The Hidden Danger in Christian Communication

Who are you?

Whoever you are, does your vocabulary reflect your identity?

Or are you masquerading as someone you’re not?

Lately, I’ve been hearing Christians say things such as:

• “Sending good thoughts your way.”
• “What’s your sign?”
• “Sending you good vibes.”
• “You’re so lucky!”
• “Bad karma will get him.”

But what are we communicating? Does our communication reflect our Christian identity? Do these phrases convey our relationship with the sovereign God? Are we proclaiming our trust in Him or in cosmic coincidences? Do we expect good thoughts and good vibes to substitute for the Holy Spirit in accomplishing His work?

You might think I’m making a big deal about something that’s insignificant. The words may not be significant, but what they illustrate is definitely important.

If we’re not careful, the world’s philosophies and values can influence us in ways we don’t realize. The process starts slowly, with a change in the way we think about our life and circumstances. Then it moves into our words, and finally our deeds.

We let down our guard in the little things, thinking they’re not important anyway. It’s just harmless fun, isn’t it? Besides, don’t we have to relate to unbelievers in order to share the gospel with them?

As someone taught me many years ago, bad influences and habits begin with a toehold in our life. Then they grasp a foothold. And finally, the thing that started out as a little harmless fun—something we thought we could control—is now a stronghold that controls us.

I’ve often wondered why some Christians feel as though they have to fit into the world before they can share Christ with the world. The solution is not to offer a weak copy of the world. Neither is it to beat up unbelievers with a fire-and-brimstone message of hell and damnation.

The answer is to be true to who we are in Christ while forming sincere relationships. People need to hear about the Savior. If our words are merely an imitation of what they already know, how will they learn what they don’t know?

Let’s communicate the truth in love, giving others what they need instead of what they already have. {eoa}

Ava Pennington is a writer, speaker and Bible teacher. She writes for nationally circulated magazines and is published in 32 anthologies, including 25 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also authored Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional, endorsed by Kay Arthur. Learn more at  AvaWrites.com.

This article originally appeared at avawrites.com