Speak Kindly

2020 has been a wild ride. It was exciting at first because “2020” is a cool number. There was a virus flying around, but that was on the other side of the world. We have great medical technology, right? We’ll be ok.

Woops.

February brought us our first cases and first deaths of the “novel coronavirus”. This term morphed quickly into “covid-19” as we became more and more introduced and familiar with it. Fear consumed a lot of people. Others declared it all a political hoax.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

It’s been 9 months since the state of Michigan started to shut down. Schools were closed first, then dining rooms of restaurants. Other things and a stay at home order followed. I noticed first hand that people were flocking to social networking as their out for talking to other humans, and venting frustration.

The Colossians were allowing teachings that were contradicting Christianity. False teaching, just like Jesus warned us about in Matthew 7. The main problem was they were mixing Jewish and Christian foundations, creating a religious belief that no longer looked like Christianity.

Paul told the Church in Colossae to “walk in wisdom to outsiders”. He wanted them to make “the best use of the time.” I believe this is especially important right now where there is so much unrest. It’s hard to even talk about the daily infection count without someone blasting a political statement, or accusing “anti-maskers” of trying to harm them.

We’re to always lean on God for wisdom in all manners. Jesus wouldn’t have responded with a debate about whether or not science drove the decision of masks. If we are lacking wisdom, we need only ask for it.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

God will give you all you need to have a fruitful conversation with anyone about any topic, including covid-19 and mask wearing. It is also important to remember what Paul writes to us in Romans 13.

Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

I believe this applies to everything the Government puts in place, except if it breaks God’s laws. For instance, we are told as a Church to gather and spread the gospel. We are not told to visit the local cafe, or take in a good concert on a Saturday night. We as Americans have a voice in society, but it should be full of wisdom, not anger.

Paul continues.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

This brings us to how we should talk to people. When your friend logs into facebook and posts something along the lines of “If you don’t wear your mask, you should be drug into the morgue and given a clipboard for inventory!” Obviously we should encourage others to navigate the pandemic properly. We should not, however, lash out at others.

Jesus modeled this type of behavior for us all throughout the gospels. In the case of Zacchaeus, Jesus did not scream “YOU FILTHY SCUM OF A THIEF!” He went to his house and talked with him. In the case of the woman at the well, he did not throw her down the well, or waterboard her. He simply talked and taught her.

I say it all the time. We could solve all the problems of the world if we’d all sit down and talk and listen, in a Christlike manner. And while I do realize that won’t quite happen, this is what Paul is telling us. We have a duty as Christians. Be gracious, seasoned with salt. Have you ever noticed putting seasoning on a steak makes it taste so much better? Does it not make you happy and calm?

When you’re worked up and out of control, it’s hard to think about reason. It’s hard to have a normal conversation with someone. At every point in the conversation, you’re going to find yourself set off by every word the other person is trying to speak.

I was reading through my newsfeed when I came across a friend talking about “Why do so many Trump supporters still think there was a lot of election fraud?” It’s a valid question, and I thought I had some little piece of insight, so I commented. I was then replied to by another person who basically tore me apart. I apologized and bowed out of any debates, and explained calmly I was just answering the posted question.

I was trying to speak graciously, with my seasoned words, keeping a level head and being able to answer each question properly. You can’t possibly know what to say when you’re in a rage.

Think about the last time you lost your temper. Maybe you completely snapped and went nuts in some manner. Think about any actions or words you used. Was that gracious? Was it seasoned? Did you know how to talk to the person in your path?

I’m guessing not. And that’s the whole point Paul is making here. Don’t throw darts at someone who is on the attack. Keep calm, be gracious, and pour that seasoning on your words.

Kindness is something hard to find right now. It’s a bad year. People are scared, others are acting in a way that they think they’re doing society some good. Reminding ourselves of a wiser way to approach something is always a good idea. Walk like Christ, and you’ll have a Christlike affect and outcome in any situation. Even during a pandemic.