Reasoning Through the Bible · Glenn Smith and Steve Allem

Colossians 4:2–18 - How Christians Should Interact with Non-Believers (Session 22)

March 10, 2026·34 min·3 clips

How should Christians treat non-believers, and why does a simple lunch mix-up reveal a deeper problem?

How should Christians treat outsiders? Glenn starts with that question and treats Paul's words in Colossians as practical guidance for everyday contact with non-Christians. Steve brings it down to earth with a workplace luncheon story, where one moment showed how Christian behavior can either help witness or damage it. Paul begins with prayer, and the teaching keeps prayer tied to strength from the Lord and to the need for God to speak through believers. Opportunity may not wait around. When someone is ready to hear, believers are urged to be ready in season and out of season, even when they are tired. The episode also spends time on redeeming time, taking the phrase as a push to stop wasting hours and be more prepared for the Lord's work. Speech gets the closest handling. Grace is not treated as softness. It is the tone that should shape how Christians answer each person. Salt is the picture, and it lands well: a little seasoning helps, too much ruins the meal. The point is discretion, timing, and a manner outsiders can actually receive. Paul is read as calling for wisdom that listens to the situation instead of handing everyone the same script. The close points listeners to free lesson plans for churches, pastors, Sunday morning Bible leaders, and small groups, then ends with Paul's blessing of grace.

As heard by us

Careful Colossians teaching that turns Paul's counsel into everyday witness.

Reasoning Through the Bible looks at Paul's instructions for speaking to outsiders and keeps the focus on everyday use: when to speak, how to pray, and how to choose gracious words.

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Why you'd press play

You want a calm, verse-by-verse study on how Christians should treat outsiders with grace and wisdom.

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