The Lodestar

Since believers in Christ are called to maintain good relationships with the non-Christian world, Paul advised the young congregation in Colossae to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders" (Col 4:5).

Speech is the most crucial aspect of the relationship between Christian community members and outsiders.

Speech must be gracious, otherwise pleasant. The expression "seasoned with salt" highlights that it must be palatable, as the right amount of salt in a dish does. Too much or too little salt makes any dish disgusting, but the right amount enhances its flavour.

When we write, we can revisit the sentence many times to choose the right words and tone. However, when we speak, we cannot retract what we said and revise it. But we can make our speech palatable by thinking before speaking, rehearsing what we say in our heads, choosing the right words, and presenting it acceptably.

Rash speech, which fails to consider the impact of what we say on our hearers, is damaging. We may spice up the tone and choose words to persuade people at any cost. Instead of salt, we add too much pepper, making it extremely hot. However, using caustic, unacceptable language to flog people is counterproductive, as it breaks, rather than builds, relationships. We lose rather than win people's hearts.

Isaiah confessed that his speech was unclean and that he lived among people with impure speech. "And I said: 'Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell amid a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!'" (Isa 6:5).

As his confession and subsequent cleansing of lips made him a powerful witness for the Lord, sanctifying our speech by the Holy Spirit is essential for effectively witnessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As you go about your day, pause before you speak. Ask the Holy Spirit to season your words with grace, wisdom, and kindness. Let your conversations reflect the heart of Christ, drawing others closer to Him through the way you speak. Sanctify your speech and become a witness the world cannot ignore.

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