November 2, 2017

How We Speak

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  Col. 4:6

Paul writes, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”   This is not easy – but thanks be to God, through the Holy Spirit in us, it is possible.  Let’s consider these two qualities of speech: grace and salt.

What is grace?  Some define it as unmerited favor.  Others define grace as getting what we do not deserve.  Both are good working definitions.  Both emphasize that we do nothing to earn grace – it is a gift bestowed upon us.  As it relates to our conversations, we are to ask for words of grace to be in our mouths.  A great way of identifying with this is the Scripture from Phil. 2:3, “…let each esteem others better than himself.”  Adopt that mindset, Paul says, and put words to it.  Sometimes speech filled with grace is silence.  In some situations, there are no words of grace to be spoken – so grace expresses itself best with no words at all. 

What is salt?  Well, salt is considered as a preservative – especially from sin.  It is also classified as a protective agent.  Newborn babies were salted in ancient Israel to protect them from disease.  So, we can consider salt in our speech as a preservative and protective ingredient.  It will keep us from sin and it may help others from sinning, based on what words we use and how we use them.  Salt keeps us in truth – keeps our speech filled with truth – and truth comes from God’s word.