Sometimes I just say things that gets me into trouble. When I think about what I said and why I said them, I have no rational reason for saying those things except that I’m an idiot and that wasted time by saying it. Has this ever happened to you?

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6 ESV)

The Apostle Paul has two words of advice for us regarding what we say and when we say it. First, make best use of your time. Second, be gracious and respond accordingly.

These two nuggets of advice are not overtly profound, nor are they unique. We have heard these things before, but have we ever connected the two ideas together so we would understand that if the point of conversation is to bring the best out of an individual, then we must make the best of the time that we have with them? The truth of the matter is: our words matter and how we say them matters and when we say them matters.

Every conversation should be held with the intention to bring out the best in the person you are conversing with. The reason being that it is an opportunity for somebody who may not have a relationship with Jesus may have an opportunity to get to know him and therefore be changed by it. You have heard stories about how people’s conversations with them changed their lives; well it’s time to start changing people’s lives by speaking with them as the last opportunity to bring out a better version of them.

We are given the circles of influence and the opportunity for conversation for the purposes of God. Let us treat each opportunity as such and speak graciously and intelligently to people.