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Colossians 4:6 - Speaking with Grace Seasoned with Salt.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.Colossians 4:6 (AMP) Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. WORD STUDY With Grace. To speak what is spiritual, wholesome, fitting, kind, sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle, truthful, loving, and thoughtful. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] Seasoned With Salt. Just as salt not only flavors but prevents corruption, the Christian's speech should act not only as a blessing to others but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] Salt renders food palatable. Here it is that which makes speech attractive, stimulating, and agreeable to listen to.... When the Christian opens his mouth, pleasant, helpful, edifying words should flow forth. [SDA Bible Commentary] The words of the Christian should carry with them the power and influence of Heaven. [SDA Bible Commentary] INTRODUCTION When we tell others about Christ, it is important always to be gracious in what we say. No matter how much sense the message makes, we lose our effectiveness if we are not courteous. Just as we like to be respected, we must respect others if we want them to listen to what we have to say. "Seasoned with salt" means that what we say should be "tasty" and should encourage further dialogue. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL I saw a post on social media from a woman who said she offered a cart to another shopper in a grocery store parking lot. The shopper kept walking, so the woman thought the person didn't hear her. The woman spoke a little louder and repeated herself. The person stopped and hurled some profanities at the woman, who was so shocked that she didn't say another word. Replies to the post told me a lot about the respondents. Some said they would have had a few choice words for the shopper. Others wondered why the woman couldn't have just been civil. Still others said they would have just let it go because that's the way people are today. Only a few said they would have prayed for the unkind shopper. I thought about how I would have reacted. Would I have been offended and said something mean-spirited under my breath - or worse, out loud? Would I have allowed the incident to ruin my day? Or would I have been Christlike and silently prayed for the shopper? To be honest, I've had all those reactions when I've been in similar situations. Jesus says we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). He wants me and my words to be an example of love, kindness, goodwill, compassion, and grace. If I'm sprinkling around those things, then I'm doing my job as a saltshaker. Barbranda Lumpkins Walls Faith Step: When you encounter unpleasant or ungrateful people, sprinkle them with grace as Jesus would. [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Colossians 4:6 - Speaking with Grace Seasoned with Salt. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230625-1137.html Mark 9:50 - How Salty Is Your Character, Your Influence? https://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181213-1035.html Ephesians 4:29 - Our Words Should Edify. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221009-0844.html Colossians 3:16 - How To Let The Word Of Christ Dwell In You Richly. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200424-0921.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |