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.

1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Yesterday I spoke of the differences between urges and temptations. In that I said my doctor warned me of diabetes and was monitoring my A1C. Here Paul is performing a similar task for the Corinthians because it is his calling and duty to do so.

Paul came and established the gospel in Corinth. Those new believers then gathered together and began to fellowship together. Many of the problems that arose from those gatherings were the product of ignorant sin. They did not know any better. Because Paul loved them, he warned them.

We should remember that at this time our 66 book bible was not in circulation. Paul was writing it as he went. We have that great privilege of learning from other people’s mistakes. We can read the warnings of consequences without performing ignorant sins.

One of the great tragedies of parenthood is listening to my children say they need to make their own mistakes. Learn from the mistakes of others! Learning the lessons of consequences avoids the suffering of those consequences.

“I’m not like that!”

Have you ever uttered or heard those words? Self-diagnosis is not medical advice. Self-diagnosis is not righteousness. Self-diagnosis is not holiness.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Comforter has come to teach you were temptation lies and warns you to avoid it. His medical manual is your bible. Spiritual good health is found there in the practice of His Word.