“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)
Yesterday, we talked about training ourselves to speak with, for, and of grace to the point where little pools of grace start to form on the floor around us. Paul also wants us to grab the salt shaker and douse our words with seasoning.
Salt does a few things. One is that it adds flavor. Salted words are easier to hear, to chew, to swallow. Learn to talk in a way that’s worth listening to. Don’t just say what everyone expects to hear; don’t just read the cultural script to blend in. And don’t just keep talking. Force your words to pass a value test before getting through the gate.
Salt is also a preservative. Before there was a fridge in every kitchen, food would be packed in salt to make it last longer.
Salted words won’t become worthless ten minutes after you say them. While speaking gracefully with unbelievers, say something worth listening to and speak words that have staying power beyond today’s weather, last night’s TV, and tomorrow’s schedule.
Think: What percentage of your words would you say are full of grace? What’s the opposite of speaking gracefully? What percentage of your words would you guess are actually worth listening to?
Pray: Ask God to help you to let your conversation be always full of grace and seasoned with salt.
Do: Notice what words come out of your face today (or through your fingers in texts and posts and emails). Flag a few that were really salty and graceful and mark any that should never have been set free.