Spiritual communication

Colossians 4:2-6

One of the biggest problems in our world is a lack of communication. It is cited as the single biggest cause of divorce, breaking down of relationships, and wars between various groups. We have more talk, and more methods of communication than at any time in history. Unfortunately, much of the talk is ineffective as communication, producing misunderstandings and a growing sense of isolation.

Communication is just as important to our relationship to God as it is to human relationships. The word translated communicate means to share, both physically and emotionally. God uses the Bible and the actions of the Holy Spirit to communicate with us, sometimes speaking through another person. We need to pay attention, to study and verify what we are given, to understand what he is sharing. He has already done his part. Not paying attention says we have no interest in his opinion, and prevents sharing.

For real communication, we also need to share. We share by praying, but some of what passes for prayer is not communication. We are not sharing our feelings, just saying our prayers. or making demands. While I was in Bible college, there were some teaching that prayer was asking. Imagine a marriage in which the only talk was to ask for something, or to nag about something that wasn’t done. Think how much better both feel when instead, there is a sincere compliment, rather than just complaints, but even complaints are better than not talking at all. There is still some communication.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:2-4)

Communication is not limited to our own desires and needs, and there are needs that others have. Paul requested especially that the Colossians pray for him. As a prisoner, his opportunities to speak to others could be limited, either by his enemies, or by his emotional or physical state. He desired freedom to speak that others might come to Christ. Since it is not God‘s will that any should perish, such a prayer would definitely be in accordance with his will.

Because of different cultures, and language barriers, it was also easy to be misunderstood, and he requested prayer that he would be able to make it clear to the people. As he asked in I Corinthians 14::9, “So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?”. If the message is not understood, it serves no useful purpose.

Colossians 4:5 instructs, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Sometimes we are not sure how to live to best reach those around us. James 1: 5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” There is no excuse for being foolish in our lifestyle. Ephesians 5:15-16 warns, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil“. To walk wisely and redeem the time will require us to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (I Thessalonians 5:22). We will need to separate from deliberate false teachings and sinful practice Titus 3:10-11 advises, “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Jesus also warned us not to try to make people change in Matthew 7:6. “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” God’s wisdom is required to successfully determine what to avoid.
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Another area we need wisdom in is in our speech. James warns that being unable to control the tongue indicates a worthless claim to religion. “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.” James 1:26). Paul instructs, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

Grace means to give something better than they deserve. To speak with grace is to answer with a kind and pleasant attitude, “not rendering evil for evil”. At the same time, it is to be seasoned with salt. While we are not to be rough or crude in our speech, we are not to conceal the truth either. They still need to know the truth.