Devotional
Seasoned with Salt: How Godly Speech Wins Hearts for Christ
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
By Paulson Pulikottil
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" (Colossians 4:5).
Speech is the most crucial aspect of the relationship between Christian community members and outsiders.
Speech must be gracious, that is pleasant. The expression "seasoned with salt" highlights that it must be palatable, like the right amount of salt in a dish. 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 we speak, rehearsing in our heads, choosing the right words, and presenting them acceptably.
Rash speech that 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 relationships rather than builds them. We lose people's hearts rather than win them.
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!'" (Isaiah 6:5).
Because his confession and subsequent cleansing of his lips made him a powerful witness for the Lord, the Holy Spirit's sanctifying of our speech 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 Christ's heart, drawing others closer to Him through the way you speak. Sanctify your speech and become a witness the world cannot ignore.
