Saints Conduct Themselves Wisely Among Those Without

I. Introduction: When talking about elders, we see the qualification in I Timothy 3:7. This draws the thought of how saints ought to behave amongst worldly people. Is there a difference in how we behave among the saints?

A. Let me begin this lesson by being sure to state that saints always live according to the same standard (Ephesians 5:10 and Ephesians 5:15-17).

  1. The standard never changes; how wisdom and discretion are applied does (Proverbs 2:6-17).
  2. So, I am not intending to imply that what is sinful in the world is all of a sudden acceptable among the saints! Sin is transgression of God’s law regardless of audience or location (I John 3:4).
  3. Having made that clear, we should also understand that certain conduct is appropriate in one setting that would not be appropriate in another (Hebrews 13:4).

B. Christian maturity is not treating every person exactly the same; it is knowing what God requires in every relationship. We see this with Jesus (ex. Matthew 13:10-17).

  1. It is not that Jesus hid from the world (John 18:20).
  2. It is that He used wisdom in regard to His words and actions (Matthew 21:23-27 and Luke 23:8-9).

II. Body: Proverbs 23:9 and Philippians 2:14-16

A. There is a Biblical pattern that shows God’s people are more on guard among the world (Psalms 39:1).

  1. Think of the caution towards those without (Colossians 4:5-6).
  2. Think of the mindset of being on trial to some extent (I Peter 2:11-12).
  3. Think of the understanding that those outside of the body might slander you (I Peter 3:15-16).
  4. Among the world we have to protect our influence as much as we can (Titus 2:7-8).
  5. Just think of how Jesus' warning about giving that which is holy or valuable to certain individuals requires discernment (Matthew 7:6).

B. When amongst faithful saints, we shouldn’t be as on guard for various reasons…

  1. To the most vulnerable point, confessing sin (James 5:16).
  2. Exhorting one another requires some level of openness (Hebrews 3:12-13).
  3. Bearing one another's burdens requires openness (Galatians 6:1-2).
  4. Comforting, correcting, and teaching one another require a vulnerable openness (I Thessalonians 5:11-14).
  5. Helping one another in material matters requires openness (I John 3:14-18).

C. Wisdom must even govern our conduct among brethren (ex. II Corinthians 13:1-2).

  1. You do not want to cast a stumbling-block before weak brothers or sisters (I Corinthians 8:1-13).
  2. Even among those with a strong conscience, there may be things they are not ready for because of their knowledge base (John 16:12).
  3. You have to know who you can trust with certain information (Proverbs 11:13 and I Timothy 5:11-14).

III. Conclusion: Again, do not infer from anything in this lesson that your conduct is to be anything less than holy at all times (I Peter 1:13-16). Discernment governs every relationship! That comes with maturity (Hebrews 5:14).




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