Walk in Wisdom Toward Outsiders

Dylan Stewart

In Colossians 4:5, Paul commanded Christians to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” Those who have been created anew in Christ (Colossians 2:11-13, 3:10) must realize how important it is to “walk” carefully and with “wisdom toward those who are outside.”

Given Christians’ differences in character from the rest of the world, many will seek to falsely accuse us or make accusations out of bad faith against us in order to hurt our influence. For example, in 1 Peter 2:11-12, the writer urged his readers, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Sadly, even if we are living good, holy, and righteous lives, certain wicked people will still “speak against us” so as to frame us as “evildoers.” It is not a matter of if this will occur but, to use Peter’s exact language, “when.” The world may slander, mischaracterize, and persecute us, but we must not provide the world any fuel that they can use to add to their vindictive fires.

Our conduct must always be “honorable,” both toward outsiders of Christ and to those inside the household of God. In 2 Corinthians 8:21, we learn how we should seek to provide “honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.” In order to take the first steps toward honorable living we must put on the wisdom of God (Colossians 3:10; Romans 12:2), then subsequently walk in that wisdom (Ephesians 5:15), especially around people who seek to speak against us as evildoers.

Donnie Rader, in his commentary on Colossians, explains, “We should use some wisdom in dealing with those who are not Christians. We should stop and think about how our words and actions will be taken. What kind of impression are we leaving by the things we say and do? Even when we do things that are right within themselves, we may leave the wrong impression before others. Good judgment must be used in all our dealings with others” (The Book of Colossians, p.54-55 – Truth Publications). Christians must be very diligent in continually working to maintain a positive influence by walking in wisdom particularly when we are around non-Christians. If we do so, we will bring glory to God through our good conduct; likewise, we could possibly bring others to Christ in the process: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).