1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Paul began this discourse with verse 20 where he said to the Jews he became a Jew. Here he became weak. Following this logic one might argue that Paul became a sinner in order to win sinners. Not so.

It was not that Paul changed at all, but rather he modified his speech in order to be understood clearly. We do not give up being a disciple of Christ, we must remain faithful to our calling. What we can and should do is modify our speech, not our behavior.

Do you know and use the Christianese language among your brothers and sisters in Christ? Probably, because they understand and it is a shortcut to many spiritual points. The lost do not have that framework of reference. It is a foreign language to them. Neither do you have to use guttural talk in their presence.

One of the more common complaints I hear from unbelievers is a belief they are being “talked down to”. Paul is encouraging us not to do that with the lost but rather find common speech that is neither offensive nor misleading. For many of us a fear of falling into old behaviors is at the forefront of our minds. If you lead with love, fear should not be in your mind. People understand when you are being genuine. Even if you are different, they tend to make room for you as long as you are not being fake.

Modified speech can be done without surrendering your identity in Christ.