10
Speaking & Listening
John Tilton2 Corinthians 10:1-6
By the humility and gentlenessof Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul,who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as boldas I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine powerto demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,and we take captive every thought to make it obedientto Christ.And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Paul is speaking into their lives about not having to be bold in guidance or correction, as he would be in calling out the people of the world, and who live in the world.He encourages them to recognize and realize who they are in Christ and the wherewithal that they have in Christ.
These scriptures speak to me metaphorically in discernment of meek representing listening, and bold representing speaking forth.There are times to press issues, and there are times to hold.There are times to speak out, and times to hold out tongue. In addition, Paul reminds us of guidance through incorporating the word to remind us of who we are in Christ, and the call on our lives.In ministerial leadership, there is a principle of cultural intelligence of knowing who you are speaking or relating to, and therefore, how one would proceed in that relationship.
Dear Lord, please guide me in those times where you call me to be bold and speak out; as well as those times you call me to hold and wait upon you for guidance, or to listen and be still.May you give me the cultural intelligence in those times where I need to be a listener, before I speak boldly.
