Read Colossians 4:2-6
Driving home from work, I heard a radio advertisement that caught my attention. It was from a computer program that checks emails as they are written. I am familiar with “spell check” and “grammar check” programs, but this was different. This was a “tone check”. The software monitors the tone and wording of emails to make certain they are not overly aggressive, unkind or mean-spirited.
As I listened to the announcer describe the features of this software, I wondered what it would be like for my mouth. How many times have I reacted harshly instead of listening first—and later regretted the words I had spoken? Certainly a tone check would have protected me from responding so foolishly.
Paul saw the need for us as believers to check our speech—especially when talking to those who are not Christians. He said, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (vs 6). His concern was that our speech be graceful, reflecting the beauty of our Saviour.
And it must be inviting to others. Talking with the right tone to unbelievers is vital to our ability to witness to them. Colossians 4:6 can be our tone check.
Prayer:
¥ Pray that Grace would invade your church. Pray that people in your church would be gracious with each other, loving each other as Christ loved the church. Pray that they would speak graciously to each other and react graciously towards each other. Pray that this would lead many to come to Christ, seeking to find the love they see among the people in your church.
¥ Pray that you would have opportunity to share the love of Christ with the 5 people you prayed for yesterday. Pray again for each one by name.
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