For us, a lot depends on the mood of the table. If we're surrounded by quiet workmanlike players, we tend to wait for a good moment to say something to the group. In a sense, it's like poker strategy -- only in when to be relational, instead of when to make a big chip move.
If the table is more talkative, it's easier for us to join in. And it's usually easier for us to bring up topics related to faith and God....
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. - Ephesians 4:15
There are two parts to the instruction here. First, speaking the truth. We avoid lying -- either about our cards or our faith.
....Better to be poor than a liar. - Proverbs 19:22b
If someone figures out our hand and asks what we have, we have creative truthful non-responses ready. We might talk about the weather. We might say we have "something" - which could mean we have anything.
The second part is speaking in love. Some preachers talk tough about the need for people to repent of their sin, and we can understand that approach. At the poker table, we tend to define "in love" as easing our way up to a point. Jesus used both methods at times:
"I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." - John 4:17-18
Jesus "sprung the trap" on this woman's background after making three other comments to her. He didn't walk up with a pointed finger and immediately call a foul on her history. The Lord waited for the right moment to make the convicting point.
However you communicate with fellow poker players, may you do so in a truthful and loving way. We think that's the way which best reflects the example of Jesus Christ.
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