicating Christ includes both a positive presentation of the gospel and the ability to defend it (Titus 1:9). My knowledge is not all that is required. I definitely need the ‘helper’ in order to give an answer in a truly “Christian” way, and I must present truth using proper words and a proper attitude (harder to follow indeed!).
This is easy to say, I confess that despite being so mindful and prayerful, I have failed in many instances. In a recent conversation, we were talking about loving and forgiving others. As believers, the topic is crystal clear. However, as human beings, it is very difficult to practice. I was prayerful to carry on a conversation of courtesy appropriate to the particular person, the outcome was a painful response leading to accusations on how I speak, how I behave, and that I am an ‘alcoholic’.
I withdrew in pain, and I did not stop praying. My learning last Sunday was ‘MY HEART MUST BE BROKEN FOR PEOPLE’, and scripture further encouraged me as to what we are constantly dealing with:
I do live in the world. But I don’t fight my battles the way the people of the world do. The weapons I fight with are not the weapons the world uses. In fact, it is just the opposite. My weapons have the power of God to destroy the camps of the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Friendships can be hurt, damaged, and even broken despite making the effort to be truly “Christian,”. I am mindful and prayerful to present truth using proper words and a proper attitude. However, pain gets in the way because of how it is accepted and on how hurt one gets, despite trying not to hurt the other person.
My prayer will continue with hope, just as it is promised:
I enjoy being a chatterbox! However, I have learned and consciously practiced each day that God wants me to carry on a conversation of courtesy appropriate to the particular people involved. I cannot do this alone, I must depend on the ‘helper’, I must trust in Him entirely.
Stay blessed, be encouraged, we are here on this earth to be relational.
INSPIRE 