“You’re a Christian, aren’t you?” The question caught me by surprise. I had never met the man before. In fact, he was more than a thousand miles away, and our conversation on the telephone was about an incorrect shipment of truck parts. I had called to inform him of the error and to make arrangements for exchanging those parts with the correct ones. “Why, yes, I am. But how did you know?” I asked. “Oh, I could tell,” he replied. 

Paul admonished the Philippian believers, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). The word conversation as used in the Bible has a broad meaning comparable to that of the modern term lifestyle. Although our conversation certainly includes our speech, it also includes our bearing, appearance, and values. All these traits are evident to the people we meet daily, and they testify to whatever master controls us. 

Attitude is an integral part of conversation, and the businessman’s question was a reminder that my own attitude is evident even over the telephone. Paul admonished Titus to use “sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:8). Our responses to the frustrating, difficult, and unpleasant situations we encounter from day to day are indicators that show what our heart’s conversation really is. It’s no merit to any of us to be pleasant and courteous only when things are going smoothly. 

Paul exhorted Timothy, “Be thou an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12)—a living representation of the indwelling Spirit of our Lord. As His children, let this be our goal. 

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness,
humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Colossians 3:12

~ Pete Lewis