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

As we grow in Christ our speech changes. It is perhaps one of the more difficult transitions we make from being in the world to being in Christ, yet it does happen. I am amazed at how often I hear things spoken by people I consider to be mature, that offend or are misunderstood. Such a situation happened in Sunday School today.

One of the participants started off nearly every sentence with the word “But”. Before long another pointed out that he was being aggresive. Listening to his conversation closely from that point I discovered that his practice of leading off with the word “But” caused others to stop listening. His words were not being heard. He had turned people off by his approach.

Leading off a sentence like this makes it sound as if you are being dismissive. Beginning with “No” can have the same effect. Everyone has a reason for having an opinion. If error is offered, placing that person on the defensive is not the way to correction.

Nor is it the way to receive correction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Just quote the scripture and allow the scripture to do the work. If they will not accept the scriptures, then no amount of words from your point of view is going to sway them. Using scripture will also remove any concerns you might have in avoiding accidental offense.

1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

What do you do when you get bored?

Be honest with yourself because I cannot speak for you in this moment. There is a general sense of what boredom does to people. Here in the verse it is seen as wandering, searching for something, anything that will relieve us from the boredom.

The resulting behavior is not that of a believer. Boredom is of the flesh and not spiritual in design. Relief is sought in the actions and intentions of a mind that seeks to be entertained. Fleshly entertainment can be dangerous to the soul and to fellowship.

Tattler, busybody, and speaking out in a manner which is not worthy of a disciple of Christ, is a step back in growth. We have heard it called backsliding. Allowing it to continue leads to an attitude of despondence. It is a slew of despond. A slew is a water troth that carries logs downhill to a river where they can be collected to be moved to the mill for cutting. Once you are in this slew of despond, it is difficult to get off. It will lead to depression if not checked.

What you busy your mind with when you are bored is critical to avoid error which leads to sin.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Do not let boredom carry you were you ought not go.