Conduct Towards Unbelievers

& your Neigbhours

TEXT: Colossians 4:5-6

By Bro. Emmanuel Anuge

 Introduction – The church leadership
structure
Now that we are Christians, who are we in the sight of God….
Lets see I Pet 2:9-10
“9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare
the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now
you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy”.

Matt 5:13 – Christians are described as the “salt of the earth”

What were we before we were saved and what are those things that were associated with us before we found
Christ?
Let us see Col 3: 5-11
“5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the
life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,
and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is
no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all”.
Introduction – Our Text
What should we now exhibit as Christians
Let us see Col 3:12-15
“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance
against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were
called to peace. And be thankful”.

Now that we understand how we are, and the status we have assumed as :Gods chosen people”, what is
expected of us and how should our conduct be towards those who are our neigbhours and are unbelievers.
Walk in wisdom towards Unbelievers
How do you behave with and toward unbelievers? Do you like them? Do you hate them? Do
you tolerate them? Are you concerned about their salvation? Do you act like them when you
aren’t in Christian company? Do you snub them if they aren’t holy?
There are Christians who stand on street corners, in malls, and in front of abortion clinics to
witness to unbelievers. Others just don’t care one way or another. Where do you fit in? Do you
share your faith using hugs or headlocks? Honey or a hammer? Or do you even share your faith
at all?
Christian Conduct. 4:5-6 (NLT)
1. God wants you to conduct yourselves with wisdom toward unbelievers: Christians are called
bigots because they condemn homosexuality, intolerant because they oppose abortion,
religious extremists because they condemn sin, and narrow-minded because they believe
there is one “one faith, one Lord, and one baptism” (Eph. 4:5). Yet, in spite of these attacks
we are to remain humble, loving, caring, kind, and gentle. If we are not, if we do not show
love and forbearance in the face of cruelty, insult, intolerance, and ridicule, then we are
not showing the world that we know Jesus.

It is so important to have wise conduct before unbelievers. Why so?

Walk in wisdom towards Unbelievers (cont.)
The reputation of the gospel depends on you. The world judges Christianity by what it sees in you.
Are you representing it well with kindness, holiness, consistent reverence to the Lord?
God wants your conduct to be with wisdom (col 4:5). This conduct is your manner of behavior. This means you are
to be sympathetic (this could be in counseling, listening, etc.) compassionate and humble (1 Pet. 3:8).
“To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;”
loving
“Don’t repay evil for evil, or insult with insult, but with blessing repay the evil cast at you” (1 Pet. 3:9).
patient – you are to be considerate and longsuffering with the unbeliever.
know when not to speak. That is often one of the hardest things to do. It is so often the best thing to simply listen to
a person and wait for a better opportunity.
If your conduct is indeed with wisdom, then the name of Christ will not be maligned.
The unbeliever will have no basis to mock Christ, His church, or His people. And, he may be brought into the fold of
Christ.
 Our Conduct Towards Unbelievers - Make the most of every
opportunity & Watch your speech.
2. God wants you to make the most of the opportunity with unbelievers: Do not just sit there and wait for opportunity to fall
into your lap, but go after it. I would hope that as Christians you would not become complacent about evangelism. God
uses the Gospel to call people out of the world.

The time is short and the world is evil: Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as
wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand
what the Lord’s will is.”

3. God wants you to let your speech to always be gracious with unbelievers: We need to be careful with our tongues,
careful when we speak in public and private, no gossip;
 careful we they speak to an equal or someone in power, no slander;
 careful when we speak to the poor and the rich, no favouritism;
 careful not only when speaking of the gospel but also when speaking of the weather, the economy, politicians, the
authorities.
God wants you to be careful, gracious, kind in your speech. Grace is getting what you do not deserve. Give them kindness,
love, compassion, and patience. Being gracious means to be kind, gentle, positive, helpful, and insightful.
Also importantly, when surrounded with unbelievers at work and other areas of life, sometimes their conversations may vile,
filled with not so clean jokes. All to get that sense of belonging and being “in” with the rest of the group…One may be
tempted to conform Don’t be like the ungodly around you.
Eph. 4:29 Apostle Paul said, “Do not let any corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others
up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.
 Answer them wisely & Pray for them
4. God wants you to know how to answer everyone: Speak the right word and the right time to the right person.
Having answers means being wise, knowing what the Bible teaches
1 Pet. 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

5. God wants you to pray for them: They need to be granted the faith that God gives. They need to be granted the
repentance that God gives. They need to be granted the belief that God gives. You can make a difference in your
prayers
 They need to be granted the faith that God gives (John 6:28ff)
 They need to be granted the repentance that God gives (2 Tim. 2:25).
 They need to be granted the belief that God gives (Phil. 1:29).
 You can make a difference in your prayers (James 5:16).
…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Conclusion
Your conduct and speech before an unbeliever is vitally important. Your conduct should be with wisdom, your
speech with grace.

What is your conduct like among non-believers? Are you a faithful witness of the God of Scripture to your
neighbors or to your fellow employees? Or do you behave dishonorably before the world? Spend some time in
prayer today, asking God to help you to be obedient to the call to live honorably in this pagan world. When
tempted to act dishonorably, remember that you are a witness for Christ at all times.