Speech Seasoned with Grace
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Colossians 4:6 (CSB)
Your way of communicating has a significant impact on the world. People often judge our character and identity based on our spoken words, written messages, and responses to life’s moments. In Colossians 4:6, the apostle Paul urged the church to be mindful of their speech, ensuring it was gracious and seasoned with salt. As we reflect on this passage today, we should ask ourselves: Are our spoken and written words—through speech, texts, emails, and social media—gracious and seasoned with salt?
Seasoned with Grace. The apostle Paul instructed the Colossians to always speak graciously. He emphasized that all their words should be infused with grace, shaping their communication through the experience of Christ's grace. When our speech is covered by grace, we speak kindly because our words are influenced by the grace we receive from Christ. Such speech should always reflect truth, kindness, compassion, encouragement, and redemptiveness. Genuine grace transforms our words into acts of kindness and understanding.
Seasoned with Purity. Words that are gracious come from a redeemed heart and originate from purity. Purity here isn't about perfection but about genuine heart intentions. When we use seasoned words, they stem from a heart that seeks to lead others to Jesus and encourage their faith, not to harm. The heart's intention is focused on building up, not tearing down.
Seasoned with Wisdom. When believers use words seasoned with wisdom, they speak thoughtfully and discerningly. Such words arise when we are personally aware of our strengths and weaknesses in life. We understand the impact of our words and aim to use them to encourage others and further God's kingdom. The capacity to speak with wisdom develops as we remain guided and led by the Holy Spirit.
Living in the twenty-first century, we must realize that speech seasoned with grace extends beyond words alone. Every text and social media post we craft, send, or share either reflects grace or the flesh. When you think about your likes, shares, and posts, do people see Jesus or the world? Do they see grace or the flesh?
QUESTIONS
Are the words of my communication harsh and blunt or are they gracious and seasoned with salt?
If someone only had my words to judge Christ by – would they want more of him?
