Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if everyone knew God and spoke to please Him? Since we know the majority of the world doesn’t know Him or have any desire to know Him, there is no need to chase that dream. However, we do need to push forward exhorting, teaching, and expecting every Christian to speak to please God. I believe one of the main reasons many people want nothing to do with Christianity is because of the words and actions of those who profess to be Christians.
Our speech tells a story about us. It identifies us in so many ways. The words we choose reveal our education, it reveals our desires and our allegiance. The dialect we have gives others an idea of where we are from.
What are your words revealing about you? Do your words reveal a boldness for Jesus Christ? In I Thessalonians 2:1, Paul is reminding the Thessalonians that his words to them were not in vain. They were not empty words that he warned the Colossians about in Colossians 2:8. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were honest and forthright speaking only to reveal the truth. They did not try to persuade with flattery or deceit.
I Thessalonians 2:1 “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:”
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Paul reminds them in verse 2 of the treatment they received in Philippi. They were beaten and imprisoned by those who were angry their income would be lessened by the salvation of a young woman that had been freed of an evil spirit. She was used by these men to portray herself as someone who could tell the future. There was no just cause for Paul to be beaten, but it did not change the message he brought. His words continued to please God no matter what the circumstances were that surrounded them.
I Thessalonians 2:2 “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”
Act 16:16 “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:”
Act 16:19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Act 16:22-23 “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:”
Paul’s sole desire was to please God. His heartbeat was to win others to Jesus. He had lived his life before his conversion to Christ as an upright Jew. He kept the law and was zealous against anyone or thing that opposed the Jewish traditions and laws. Once Paul became a Christian, he was just as zealous to win others to Christ. To all those he came in contact with, it was obvious by his words he was seeking to please God. It didn’t matter if he was speaking to a common man or a king, Paul’s message didn’t change.
I Thessalonians 2:3-6 “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so, we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.”
What about your words, are they different among different people? Are you bold for Christ, seeking opportunities to speak a word of testimony for Him? Think back on those you have had conversations with lately. What have you said that would show your words are to please God and God alone?
If we pray and ask God for opportunities to speak up for Him, He will provide them. I think we often get lazy and comfortable in our routines, and it is easy to forget our purpose in life. We are to glorify Him in all we do, to represent Him to a lost world, and seek to win others to Him. Examine yourself, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, make changes needed to speak only things that would be pleasing unto God.
