timely/opportune
section 1
When we apply Truth and Love in a thoughtful way, another aspect that will begin to take shape is that of an opportunist mindset. There is a timeliness to godly communication ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 which fits the occasion ephesians 4:29 not for one’s own benefit, but rather for the benefit of others i corinthians 10:24 .
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak....
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
notes:
section 2
While communication, especially relationally crucial, should be dealt with ASAPP (as soon as principlied possible), not being neglectfully avoided ephesians 4:26-27 ; this does not necessitate rash responses proverbs 12:18 . One who is loving looks for the right occasion, the appropriate time proverbs 15:23 , to speak the Truth to the other’s benefit.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
notes:
section 3
Factors of this godly timing i timothy 2:6 can be a combination of:
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.
(His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, Who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
my notes:
And Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother."
But the king of Israel said to him, "No; it is the LORD Who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab."
And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before Whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then He said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you...
my notes:
Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not He Who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He Who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
The LORD said to me: "Do not pray for the welfare of this people.
You shall say to them this word...
my notes:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.
my notes:
section 4
While we do not have the weight of fulfilling prophecy just so, which gives us a much greater swath of flexibility john 7:6 , the general rule of thumb is to read the time of the moment i chronicles 12:32 , the here and now ii corinthians 6:1-2 , not necessarily to manufacture the best timing or circumstances for the future; that is God’s domain. We are to be always prepared i peter 3:15-16 to speak Truth in the season and out with the Love that is exhibited in thoughtfully patient communication ii timothy 4:2 ii corinthians 5:13 . The question to answer: is now that time or not?
Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.
Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
If we are "out of our mind," as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
my notes:
Scripture quotations taken from one or more of the following versions as noted:
ESV = The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.
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NASB = NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright (C) 1960,1962,1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
NKJV = New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.