Thought for Thursday
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6
Many years ago, I stopped putting salt on my tomatoes, because I found I was using the tomatoes merely as a vehicle for the salt. For a time, the tomatoes tasted bland without the salt, but after awhile, my re-educated tongue discovered that the tomatoes have plenty of flavour on their own without the salt. I have not salted my tomatoes since. However, there are some things that I will not eat without salt, primarily meat and fish. Why? because the salt makes the meat taste good; makes it acceptable, otherwise I would turn away from it. As our text reminds us today, our speech should also be seasoned with that which does not cause people to turn away from us.
One dear brother I know believes it is necessary whenever speaking to an unsaved person about spiritual things to impress on them that their sinfulness is taking them to hell. His blunt approach angered many, caused arguments, and turned many away from him. He insisted he was telling them the truth – and he was – but he was not seasoning his speech with salt. He insisted he was only being faithful to the Gospel message but his faithfulness generated very little interest in the Good News. Sometimes it is necessary to be blunt. But more often, better progress is possible by displaying the love of Christ than by declaring the judgment of God.
Our verse reminds us that our speech should always be gracious, just as our Saviour was always gracious. The multitude marveled at the gracious words that proceeded from His mouth. And they crowded to hear Him. They were drawn to Him by His speech because His words were seasoned with salt.
What reaction do you get when you witness for your Lord? How do people respond? Are you seasoning your words with salt – or pepper? – Jim MacIntosh