What Language Do you Speak?

Have you ever thought about if people really understand you when you talk to them? Like it or not, we all filter things through our own cultural sieve, and things that don't go through the mesh of our filter will be strained out.

Paul was in Athens in the 17th Chapter of Acts, and had an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with a group of "intellectuals" who worshiped every god but the Right One. He spoke to them on their level using their logic and even used an empty shrine to their unknown god to share the gospel with them. Paul spoke to them in the language of their culture, and still did not compromise or change the message that Jesus id the only way. He didn't trash their way, he explained Jesus.

I wonder if we are learning from Paul. Rather than us tear down, we should build up Jesus and let Him to the remodeling. In 1 Cor. 9:20-23 Paul says that in order to gain people for the Lord, he spoke to people on the level they were on.

The world is looking and listening. The church is supposed to be where they can turn when they need answers. If we don't understand the question, or can't formulate an answer they understand, are we really doing what we were left here for?