Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Salt is useful as a taste enhancer or preservative. So when we see Paul say "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt," we see that when we talk with people about the mystery of the faith (the gospel), it's with grace, seasoned with salt.
The word "speech" is the Greek word "logos" which is the word.
Then the word "Grace" is- good will loving-kindness, favour of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.
(Olive Tree Enhanced Strong's Dictionary).
Paul taught Timothy that he should be an example to the believers in speech (see 1 Timothy 4:12).
How we speak to sinners and saints carry weight and we should be careful with the choice of words and the mannerism accompanying these words.
We mean what we say even when we try to "take it back."
Sometimes in the heat of the moment, we say things that's inappropriate. It becomes harmful to the hearer and it reveals our true character.
When it comes to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, we do not use words that's unScriptural. We don't change the gospel to be pleasing to the hearers, but we "speak the truth in love" (see Ephesians 4:15).
1 Peter 3:15-17 (NKJV) "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
We don't get angry or have an attitude. We lovingly share the truth.
We don't apologize for the truth either, but we loving give them the truth.
When we see people from the position of where we once were, that's the grace kicking in.
We remember when we were once sinners.
We were vile, vicious, and obnoxious.
And if we were to remember how our conduct and attitude was when someone shared the gospel, we would blush in shame. Now we are in Christ and with a very humble attitude, we now come with words of grace, seasoned with salt.
Our words to them will affect them whether they repent or not.
Sadly, many will turn away from the seasoned words that you gave them, but should they get saved as a result of repentance and placing faith on Christ alone, they will thank the Lord for the way you've present the gospel of Christ to them.
Telling sinners that if they don't repent and place faith on Christ alone, they will go to hell is not a lie.
It's speaking the truth in love, and it is words with grace, seasoned with salt.
Again, salt is a taste enhancer and preservative.
So mind your words when you share the mystery of the faith.
It carries into how we hold conversations with one another as believers as well.
In John 13:34-35 (NKJV) the Lord Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Finally, John shows the kind of heart attitude we must have with one another.
1 John 4:7-11 (NKJV) "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
"So let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt...."
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