Stinking Saying

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Colossians 2:8–9 (KJV) 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. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

What It Is Speaking to Me

Have you ever heard a fellow believer say something that smells bad? You can't necessarily put words and verse to why what they said about the Bible, Jesus, or the church is wrong, but it doesn't pass the sniff test. Social media, as you know, reeks at this point. A lot is being said, and a lot of it smells bad.

A fellow believer posted something recently that reeked. We can react a few ways. Here are just some options:

• One, fly off the handle without thinking and post a reply. Bad idea.

• Two, deride that person in private or public for their obnoxious post and hold it against them in your heart. Also — not a great idea.

• Three, deem it a vain argument to try and win, decide it doesn't matter, and move on with life.

• Four, consider why it smells bad to you. That is an option worth exploring.

Why does it smell bad? Can you explain and defend why you think it stinks? Can you do so without getting angry or defensive? Can you explain it calmly to the person who said something stinky?

If so, you really might have something to say...or not? Just because you can answer yes to all of the above does not necessarily mean you should say anything. It just means you are ready to. Wisdom isn't just knowing what to say, but when to say it.

But if we can't answer yes to all of these things, we might not be ready to say something. Maybe we have a little homework to do — some thinking in solitude, some wisdom sought from someone wiser than us. Whatever it takes to get to that point. Then maybe we are at a place where God can use us. Or maybe He just means for us to practice keeping our mouths shut. You'll know what to do.

What Is It Saying to You?

What happens in your mind and heart when you hear something smelly?

How do you process through it?

What conclusions do you come to, if any, about what was said or the person saying it?

What Are We Going to Do About It?

Identify a specific false teaching or hollow philosophy influencing a friend or public figure and intellectually counter it. If it is a public figure, use it only as a mental exercise — no social media rants.

If it is a friend, pray for the Spirit to give you an opportunity to share what you have learned in a way that wins your friend to the truth.