NOVEMBER 16,  Colossians 4:6

Brett looked up from his plate as he and his family were eating dinner. “You know what?” he asked, reaching for the salt shaker. “Today I remembered what Pastor said about witnessing and being wise in speech, and I decided to witness to Keith. He’s always doing really bad stuff. Like… he swears sometimes, and he’s mean to the little kids, and today I saw him cheat. So I told him he was a sinner headed straight for hell, and that he should repent.”

“Whoa! Sounds like you came on a little too strong,” said Dad. “I invited him to come to church, too,” added Brett, “but he said he already goes. I wonder what kind of church he goes to if he isn’t a Christian yet.”

“I hope you didn’t tell Keith that, did you?” said Dad. “Well… sort of,” Brett replied. “Brett, if you insult the person you’re talking to, he might get angry and become completely turned off to the Lord,” warned Dad.

“I was just trying to witness,” said Brett. “How could that ever be anything but good?” He frowned and started to sprinkle salt onto his potatoes. After just a few shakes, the top fell off and salt poured out onto his food. Brett looked in dismay at his plate. Mom jumped up to help. “I guess I didn’t put the top on tight when I filled the shakers,” she said.

“You know, Son,” said Dad, “you got too much salt on your food, and that spoiled it. I think maybe in a way, you gave Keith too much salt today, too. It’s great that you witnessed to him, but you may have given him too much too fast. When we do that, it could spoil someone’s interest in spiritual things.” Brett got up to get a new plate. “Do you think so?” he asked.

“I’m afraid so,” replied Dad. “Like the Bible says, Christians are like salt, which is needed to improve flavor. So don’t stop witnessing, but next time, try to be kind and tactful. Be sensitive to the other person’s feelings.”

Slowly, Brett nodded. “I’ll apologize tomorrow,” he said, “but… it should be okay to tell him Jesus loves him and he needs to accept Him as Savior, shouldn’t it? Should I tell him I’ll pray for him, too?”

Smiling, Dad nodded. “Say it lovingly and kindly,” he said, “and that should be fine.”

Thought: Do you witness to your friends? It’s important that you do so, but lovingly and kindly.

Prayer: I agree, Heavenly Father, I need to witness to my friends and so please teach me to do so lovingly, and please teach me also to always be careful of my speech that I may not hurt anyone. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.