Over the past few weeks, I have crossed paths with 3 different people, who each share a common problem. This problem is, having a zeal to share wisdom, understanding, insight and the gospel truth, that God has opened their eyes to. The reason its such a problem, is because for each of them, in one degree or another, they wish to share this truth with a doctrinal sledgehammer. And they dont even know it.

Oftentimes, when the Lord reveals a truth to us from the Word, we get so excited about it, we simply cannot keep it inside. Its as if we MUST share it with those around us, or well just burst. While this is a wonderful thing, in and of itself, in many cases, we forget (or never knew) that the Bible also instructs us exactly HOW were to share His truth. Its when we do it our own way, that we run into trouble.

In some cases, we might think that when weve run into resistance with what we have to offer, its due TO what were offering. This isnt always the case at all. Oftentimes, resistance to the truth, or to wisdom, comes as a result of the delivery method. For example, if a man walks up to you and slaps you across the face, and says "TAKE THIS chocolate cake!" youd likely be so offended by his delivery method, youd not be at all interested in what he has to offer. Likewise, if a man walked up to you and simply said "here, this is for you" and placed the cake in your hands, no strings attached, the liklihood of accepting that cake, would skyrocket.

This is something that affects every single believer, in one way or another, at one time or another. None of us are immune, none of us are innocent of ever doing this.

Ill share some verses on Biblical delivery of truth, and add John Gill's commentary on each. I think you'll be blessed by Gill's insight on these verses. I pray that this blesses and convicts, where the need is.

• Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Let grace be the subject matter of your speech and conversation. When saints meet together they should converse with each other about the work of grace upon their souls, how it was begun, and how it has been carried on, and in what case it now is. They should talk of the great things and wonders of grace, which God has done for them, which would be both comfortable and edifying to them, and make for the glory of the grace of God. Also, they should confer together about the doctrines of grace, and so instruct, establish, and build up one another in them; and at least their conversation should always turn on things graceful and acceptable, such as may minister grace unto the hearer, and be useful and edifying. Wherefore all obscene words, unchaste expressions, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting, ought not to be used.

Or this may regard the manner of the speech, and language of the saints; it should be in the exercise of grace; it should be in truth, faithfulness, and sincerity, without lying, dissimulation, and flattery; it should be in consistence with the grace of love, therefore evil should not be spoken one of another; nor should there be whisperings, backbitings, or anything said that is injurious to the character, credit, and reputation of another. For this is contrary to love, and so not with grace: and whatever is said should be spoken in the fear of God.

• Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Not what he had done for God, or offered unto him, or suffered for his sake; nor what God had done for his body in the make and preservation of it; but what he had done for his soul, and the salvation of that. What God the Father had done in setting him apart for himself; in making a sure, well ordered, and everlasting covenant with him in Christ; in blessing him with all spiritual blessings in him; in providing for the redemption of his soul by him; in pardoning his sins, justifying his person, adopting him into his family, and regenerating, quickening, and sanctifying him.

Also what God the Son had done for him; in engaging to assume a true body and a reasonable soul on his account; and to make that soul an offering for his sin, and thereby obtain for him eternal redemption, even the salvation of his immortal soul.

Likewise what God the Spirit had done for him; in quickening and enlightening his soul; in implanting principles of grace and holiness in it; in showing Christ unto him, and bringing near his righteousness, and leading him to him for salvation and eternal life; in applying exceeding great and precious promises to him, and remembering to him such on which he had caused him to hope; in delivering him out of temptation and troubles, and in carrying on the work of his grace in him hitherto. These are things that are not to be concealed in a man's breast, but to be told to the church and people of God, to their joy and comfort, and to the glory of divine grace.

• Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pleasant words: The doctrines of the Gospel; such as the doctrines of God's everlasting love, eternal election, the covenant of grace, the person of Christ as God-man; of peace and reconciliation by his blood; of remission of sins through his atoning sacrifice; of justification by his righteousness; of life and salvation by his obedience, sufferings, and death; all the doctrines of grace, which show that salvation in all its parts is owing entirely to the free grace of God; these are all pleasant to the ear of him that knows the joyful sound, and to the taste of everyone that has tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Health to the bones: they are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus; they are the means of curing the diseases of the mind; of healing wounded spirits, and broken hearts, and broken bones; they make the bones which were broken to rejoice; what heals the bones strengthens the whole man, a man's strength lying much in his bones; these strengthen the inward man, cause believers to go from strength to strength, and to hold on and persevere to the end. (John Gill)

• Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Communication that is for the building up of saints on their most holy faith, and for the encouragement and increase of the grace of faith: in the Greek text it is literally, "for the edification of use"; for useful edification, or what is useful for edification; and is suited to the present want or opportunity, as the word is by some rendered: and that must be "good", which answers such an end; meaning not that the language should be formally and grammatically good, though to speak with propriety is useful and serviceable, and tends the more to instruction and edification; but that which is materially good, or the subject of it is good; that which is true, pure, pleasant, and profitable.

Ministering grace that is, the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of the grace of God; and be a means of conveying the principle of grace into the hearts of the hearers, and of drawing it forth into exercise where it is; and such speech or communication which springs from a gracious heart, and from a principle of grace in the heart, and is upon the subject of the grace of God, is most likely to be thus useful and edifying.

• Col. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

(no commentary needed)

In future situations where you (the reader) may be tempted to deliver your words your own way, I would pray that the Word here might convict you to a higher level, His.

And to Him be all the glory.

© Carla Rolfe 2003